Senior Merchandiser (Furniture)

JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Merchandiser is responsible for executing Category directives in their focus country. They are the liaison between the San Francisco based team and the factories, managing seasonal developments, vendor relations, Time & Action (T&A) and key communications. They work in conjunction with WSI cross functional teams to support the US based team and factory needs.
JOB CONTENT AND DUTIES:
Product Development:
Work with Line Manager on category strategy to ensure right product, right vendor
Fully versed on Time & Action (T&A) master calendar and all key dates. Alert Sourcing team when falling off calendar.
Manage Testing of products with factories and protocol adherence.
Communicate target costs and sample ETD to vendors, and follow up on weekly progress
Communicate program approval to vendors and ensure that the factory has the correct approved sample before they go into production
Troubleshoot any issues that come up in production and work with factory to ensure on-time delivery and notify Sourcing team if there are any major delays.
Negotiate costs and MOQs
Negotiate with factories to achieve target costs for seasonal developments.
Obtain agreement on initial and reorder Minimum of Quantity (MOQs).
Address factory up-charges as they arise and work with the brand to drive agreements.
Vendor relations and capacity management
Facilitate On-boarding of new vendors.
Create strong relationships with all our key vendors.
Plan and create strategic vendor development to establish long term business growth.
Stay on top of factory issues (strikes, holidays, etc) and communicate as needed to the SF team.
Sourcing
Source new products /factories via trade shows and market contacts.
Understand where our competitors are producing their product and the capabilities of all our factories.
Development Trips
Coordinate development trips with corporate sourcing team and the vendors.
Prepare all documents and samples for team's visit.
Collaborate with SCO and QA teams
Monitor the inspection schedule across factories together with SCO and QA teams.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree is required
Minimum 6 years of practical experience in Furniture products
Knowledge of vendor sourcing, product development and cost negotiation
Basic knowledge of Furniture manufacturing process
Management experience would be an advantage
COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Technical & Language Proficiency
Advanced computer skills
Full professional proficiency in English
Proficiency in Chinese is an advantage
Communication & Presentation
Clear and effective verbal and written communication
Strong presentation proficiency
Negotiation & Costing
Expertise in costing discussions
Skilled negotiation with stakeholders
Vendor Management
Factory evaluation capability
Vendor engagement and relationship management
Capacity management experience
Organizational & Analytical Skills
Strong prioritization and organizational ability
Attention to detail and accuracy in execution
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Teamwork & Leadership
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
Project management and leadership competence
Direction-setting and decision-making capability
Service Orientation & Interpersonal Skills
Customer-focused mindset
Positive interpersonal relationship building
Professional maturity and resilience under pressure
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, United Kingdom and the rest of the world with franchise partnerships. Our family of brands are Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow. Our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities remains as our core values.
Today, we are a USD 8.7 billion company, with a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.
The Global team is an inclusive employer where we recruit and provide employees with fair opportunities on the basis of merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.