Senior Manager, Global Procurement - Women Knits & Woven Tops

Accountabilities

Global Procurement Strategy: Define and execute short- and long-term procurement strategies for women's knitwear and woven tops, establishing commercial roadmaps, supplier distribution plans, and measurable cost and margin improvement targets aligned with business growth.
Cost Optimization and Savings: Drive ambitious product cost reductions while protecting quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing standards. Target approximately 700 basis points of product cost reduction over the next 12 months through strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and operational efficiency.
RFP Management and Supplier Negotiations: Lead end-to-end request-for-proposal processes, from supplier identification and competitive bidding to commercial evaluation and contract awards. Establish repeatable negotiation frameworks that deliver immediate savings and sustainable long-term cost advantages.
Clean-Sheet Costing and Buy Plan Governance: Develop and apply component-level clean-sheet cost models to establish transparent pricing benchmarks. Review buy plans, evaluate product margins, and identify opportunities to bring costs closer to should-cost targets.
Upstream Material Sourcing: Partner with material managers, sourcing teams, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to secure competitive pricing and reliable availability of fabrics, yarns, fibers, trims, and other critical inputs. Ensure upstream material benefits are reflected in finished-goods costing.
Scale Costing and Margin Management: Establish launch-costing benchmarks and structured renegotiation schedules to capture improved pricing as product volumes grow. Provide merchandising teams with realistic scale-cost targets and oversee buy plan margin reviews to support business objectives.
Product Development Collaboration: Integrate material availability, cost optimization, and sourcing considerations into early-stage product design and development. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth transitions from raw materials to finished products.
Supply Chain Innovation and Value Creation: Identify opportunities for vertical integration, supplier consolidation, strategic commodity purchasing, and alternative sourcing models. Develop partnerships across mills, manufacturers, and raw material producers to strengthen supply continuity and create additional financial value.
AI and Procurement Technology: Collaborate with technology teams to integrate procurement workflows into vendor management and product catalog platforms. Help develop AI-powered agents and scenario analysis capabilities to automate RFP processes, improve sourcing decisions, and enhance procurement efficiency.
Supplier Performance and Sustainability: Build strong, transparent relationships with manufacturing partners, promote competitive and mutually beneficial commercial terms, and align sourcing decisions with quality, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Requirements
Professional Experience: 12–15 years of experience in global procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably within the retail apparel industry.
Category Expertise: Strong understanding of women's knitwear and woven apparel, including raw material sourcing, garment manufacturing, production processes, and finished-goods costing.
Strategic Sourcing and RFPs: Proven track record of managing competitive bidding processes and negotiating commercial agreements with international manufacturing partners.
Cost Engineering: Hands-on experience developing and applying clean-sheet costing models, analyzing component-level costs, evaluating supplier quotations, and establishing should-cost benchmarks.
Commercial Acumen: Excellent negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver measurable savings, improve margins, and develop sustainable supplier partnerships.
Analytical Capabilities: Strong quantitative and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use cost models, data analysis, and scenario planning to guide procurement decisions.
Supply Chain and Material Knowledge: Experience with upstream sourcing, raw material availability, manufacturing efficiency, consumption analysis, supplier consolidation, and commodity price fluctuations.
Technology and AI: Technical aptitude for using AI-powered platforms, large language models (LLMs), and digital tools to automate procurement workflows, conduct scenario analysis, and improve operational performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with merchandising, materials, sourcing, production, and technology teams to align commercial priorities with operational requirements.
Education: Bachelor's degree required; an MBA or other advanced degree is an advantage.
Leadership and Communication: Strong stakeholder management, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence senior decision-makers, challenge existing practices, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Benefits
Opportunity to lead global procurement strategy for key women's apparel categories and directly influence business performance.
Significant ownership of cost optimization, supplier negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
The opportunity to develop innovative sourcing models and create value across the supply chain.
Exposure to AI-powered procurement technology, advanced analytics, and process automation.
Collaboration with international manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams.
The opportunity to contribute to more sustainable sourcing practices and improved product accessibility.
Potential for professional development and expanded strategic leadership responsibilities as the business grows.