Sourcing Manager - Upholstery Fabrics

Your challenge and key responsibilities

Global Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and implement a global sourcing strategy for upholstery fabrics that supports the company’s quality, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Identify and build strong relationships with key suppliers, including mills, finishing houses and other fabric-related vendors.
• Analyze market trends and emerging technologies to source innovative fabrics that meet design and functional requirements.

Supplier Management

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, lead times and terms with suppliers to achieve the best value for the company.
• Monitor supplier performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery schedules, and ethical practices.

Product Development

• Work closely with the sales and design teams to develop fabrics that align with product specifications and aesthetic goals.
• Ensure that new product development timelines are adhered to, coordinating with all relevant teams and hubs to manage and track progress.
• Act as central point of contact for all matters related to the product portfolio, including updates, changes, and article phase-outs.
• Provide technical expertise on fabric properties, including durability and sustainability.

Cost Management

• Implement cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, and supply chain optimization.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate risks related to supplier dependency, geopolitical factors, and market volatility.

Sustainability and Compliance

• Lead initiatives to source eco-friendly fabrics and work with suppliers to reduce environmental impact.
• Ensure all sourced materials comply with industry regulations and company policies, including sustainability and ethical sourcing standards.

Inventory management

• Oversee inventory planning and optimization to ensure that stock levels meet demand without excess or shortages.
• A dedicated team member handles the daily operational tasks.

Data management

• Supervise the accurate entry of all technical data and cost prices into the ERP systems, ensuring that all information is correctly inputted and up-to-date.

Quality assurance / claim handling

• Oversee the evaluation of claims to determine their validity, ensuring thorough investigation and accurate decision-making.
• A dedicated team member handles the daily operational tasks. You step in in case of escalated claims and disputes, working to resolve issues in a manner that is fair to both the customer and the company.

Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor a team of sourcing, inventory and quality professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Set performance goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional development.
• Work together with peers in other hubs to standardize and improve.

Your profile

• A minimum of 10-15 years of experience in global sourcing, supplier management, inventory management, and quality assurance within the textile, upholstery, or a related industry.
• Proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams and managing complex global supply chains.
• Extensive experience in negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and implementing cost-saving initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in data management.Ability to travel internationally as required by the role: 4-6 trips to Asia (mainly China) per year (Averagely 7-10 days), 1-2 trips to USA per year (Averagely 5-7 days), 2-4 shorter trips to (trend) shows within Europe (Averagely 2-5 days)