JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Merchandiser is responsible for executing Category directives in their focus country. They are the liaison between the San Francisco based team and the factories, managing seasonal developments, vendor relations, Time & Action (T&A) and key communications. They work in conjunction with WSI cross functional teams to support the US based team and factory needs.
JOB CONTENT AND DUTIES:
1. Product Development:
- Work with Line Manager on category strategy to ensure right product, right vendor
- Fully versed on Time & Action (T&A) master calendar and all key dates. Alert Sourcing team when falling off calendar.
- Manage Testing of products with factories and protocol adherence.
- Communicate target costs and sample ETD to vendors, and follow up on weekly progress
- Communicate program approval to vendors and ensure that the factory has the correct approved sample before they go into production
- Troubleshoot any issues that come up in production and work with factory to ensure on-time delivery and notify Sourcing team if there are any major delays.
2. Negotiate costs and MOQs
- Negotiate with factories to achieve target costs for seasonal developments.
- Obtain agreement on initial and reorder Minimum of Quantity (MOQs).
- Address factory up-charges as they arise and work with the brand to drive agreements.
3. Vendor relations and capacity management
- Facilitate On-boarding of new vendors.
- Create strong relationships with all our key vendors.
- Plan and create strategic vendor development to establish long term business growth.
- Stay on top of factory issues (strikes, holidays, etc) and communicate as needed to the SF team.
4. Sourcing
- Source new products /factories via trade shows and market contacts.
- Understand where our competitors are producing their product and the capabilities of all our factories.
5. Development Trips
- Coordinate development trips with corporate sourcing team and the vendors.
- Prepare all documents and samples for team’s visit.
6. Collaborate with SCO and QA teams
- Monitor the inspection schedule across factories together with SCO and QA teams.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree is required
- Minimum 6 years of practical experience in Furniture products
- Knowledge of vendor sourcing, product development and cost negotiation
- Basic knowledge of Furniture manufacturing process
- Management experience would be an advantage
COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Technical & Language Proficiency
- Advanced computer skills
- Full professional proficiency in English
- Proficiency in Chinese is an advantage
Communication & Presentation
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication
- Strong presentation proficiency
Negotiation & Costing
- Expertise in costing discussions
- Skilled negotiation with stakeholders
Vendor Management
- Factory evaluation capability
- Vendor engagement and relationship management
- Capacity management experience
Organizational & Analytical Skills
- Strong prioritization and organizational ability
- Attention to detail and accuracy in execution
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
Teamwork & Leadership
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
- Project management and leadership competence
- Direction-setting and decision-making capability
Service Orientation & Interpersonal Skills
- Customer-focused mindset
- Positive interpersonal relationship building
- Professional maturity and resilience under pressure
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, United Kingdom and the rest of the world with franchise partnerships. Our family of brands are Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow. Our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities remains as our core values.
Today, we are a USD 8.7 billion company, with a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas. The Global team is an inclusive employer where we recruit and provide employees with fair opportunities on the basis of merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.
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