Sourcing Manager, Lighting (CN/SEA)

ABOUT QUINCE
Founded in 2018, Quince was built to challenge the idea that nice things have to cost a lot. Our mission is simple: to make really high quality essentials for really low prices, produced fairly and sustainably. We believe everyone deserves exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design without the traditional markups. Quince is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model that cuts out middlemen and leverages just-in-time manufacturing to minimize waste and maximize value.
Quince is a tech company disrupting the retail industry by putting AI, analytics and automation at the center of everything we do. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and company values guide our teams and actions:
Customer First: We prioritize customer satisfaction in every decision.
High Quality: True quality means premium materials and rigorous production standards you can feel good about.
Essential Design: We focus on timeless, functional essentials instead of chasing trends.
Always a Better Deal: Innovation and transparency ensure value for both customers and partners.
Social & Environmental Responsibility: We commit to sustainable materials, ethical production, and fair wages.
Quince partners with world-class manufacturers across the globe and serves millions of customers. With strong investor backing and a focus on sustainable growth, we are a company that is rapidly scaling while maintaining a commitment to quality, simplicity, and radical price transparency.
OUR TEAM AND SUCCESS At Quince, you will be part of a high-performing team that is redefining what quality, value, and sustainability mean in modern retail. We are a destination for builders, innovators, and operators to come together and challenge the status quo.
Our collective ambition is bold. We are creating an entirely new category and customer experience - one that democratizes luxury and provides high quality products at radically low prices. That mission demands a world-class team committed to excellence.
If you are motivated by impact, growth, and purpose, you will find a strong sense of belonging at Quince.
THE ROLE
Sourcing Manager, Lighting
We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial
Sourcing Manager
to build and lead our Lighting Category
.
This person will be tasked with identifying and onboarding new vendor partners from scratch. The role will focus primarily on Lighting category with potential expansion into other categories.
This is a rare opportunity to own and build a sourcing operation in a high-impact category. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of category manufacturing, strong vendor relationships (or the ability to cultivate them), and the operational rigor to scale new supply chains that deliver on
cost, quality, and lead time
.
Responsibilities
Business Need Analytics & Supplier Identification: Finds, vets, pitches, signs, and onboards premium consumer product manufacturers specializing in portable lighting and table lamps to secure the best quality, cost, speed, reliability, and scalability.
Rapid Vendor Onboarding: Pitches and onboards consumer lighting factories quickly. This must be done with clear criteria around initial testing for cosmetic finishes, structural safety, electronics compliance, and their ability to scale mass production if the test period is successful.
Supplier Relationship Management: Sets up vendors for success through structured onboarding training and rigorous performance management using Weekly Business Reviews (WBR) and Monthly Business Reviews (MBR).
Drive Operational Excellence: Drives excellence in partner operations for existing portable lighting suppliers while expanding the global vendor base and continuously improving product costs, component quality, and commercial terms.
Pricing & Cost Optimization: Collaboratively works with merchants, procurement, and vendor partners on granular cost-breakdown analysis (focusing on shade materials, ceramic/metal bases, cord sets, and switch components) to achieve target margins.
Build for Speed, Scalability & Flexibility: Partners with factories and internal functional teams to build rapid replenishment models and scalability through raw material and component staging (e.g., fabric for shades, sockets, switches, raw bases) and factory capacity reservation.
Data-Driven Planning: Educates manufacturing partners to analyze sales data and utilize planning projections to deliver optimal, demand-driven replenishment.
Compliance and responsible sourcing: ensures factories meet legal, ethical, and sustainability standards, including fair labour practices and certifications.
Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Protects the supply chain through counter-sourcing raw materials, establishing backup factories, and designing alternative regional sourcing strategies to mitigate material and logistics disruptions.
Brand Ambassadorship: Acts as an Ambassador to partners in all interactions, building and deepening strategic relationships to drive continuous product finishing and operational improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: 10+ years of strategic global sourcing and merchandising experience specifically within portable lighting, table lamps, task lamps, and accent lighting categories.
Technical Category Knowledge: Deep understanding of consumer-facing lamp assembly, including shade manufacturing (fabric, glass, metal), diverse base materials (ceramics, marble, wood, metals), inline switches, and dimming technologies.
Self-Motivated: Proven ability as a self-starter and quick independent learner, adapting swiftly to changing design trends, finish specifications, and global manufacturing landscapes.
Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail with a data-driven approach to production decision-making, aesthetic quality assurance, and mechanical problem-solving.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with a sharp focus on execution, manufacturing process improvement, and premium product enhancement.
Curiosity: Continuous learner with a proactive attitude, open to new design innovations in consumer portable hardware and adaptable to shifting supply market circumstances.
Supply Chain & Operations Background: Stellar track record in consumer goods supply chain management, material logistics, or factory operations, contributing to a well-rounded understanding of the e-commerce/retail landscape.
Collaborative Nature: Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering deep collaboration across cross-functional design, merchandising, and commercial teams. Highly skilled in written and verbal communication and executive presentations.
WHY QUINCE?
Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY
Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices.
Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom-never via messaging apps or other calling services.
Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.