Head of Sourcing

**Head of Sourcing**

At Strandbags, our mission is to create the world’s most loved destination for the perfect bag. We are on a journey to continuously grow our brand and to celebrate life’s journeys and adventure’s, big and small. We’re all going somewhere and whoever you are, whatever your destination, we’re here to take you places.

Strandbags has been a leading retailer of luggage, handbags and backpacks since 1927. With almost 300 stores across Australia and New Zealand and an amazing range of leading brand and own-brand bags, we have the best selection, experience and expertise to suit everyone’s needs.

This is an exciting time for Strandbags as we have moved into a brand new, highly modernised office right in the heart of Pyrmont. You will be spoilt for choice for restaurants, can take a daily stroll amongst great scenery, head to the gym, or relax after work with a drink in some of Sydney’s top bars.

We are looking for an experienced **Head of Sourcing** to join our team to pioneer, globalize, and develop innovative sourcing strategies that continuously evolve the Strandbags product flow to the business. Your goal will be to implement and manage global sourcing strategy to manage supply, costs, minimise risk and maximise company profitability.

**Key responsibilities will include;**
- Responsible for the strategy development and execution of all sourcing activity related to our product categories and brands.
- Develop key sourcing and business partnerships throughout world including manufacturers, suppliers, factories, brands and Govt regulatory boards.
- Design and execute company’s non-China sourcing strategy by sourcing alternative suppliers, working with existing suppliers, joint ventures, and manufacturing in alternative countries.
- Identify market opportunities and advising on the development, coordination, and implementation of plans for pricing and promoting products.
- Resource and develop raw material supply chain for our product categories.
- Partner with internal business owners and key stakeholders to drive efficiencies and
- Evaluating sourcing procedures and presenting improvement strategies to senior management for approval.
- Analysing and calculating procurement costs and developing cost reduction strategies.
- Driving purchasing decisions based on cost and scenario analysis, as well as market trends.
- Negotiating contracts with key suppliers, including costs and terms of supply, service, and quality.
- Collaborating with the procurement department to identify and pursue new supplier opportunities.
- Support long term business interests of the group.
- Redefine sourcing models to execute Company’s vision for future.
- Ensure adequate capacity exists to support business requirements and execute strategies that keep products on the critical path.
- In conjunction with key stakeholders manage the supplier development, selection, and process of onboarding suppliers.
- Manage production and quality operations and offshore teams to deliver quality, on - time delivery of products.
- Manage offshore sourcing offices in Southeast Asia and other appropriate countries.
- Work with product and planning teams to source, develop and manage global supplier base to ensure continual flow of products that inspire our customers.
- Identify supply and production opportunities to improve cost, efficiency and delivery.
- Develop and enhance policies and processes that delivers supplier transparency including Modern slavery / social compliance deliverables for the business.
- Design and implement company’s sustainable sourcing strategies.
- Build, develop a high performing team locally and internationally across sourcing, quality, production, and logistics that delivers on the product criteria.
- Conducting market research, as well as creating cost estimates and forecasts.

**About you;**
- 10- 15 years of relevant strategic sourcing experience
- International experience in product development and sourcing material
- Extensive knowledge in suitcase material sourcing such as plastics, particularly PC and PP, as well as metals such as Aluminium
- Extensive knowledge in leather sourcing, manufacture and design for travel bags
- Knowledge of patent procedures and IP protection for Travelgoods at designer level
- In depth experience in best - in - class sourcing practices
- Strong negotiator with proven experience in setting negotiation strategies and conducting negotiations
- Extensive knowledge of commercial agreement structures
- Strong experience assessing risk and explaining complex issues to key stakeholders.
- Experience working in large, global organization
- Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Experience in managing offshore sourcing hubs in Asia and rest of world.
- Excellent rapport / relationship building, interpersonal & communication skills
- Strong drive to achieve results and ex