Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Director of Sourcing and Manufacturing Job in Burlington, VT

At prAna, we believe in adventure for all, where everyone can stay active in their own unique way and always look good doing it. We strive to responsibly outfit your adventures with respect for the planet and its people. Whether youre exploring the outdoors, commuting to work or practicing in the studio, rest assured weve been there. Weve used these moments to design our products, incorporating innovative and sustainable fabrics and practices to improve performance and lessen our impact on the planet.Overview of the PositionThe head of Sourcing, Manufacturing and Quality Assurance is a role that creates consumer value by enabling the successful creation and on time delivery of prAna brand products into the marketplace. The role will be responsible for providing leadership, strategy, and the execution necessary to ensure the prAna brand is set up for success and that all facets of our sourcing, manufacturing, costing, and quality assurance is optimized. Will work with global customs and trade, logistics and distribution, supply & demand planning, inventory control, to meet prAnas goals. The role will mentor and develop teams, both direct and indirect reports. And lastly, the role will play a critical role in advancing our efforts related to sustainability and social responsibility.Utilizing the Long-range plan and overall brand strategy, you will lead efforts to grow the brand while ensuring financial strength, meeting operating profit goals, and overall operational excellence. You will report directly to the prAna Brand President and dotted line report into the VP of Apparel Sourcing & Manufacturing at CSC. You will have a heavily matrixed role working collaboratively with various functions of the CSC team. You will play an instrumental role in creating a highly efficient matrixed organization for all of the functions listed above, including creating more efficient processes, communication streams, empowerment, and accountabilities of all teams.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

prAna Brand Sourcing/Manufacturing/Costing/QA
Set sourcing strategic direction to meet the needs of the future product lines and fit within CSC long-term sourcing strategies.
Align sourcing strategy with prAna goals related to Fair Trade Certification and social impact in general.
Create on-going process to identify risks and opportunities in our sourcing base and drive actions to protect the brands interests within the ever-changing global sourcing landscape.
Partner with global stakeholders across CSC key support functions (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Distribution operations, CDT, etc.) to align on GTM execution to maximize delivering first quality product on time to prAna consumers.
Oversee successful execution and on-time production and delivery of seasonal inventory buys.
Partner on timing of seasonal inventory buys and advance materials purchases in order to reduce risk and drive efficiency.
Continually drive prAna team and CSC partners on product quality initiatives and improvements.
Collaborate with prAna Product Creation Team leaders on improving the cost of goods and achievement of product margin goals. Provide input on margin improvement opportunities from a sourcing and supply chain standpoint.
Develop and manage fiscal year business planning and budgeting for the sourcing and costing functions. Monitor progress of adhering to business plans and established budgets.
Understand existing systems used within the prAna supply chain and the broader CSC environment; recommend and influence systems changes/implementations to impact the efficiency of the supply chain.
Organize global meetings as needed that focus upon sourcing issues. Participate in the planning and organization of meetings not under your direct control.
Collaborate with the prAna brand leadership team and CSC senior functional leaders to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to meet or exceed the rapid growth objectives of the brand.
Set and measure KPIs for the prAna Brand that will drive more data-driven decision making and strategies. Partner closely with Data Analytics & IT on Brand Analytics & Reporting (Dashboards).
Partner with prAna Product Creation Team and CSC Social compliance teams to drive execution of our efforts to achieve climate impact goals.
Stay up to date with the latest innovations, changes in competition, and shifts in the retail industry and also to operational changes within CSC and implement changes to the brand operations accordingly.
Work with prAna brand PCT leaders and Planning leaders to innovate and improve the Concept to Consumer end to end process and calendar.
Partner with other functional leaders on Executive & Brand S&OP efforts.
Manage prAna headquarters facility and ensure a safe, secure, clean and healthy inspiring work environment.
Manage the sub-leased space and tenant at prAna headquarters and all things related to that tenant.
Be a key stakeholder and participant in the prAna office renovation and all future follow up needed in conjunction with CSC.

Leadership Structure
This position reports directly to the prAna brand President, is a member of the prAna Executive team, and dotted line reports into the VP of Apparel Sourcing & Manufacturing at CSC.

This position will have direct reports
Senior Manager of Sourcing, Production
Head of Quality
This position will have collaborative functional area responsibility with
Sourcing/manufacturing/quality/global buying
Demand and Supply Planning
Logistics and Allocation
Distribution
Global Customs and Trade

Leadership Responsibilities
Participate as a member of the prAna Executive Team in the development of long-range strategy and implementation plans.
Create and execute annual strategic plans for all functional areas of core responsibility.
Initiative Leadership:Lead implementation & establish ongoing support for operational needs of all prAna Brand initiatives.
Act as dedicated liaison for all CSC Global initiatives that require prAna brand integration/support; drive successful engagement by prAna team.
Establish KPIs to provide prAna Brand President with data for on-going decision making.

Supporting Brand President with the following efforts:Collaborate on seasonal inventory strategies and buy plans.
Understanding, supporting and driving any needed change as it relates to sourcing and product vendor strategy.
Recommending and implementing system changes necessary to support prAna brand growth and supply chain efficiency.
Supporting efforts for internal meetings such as Quarterly Business Reviews, Rhythm of Business weekly meeting, etc.

Job Scope
Complexity is created by the globalization of the apparel and textile industry. Supply chains often involve multiple countries of origin for components that will go into the product line. Global trade in the apparel industry is also complicated by trade agreements and trade regulations established by importing and exporting countries.

Job complexity is also heightened as a result of the dynamic nature of the retail trade in apparel. Apparel trends are constantly changing as are the service expectations the customers demands from prAna. This requires that this function constantly be reviewing process and procedures to meet the changing business environment.

Requirements
Bachelors degree in Business Administration, or equivalent required