Vice President Product Development and Sourcing

Profile

The VP, Product Development and Sourcing, will play a strategic leadership role responsible for business growth by supporting new opportunities to increase product production volumes; supporting the growth and expansion of all company owned, licensed and exclusive brand products produced, as well as increasing volumes for products produced for vendor partners. As a member of the Sourcing and Production leadership team, this role will add strategic value by anticipating and planning for the future needs of the business. This collaborative leader will work seamlessly with cross-functional peers to collaborate on growth plans and overcome obstacles. Overall, this role is expected to build the global sourcing, development and production organization into one that is responsive to business opportunities, as well as increasing business gross margins, as the company continues to grow our owned and produced brands.

 

Reports to Reports to: SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Enhance the global sourcing strategy and vision; help create a strong vendor base that will increase production capacity, expand current category production, and expand factory/vendor geographies while maintaining product quality and sustainability.

• Identify short- and long-term growth opportunities, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data; support new merchandising strategies to grow production volumes.

• Ensure overall business development goals, forecasting, and planning are aligned with, and meet Company objectives.

• Evaluate and recommend strategic opportunities/initiatives to Sourcing leadership utilizing current and emerging business models, assessing short-term and long-term industry and strategic considerations.

• Source, cultivate, negotiate, and structure new business partnerships.

• Create strategic and tactical growth plans to identify, target, and secure new business and achieve DBI's goals.

• Collaborate with business unit leadership, functional teams, and sales / account management teams to achieve integrated sales goals.

• Identify new global vendor and factory relationships to enhance margins and reduce lead times in alignment with DBI's values and company goals.

• Help the CSCO and SVP Global Sourcing, to develop organizational excellence within the Sourcing and Production infrastructure, with a focus on team skills to support product creation, execution and vendor strategies.

• Identify Sourcing and mill direct opportunities, to align with fabrications/raw materials expectations by classification and overall brand goals.

• Vendor Performance and Compliance

• Establish and develop new relationships and expectations with international vendors to enhance DBI's global sourcing strategy; creating diverse, multi-national relationships to support growth.

• Work with leaders in Merchandising, Owned & Exclusive Brands, and Sales to determine new production needs and identify and vet vendors to meet needs.

• In partnership with the SVP, Global Sourcing, participate in the evaluation and selection process of all new vendors based on costing, quality, quantity, sustainability, and aesthetic/technical viability for existing and emerging product needs; identify vendor capabilities and core competencies to support the company's needs.

• Uphold DBI's Vendor Code of Conduct expectations and its impacts on our daily decision making. Confirm any new suppliers we work with are in compliance.

• Travel: Travel is required up to 30% of the time for short or extended periods, both internationally and domestic. Anticipate two - three trips per year to visit vendor/factories with additional travel to resolve issues, as needed. Must hold a valid Passport.

 

Required Skills:

• High business acumen with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills that leverage quantitative and qualitative data

• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail • Possess excellent interpersonal, listening, verbal, presentation, and written communication skills

• Can lead, develop, and manage multiple teams and projects in a remote capacity

• Ability to prioritize and manage flexible workload while maintaining strategic alignment crossfunctionally and advancing projects to meet deadlines

• Demonstrates strong communication skills; possesses a positive attitude, flexible mindset, and the ability to build strong working relationships remotely

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Experience: 

• 15 plus years of experience in global sourcing within Footwear and Accessories. Direct sourcing experience in Asia and Central America.

• Deep understanding of and experience with global trade in Footwear.

• Proven track record in scaling and growing businesses.

• Experience traveling and working directly with vendors overseas.

• Multi-cultural international business experience.

• Solid technical knowledge of raw material manufacturing, footwear manufacturing and total cost.

• Solid understanding of fit and design modifications that affect cost.

• In-depth knowledge of the footwear retail industry.

• In-depth knowledge of logistical operations.

 

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required

• Master's preferred.

Company info

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