Sourcing Manager - Global Sourcing/Product Development

Job ID 10106301 Location Kissimmee, Florida, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Dec. 06, 2024

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Job Summary:

Sourcing Manager- Global Sourcing/Product Development

About the Role & Team

The Sourcing Manager, Global Sourcing and Product Development drives product development and sourcing strategies for a sophisticated category or portfolio of product categories across all markets and distribution channels worldwide (Disney stores, shopDisney.com, Theme Parks & Resorts and global Shop-In-Shop retail partners)! We are responsible for developing short and long range global, omni-channel supplier tactics to support distribution of a global product line while balancing need for localization and speed-to-market.

The Sourcing Manager will also shepherd the product development and sampling process from concept through Final Line Review in close partnership with Product Design and Merchandising.

What Will You Do?

Sourcing Strategy

Drive short range category supplier strategies in partnership with DGS and Production/Responsible Sourcing teams.
Identify needs for new suppliers as applicable, partner with DGS and Responsible Sourcing to identify and vet potential new partners, including leading costing and sampling exercises. Work with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met.
Stay current on the macro-economic and geo-political impacts to cost and delivery - currency fluctuations, commodity rates, labor rates, trade agreements and disputes, environmental policies, etc.
Support and implement Sourcing strategies that support global distribution while balancing localization and/or parallel sourcing and speed-to-market needs.
Implement Sourcing strategies that improve profitability and minimize risk with a goal of year-over-year improvement.
Stay ahead of regulatory changes that impact the global marketplace, particularly in the space of product quality and sustainability.

Product Development & Costing (Cross functional partnership with Product Design, and Merchandising)

Partner with Manager Sourcing, Responsible Sourcing, Production, and Trade Compliance to build and present the seasonal Sourcing Kick-off presentation inclusive of macro-economic/trade updates and costing forecasts.
Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers.
Drive material platforming and recommend balanced product engineering solutions to ensure sustainability goals are met.
Partner with Product Design to lead product finalization including final development samples, costing, and vendor placement to ensure timely handoff to Production to support established in-store and online launch dates.
Optimize global merchandise efficiency and profitability by identifying and mitigating cost drivers.

Productivity and Process

Supervise all samples and shepherd approvals up until an approved pre-pro sample. Track progress of development and sampling against key timeline dates through daily/weekly maintenance of the Development Tracking Report.
Prepare standard and/or any ad-hoc reports as requested (time & action calendars, status updates, etc.).
Responsible for ensuring products meet established standards for safety and quality in all intended sale markets, including supervising quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) with product integrity partners.
Send status report to Production team with all confirmed information and any late/pending information.

Collaboration & Communication

Develop and cultivate positive relationships with outstanding suppliers and across TWDC and with the global merchant, Design, Production, Buying and Planning teams as they pertain to the sourcing and development of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise.
Contact suppliers/vendors to follow up and verify the accuracy of provided data, resolve routine issues, and ensure supplier alignment with Disney processes and procedures.
Communicate development and sampling status to Merchandising and Design during weekly cross-functional meetings and as required.
Attend quarterly product strategy meetings to develop sourcing strategies around key initiatives.
Leverage knowledge of the Company's products and services to handle the needs of diverse collaborators and ensure effective collaboration with cross-functional partners and vendors.

Leadership

As project manager, led by example as a key change agent; build a culture that champions collaboration, and innovation while driving accountability to results.
Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
Collaborate and lead cross-functional team members through all aspects of supplier strategy, cost negotiation, placement, product development, product safety/quality and timely deliveries.

Required Qualifications & Skills

5 years or more of dynamic experience in Product Development/Design, Merchandising, or Sourcing for specialty retail or consumer products in a global, omni-channel environment.
Confirmed understanding of the omni-channel retail marketplace globally with experience in Sourcing and/or Product Development of multiple product categories. Relevant category experience in a Sourcing, Product Development, or Merchandising role is a requirement.
Passion for product creation and item detail.
Command of manufacturing processes, materialization, and the key drivers of cost in development.
Perform skills and experience to drive execution against a financial plan.
Partner with vendor and material innovation
Perform feasibility assessments
Provide suggestions on design for manufacturing
Cost analysis and estimates and supplier negotiations
Lead and synthesize vendor communication
Handle the sampling process and approve development sample and final cost
Vendor placement by Final Line Review

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising/Product Development/Design, Retail Management, General/International Business, Supply Chain, or related experience

Additional Information

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life! This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Merchandise Sourcing & Dist., LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Disney Merchandise Sourcing & Dist., LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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