Sourcing Specialist Home

Main Purpose
Contribute towards the development of Sourcing and Supplier Strategy. Identify appropriate factories/suppliers/regions and manage the sourcing of product options aligned to the sourcing and product strategies.

Key Responsibilities
Contribute to the development of the Sourcing and Supplier Strategy

• Analyse and review Supplier performance scorecards (quality, OTIF, innovation and sustainability).
• Review trends on Supplier delivery to financial KPIs .
• Identify opportunities for new Suppliers to close Supplier gaps / risks .
• Consolidate inputs from Heads of Planning, Buying and Design on Product Category Strategy .
• Identify Suppliers that meet the Business Innovation and Sustainability targets .

Conduct Supplier Engagement, Communication and Performance Management

• Lead end-to-end Supplier onboarding, engagement, and communication processes .
• Create and issue requests for samples (only for Concept and Development Samples before costs are confirmed, and for In-Season Trade / Trend Updates).
• Mitigate any issues that may arise on the request and receipt of physical samples .
• Conduct Supplier Performance conversations, identify performance issues and implement corrective actions .
• Evaluate Supplier compliance with sustainability and ethics standards .

Conduct Costing and Supplier Negotiation

• Conduct product costings based on Tech Pack inputs from Technical Product Development .
• Ensure an in-dept understanding of the Product aesthetic and technical requirements
• Manage Requests for Quote.
• Conduct Supplier negotiations to ensure the achievement of required financial KPIs partner up with Buying on new Product Concepts / Volume Inputs / Inputs .
• Finalise cost, obtain approval on quotes and handover Formula / Development Style with Preferred Quote to Buying .

Perform Capacity Planning and Management throughout the Season

• Consolidate the required inputs from Planning .
• Perform Capacity Planning and ensure that volume flows and drops are successfully communicated with Suppliers .
• Continuously engage with Suppliers, track shipment and ensure that adjustments and updates are executed on during trade .

Manage Strategy Execution and Issue Resolution

• Implement and manage Seasonal Trading Plans in conjunction with Planning and Buying, and work with Suppliers to revise and update production plans .
• Monitor Supplier Strategy Execution, identify deviations from strategy, address issues with Supplier, Planning and Buying Teams.
• Oversee order management and product tracking, promptly communicating changes or delays to Group Planning and Buying Teams to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) targets .
• Participate in relevant Trade Meetings to gain insights into trading actions that need to be executed .

Key Competencies

• 8 years or more Buying/Sourcing/Technical retail experience in a retail environment.
• Homeware experience preferred.
• Relevant business degree / diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management
• Proven experience in Supplier negotiations
• Ability to travel both locally and internationally
• Supplier Management & Understanding of Imports and Supply Chain Logistics
• Production Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Commercial Acumen
• Order/contract management
• Project Management (running multiple seasons, priorities, WMC, Critical Path)
• Customer Centric
• Analytical
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Results Orientated
• Judgement & Decision Making
• Cross Functional Collaboration
• Strong Communication
• Highly Numerate & Analytical

As a proud South African brand, Woolworths is committed to transformation. Meeting our employment equity goals will be taken into account in our recruitment decisions.

If you are interested in the above position, please send your CV to recruitmentFBH@woolworths.co.za stating clearly the position you are applying for.