(Sr.) Sourcing Merchandiser, Accessories (Vendor Development)

GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Vendor Management team is accountable for global vendor relationships & performance per defined sourcing strategy meeting GIS priorities, garment development, costing and production performance. The team is responsible for strategic capacity planning and to setup strategies to achieve AUC and Responsive Supply Chain (RSC) goals by building effective relationships within the cross-functional teams and with brand. The sub teams under Vendor Management function will be Strategic Sourcing, Product Development and Post PO Management which will work in specialized operating model in order to facilitate more nimble sample development, drive value added activities & innovation and improve our responsive capability to service the business better.
The primary responsibility for the Product Development team will be to work closely with the with the brand production teams and other category teams to produce samples that meets Gap Inc. quality standards while achieving the cost and specific brand milestone targets. This team will be responsible for implementing the country / brand / product strategy while leveraging their expertise in garment development, costings, negotiations and the region.
The Senior/Merchandiser, Product Development VM will be responsible for developing the garment samples for the assigned product / style while working closely with the Vendor Merchandising teams of Vendors. As product development expert s/he will also be responsible for identifying the opportunities of cost saving, onboarding new vendors and executing the innovation agenda for the department in the assigned product
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior Merchandiser, Vendor Management is responsible for managing vendor orders and relationships for a sub-category.
• Download techpack and BOM
• Work with vendors for development sampling and initial costs
• Manage counter costing; Handling samples; Tracking fit approvals; Tracking labdips
• Monitoring, review and evaluate vendor performance
• Follow up with vendor on system-updates
• Maintain relationships and negotiations with new and existing vendors
• Manage wear-test samples and tailoring samples
• Ensure Systems are updated with costs and details
• Coordination of MST legacy ID communications for purchase order
• Manage of product development and order placement in efficient and effective manner
• Work with Technical, QA and Mill management team to ensure all commercial decision and standards are met
• To partner with category team in problem solving, information sharing and counter sourcing to support best placement plan
• Partner with brand Design, R&D and key suppliers to develop innovative and quality product
• Partner with Mill management, QA and technical teams to resolve fabric or quality issues
• Resolve issues within a timely manner while working to continuously improve and create internal and external processes and procedures