Senior Sourcing Manager

The Senior Sourcing Manager supports the strategic management of multiple product classifications. He/she partners with the cross functional team (Merchandising, Design) and external vendor partners to develop, source, and place programs that achieve financial goals and support the brand. The Senior Product Manager proactively seeks opportunities to leverage resources across categories and businesses and drive operational efficiency and standardization.

• Support the development, sourcing, and placement of programs on a seasonal basis, emphasizing quality and maintaining mark-on plans.
• Supports partnerships with cross functional merchant and design departments to develop long term strategies to achieve the goals of the business within the parameters of cost targets and delivery schedules.
• Support and participate in all relevant company wide initiatives as they arise.  Lead team in adjusting to changing priorities.
• Partner with merchandising to maintain an awareness of key items and overall assortment across classifications.  
• Partner with design to gain an understanding of seasonal concepts and design direction across classifications.
• Support team in the resolution of complex development, shipping, and delivery issues while upholding internal and external partnerships.
• Analyze processes, resources, and techniques across classifications and create plans to drive consistency and standardization.
• Partner with Fabric development team and design to conduct fabric and technique research.
• Manage deadlines in accordance with the corporate calendar. Find creative solutions to calendar issues throughout the production process.
• Investigate ways to shorten lead-times and increase flexibility.
• Communicate and enforce Aeropostale’s production, quality, and delivery requirements with all team members and suppliers.

• 8+ years of experience in Production/Product Development (Specialty Retailer experience preferred, but not required)
• Clear and thorough understanding of the product development and approval process
• Excellent leadership, organizational and communication skills
• Retail math skills
• Cost negotiation skills across wide range of categories and materials

• Proficiency in MS Office, with a strong emphasis on Excel and Word
• Ability to multi-task and shift priorities
• Flexible, organized, team player
• Denim and woven product category experience