Product Sourcing Specialist + Inventory Management

ROLE

The Product Sourcing Specialist + Inventory Management role is to work with the Product Development team members to create and order new products for the company. In addition, they will ensure we are getting reorders of existing products on time and with the best prices possible.
Quickly facilitating the delivery of new product samples so we can complete our Product Pipeline is an essential part of the Product Sourcing role. You must also find and build long-term relationships with product suppliers that can yield increasing profits over time.
This role will work closely with both the Operations and Brand management teams to ensure inventory is always in stock, not overstocked, and that our product concepts are created in the most cost-efficient way possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best pricing and quality possible for all products.
• Hold the supplier accountable to producing high quality products that will enhance the buying experience of our customer.
• Convey the need to build a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with each factory to ensure a long-lasting business relationship.
• Use data and spreadsheets to negotiate payment terms with suppliers that all the company to purchase more inventory.
• Keep accurate records of samples and communicating with the factories on which samples are moving to production
• Updating the product pipeline with due dates and keeping the team up to date.
• Forwarding samples to other team members as needed
• Helping out with administrational tasks around inventory management and PO management
• Arranging the most cost-effective couriers for samples and shipments
• Maintain friendly relations with suppliers and keep our company at the top of the list for priority during busy times of the year (CNY, Q4, peak season)
• Relay any other potential product opportunities that existing factories offer to the Product Development team to determine if they are viable.
• Work with the Product Development team to validate all associated costs of product opportunities.
• Verify average unit and shipping costs per SKU for use by the wider team
• Seek out new factories to work with and ensure we can maintain or increase the same quality products while benefiting from lower pricing
• Initiate approved payments to suppliers for inventory and samples
• Validate that PO’s are accurate based on the agreements and samples we are having mass produced
• Keep “Golden Samples” with you, at the factories, and with our inspection companies for ensuring consistent quality across orders
• Work with inspection companies and the factory to ensure all orders are inspected for top quality
• Perform inventory management to place orders on time and ensure payments are made to suppliers so production can begin then relay this information to the inventory manager for documentation
• Understanding factories production capabilities and lead times and implementing plans to mitigate risk
• “Golden Samples” are left with the factory, with our inspection company, with the product sourcing agent and also at the company’s address with photos and/or videos showing exactly what is expected of the factory to deliver.

RESULTS
• Customers on Amazon leave 5 star reviews because the quality of our products is top-notch
• Suppliers manufacture our products on time and with a consistent standard of high quality
• Order inspections are routinely carried out and we never have an issue with the quality of products delivered to the customer
• Samples are ordered, inspected, and delivered to the Product Developers so we can make the necessary adjustments to create a high quality product that improves the lives of our customers
• Mutually beneficial relationships are established with all manufactures, trading companies, freight forwarders, and warehouses.
• Negotiations with suppliers creates a positive ROI for the company
• Golden Samples are updated as needed as we update our products over time
• Our inventory management software is well-maintained and provides clarity into where our inventory is located and its associated costs
• Updates to inventory status are made whenever inventory is purchased, shipped, or moved across warehouses.
• Forecasts for future purchases are maintained and updated weekly
• We are 100% clear on the whereabouts of our inventory at all times

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in working within a sourcing agent setting
• Strong time management skills
• Organized and able to handle the development of multiple products from multiple factories simultaneously
• A keen eye for detail
• An understanding of how the Chinese manufacturing industry works
• Able to communicate with China during Chinese working hours
• Must have current or prior experience managing inventory for an e-commerce company (Preferably Amazon private label)
• Excellent proficiency in English (Both spoken and written).
• Ability to plan and execute strategies independently that align with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Proficiency in Slack, Excel, Google, Office, Loom.