Temporary Sourcing Lead

About the Organization

Since 1981, Outdoor Research has been building award-winning outdoor clothing and gear. We stand behind every product we make with the Outdoor Research Infinite Guarantee® warranty. Find out how we were born from our founder Ron Gregg's research-led approach to problem solving, and discover the origins of our first products in Our Story. Discover our roots in U.S. manufacturing, our legacy in Made in the USA tactical gloves, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the development of face masks and medical-grade personal protective equipment in Protection. Learn about our product processes using recycled materials, how we enforce the safety and wellbeing of our workplaces, and our commitment to all people and the planet in Responsibility. Meet some of our community members who work to create safe, accessible, and equitable outdoor spaces in our Community Partnerships and our Ambassadors. We'd be thrilled to have you join the team and find your Career at Outdoor Research.

Outdoor Research Values

• Curiosity: We are constantly striving to learn and improve ourselves. In our products, as a brand, as a team, and as individuals.
• Passion: We love what we do and take pride in sharing our work with others.
• Innovation: We are complex problem solvers.
• Collaboration: We are better together.
• Community: We embrace the collective impact we can have from our diverse perspectives; on each other, society, and our environment.

Position Temporary Sourcing Lead

Description

Position: Temporary Full-Time, Hybrid, 3 days in-office, 3 - 6 month employee leave coverage.

Rate: $38.46 per hour

About this role

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Sourcing and Quality, the Temporary SourcingLead will be working closely with the Product Team across all categories and will be responsible for supporting the finished goods vendor space. Our vendor partners are very important to us. This role will also execute sourcing and costing strategies to help deliver excellent product.

What you will do

• Work cross functionally with Product Managers, Tech Design, Designers, Quality and Planning
• Develop and build relationship with vendors to drive business objectives
• Manage vendor allocations and capability matrices to ensure the right product is at the right factory
• Communication internally and externally as needed by the Director and the business
• Set vendor expectations, manage calendars and ensure seasonal calendar timelines are met
• Support with cost tracking, engineered costing, and cost data
• Negotiate directly with Vendors and manage risk to cost
• Attending fittings and support the Product Team to make cost-effective decisions
• Monitor and evaluate vendor performance seasonally
• Problem-solve with Vendors and the Product Team when issues arise
• Flexible schedule to take Vendor calls after or before normal work hours due to time zone restrictions
• Lead projects around process efficiency, costing tools, manufacturing improvements, sourcing strategy, etc.
• Collaborate with all departments on various projects, SMUs, and other support as needed.

Position Requirements

What you should bring to the table

• A passion for the outdoors
• A can-do, positive attitude with a collaborative mindset
• People call you a "team player," a "go-getter," and a "great listener"
• The ability to adapt and respond with a sense of urgency
• Interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust, resulting in effective work relationships
• 3-4 years of similar work experience
• Knowledge of product team roles in the outdoor/fashion industry
• Knowledge of the apparel/accessories commercialization and manufacturing processes
• Experience visiting off-shore factories
• In-depth knowledge of the apparel manufacturing process
• Comfortable with coaching, mentoring & providing feedback for growth
• Possess confidence in your strengths, take on challenges and prefer negotiating face to face
• Knowledge of labor laws in various apparel and accessories manufacturing countries
• Proficiencies in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and above all, Excel
• Preference goes to those who have familiarity with any of the following: patterns, industry standards, best practices, quality expectations and compliance regulations, fluency in another language

Nice to Have Experience:

• Extensive Excel or Power BI skills such as building dashboards
• Process modernization, Familiarity with AI - Copilot
• Centric PLM experience, mastery a bonus

What do we bring to the table?

• Transportation benefits
• PSST
• Product discounts

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Location

Seattle, WA

EOE Statement OR is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in an unlawful manner. Employment-related decisions are made based on an individual’s qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or military status, genetic information, political ideology or other applicable protected class status. This commitment extends to all employment practices including selection, hiring, placement, recruitment advertising, promotion or transfer, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, demotion, layoff, or separation. All employment decisions are based upon the qualifications of the individual and the job requirements. OR supports this commitment with an affirmative action program which is updated annually. The objectives of the affirmative action program are to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of our local community. We fully support affirmative action to include women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities throughout our workforce. The OR affirmative action program is available for review by all employees and is maintained in the Human Resources Department.

This position is currently accepting applications.