Associate Sourcing Manager-Responsible Sourcing & Production

About the Role & Team

The Associate Sourcing Manager (ASM), Responsible Sourcing & Production Management will work in partnership with the Senior Manager and Manager, Responsible Sourcing & Production Management to stand up a new organization, passionate about Responsible Sourcing and Production Management. This role will also be a driver within the production management product lifecycle, which will work in partnership with business partners in Product Development, Planning and Global Sourcing. This will be accomplished by using manufacturing data to measure performance to establish KPI’s that will drive continuous improvement in ordering, manufacturing and quality. This role will also partner in the execution of long-term strategies to achieve Disney’s Sustainability and Transparency goals, while continuing to drive a more diverse supplier base. Come be part of this dynamic team!

What You Will Do

You will drive the business by using data and analytics to drive strategies to increase efficiency across all markets and distribution channels (owned & operated retail and wholesale). The ASM, Responsible Sourcing & Production Management will partner with nearly 100 team members in 6 countries managing 600+ suppliers which provides vertically developed merchandise for Parks & Resorts, shopDisney.com, and our wholesale partners worldwide.

You will report to the Senior Manager and/or Manager, Responsible Sourcing & Production Management. The position may require travel domestically and internationally (typically less than 10%; as needed only).

This position will be located in Kissimmee, Fl.

Production Management

• Manage production management and responsible sourcing efforts for multiple categories within a division. Work with suppliers to ensure key landmarks are met, to include:
• Aggregation and acceptance of orders across all business units
• Production tracking and reporting
• In season management to changing business needs
• Implement effective handoffs between Development Sourcing and Responsible Sourcing/Production at time of PO.
• Manage and effectively communicate vendor T&A/production back-off timelines, T&A weekly progress reporting, and shipment troubleshooting/communication to affected regions.
• Own in season push/chase/cancel requests and troubleshoot and communicate any production delays and challenges.
• Evaluate initial ways of working and develop plans for efficiency in monitoring data and communicating with partners that are consistent across the team.
• Prepare standard and/or any ad-hoc reports as requested (time and action calendars, production timelines, status updates, etc.).
• Implement and supervise progress on strategic sourcing initiatives, i.e. Source Country Diversification, Sustainability & Supply Chain Transparency.
• Own evaluating suppliers through the PO/production process. Partner with the Development Sourcing team will to determine long-term strategies and supplier positioning for the business.

Sourcing

• Contribute to sourcing strategies that support the company goals; Source Country Diversification, Sustainability and Supply Chain Transparency.
• Guide and facilitate consistent strategies that align with overall Disney Experiences and Parks Retail business priorities.
• Seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to facilitate product development innovation

Collaboration and Communication

• Use knowledge of our products to manage the needs of diverse partners and ensure collaboration with cross-functional teams and vendors

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 3+ years related experience preferably in specialty retail or consumer products
• Exposure to Sourcing & Production of multiple product categories (preferred)
• Proven track record of effectively communicating with manufacturers
• Detail oriented and outstanding organization skills
• Ability to manage multiple SKU’s and timelines in a fast-paced environment
• Experience gaining credibility and trust with diverse partners
• Ability to communicate at all levels
• Achieve continuous improvement and a focus on efficiency and scale
• Ability and desire to be flexible, adapt to change and grow with organization

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Product Development, Product Design, Business or Supply Chain preferred