Role summary
We’re hiring a hands-on senior leader to own sourcing, product development, and costing for our apparel business serving major U.S. retailers. This role leads commercial negotiations with vendors, drives cost-down strategies, manages end-to-end development from concept to retail-ready samples, and partners closely with Technical Design and Merchandising to ensure fit, specs, manufacturability, and margin targets. You’ll work across internal teams and with Asian suppliers to deliver profitable, on-time assortments.

Key responsibilities

• Sourcing strategy: Identify, vet, and manage factory partners and material suppliers to secure capacity, capability, and commercial terms that meet margin and quality targets.
• Costing & commercial management: Develop and maintain product cost models, benchmark costs, own landed cost and margin analyses, and lead negotiations to meet financial targets.
• Product development ownership: Manage concept-to-sample cycles, prioritize assortments, create/approve tech packs in coordination with Technical Design, run fit sessions, and finalize garments for commercial release.
• Cross-functional partnership: Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Finance to align assortment calendars, costing assumptions, and commercial objectives.
• Vendor performance & relationship management: Maintain supplier scorecards (on-time, cost, quality), lead performance reviews and remediation, and build strong supplier relationships through regular engagement and travel.
• Process & systems improvement: Lead standardization of tech-packs, costing templates, and supplier communications; recommend/implement PLM/ERP best practices.
• Team leadership: Coach and scale a small, high-performing team responsible for sourcing, development, and costing activities; set priorities and provide regular updates to leadership.
• Travel: Frequent travel to Asia and periodic domestic travel to meet retail partners and internal stakeholders.

Success measures

• Achievement of target costs and margin across assortments.
• Accuracy and timeliness of cost models and landed cost analyses.
• Development lead times (concept to retail-ready sample) and adherence to launch schedules.
• Improvements in vendor scorecard metrics (on-time, quality, cost).
• Reduction in commercial rework due to specification or costing errors.
• Number and strength of vetted supplier relationships that support capacity and flexibility needs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in apparel sourcing, product development, and costing with progressive leadership responsibility (senior director or similar preferred).
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and track record negotiating with factories and suppliers in Asia.
• Deep hands-on experience in cost modeling, landed cost calculation, and margin management for major retail accounts.
• Strong product development background: tech packs, fit sessions, materials, constructions, and quality expectations.
• Experience working with U.S. retailers (Target, Walmart, Macy’s) strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and scale small teams, set priorities, and operate independently in a fast-growing environment.
• Excellent English language skills — both written and spoken — to effectively communicate with U.S. retail partners and global teammates.
• Excellent communication skills, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel frequently to suppliers in Asia and domestically as required.

Working environment & culture

• We value independent, self-motivated contributors who take ownership and move quickly, while thriving in a collaborative culture where colleagues support each other to get the job done.
• Casual, flexible working environment focused on results rather than rigid formality.
• Strong global team connections and regular cross-office collaboration with exposure to senior leadership.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision).
• Performance-based bonus opportunities. • Generous paid time off, holidays, and sick leave.
• Flexible hours and remote work options when role permits.
• Business travel to Asia and the U.S.; opportunities to visit factories and meet retail partners.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities within an established China-headquartered company scaling in the U.S. market.
• Relocation/visa support as needed for the right candidate (role-dependent).