Fashion Sourcing Specialist

**Brussel**

**JOBDESCRIPTION**

The role of the Sourcing Specialist is of strategic importance; you will assist in effecting more efficient sourcing processes in order to save costs and maximize profitability.
- You will join a dynamic Buying team and report directly to the Chief Product Officer. Moreover, in this role, you will coach an Import Assistant in order to secure all deliveries and certifications. This is a very diverse role within the company, with lots of internal and external contacts as you will collaborate with our Suppliers, Buying Manager, Product Managers, Logistics Manager, Commercial & Marketing team,... on daily basis.Are you a passionate professional with a strong technical knowledge in the woman ready-to-wear industry?- Do you have an accurate experience in sourcing in Europe? Are you familiar with quality controls and CSR processes?**_
As a Sourcing Specialist you will have following key responsibilities:_**

Sourcing:
- You are responsible for an innovative and smart selection of suppliers in line with company strategy and objectives in terms of margin, pricing, quality, efficiency, fashion level and CSR strategy, validated by the Chief Product Officer. You work closely with the Buying Manager in order to understand the needs of new sourcing and develop the complete process for successful order placement. The Product Manager will then be responsible for the follow-up.
- Drive, facilitate and ensure a follow up of capacity booking of fabrics and production space. You negotiate the big programs for fashion basics with defined key partners. Moreover, you ensure a just in time and qualitative delivery, and anticipate alternative solution when meeting production or delivery issues to reduce the loss.
- Develop double sourcing when necessary to ensure reactivity in season.
- You search for premium sourcing and build regular sourcing reports.
- Ensure permanent mapping of the sourcing countries, analyse and propose new sourcing strategies in order to optimize the supply chain in line with the overall company strategy and market evolution.
- You do a permanent follow-up of the global cost and lead-time evolution (raw materials, transport ). You advise the Buying team with the adequate retro planning.
- Animate regular meetings with key suppliers.
- Manage the buying process of a product category (collection building, product development, negotiation,...)
- Quality:
- You ensure a follow up of all quality issues with the Product Managers.
- Propose a quality-control process for the short-term sourcing.
- Responsible for the 3rd part inspection (global).
- Build regular quality reports from customer returns and production checks, you also negotiate returns with suppliers. You visit stores and warehouse on a regular basis.
- You work closely with the technicians and partners to educate the suppliers to improve their knowledge on quality.

CSR:
- Work closely with the Buying Manager to build a sustainable strategy (environmental and social).
- Source new sustainable and innovative fabrics and find adequate partner in Europe to develop the range in line with the Buying strategy.
- Responsible for all the legal requirements and certifications - related to sourcing, production and import.
- Ensure a proper update of the purchasing book and ensure the respect of the company production standards by the partners.

**EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS**
- You have 5-8 years of experience in a similar role in fashion retail.
- Have a strong fashion attitude and are experienced in short-term sourcing in Europe
(Asia is a plus). Your personal track record also consists of successful CSR accomplishments.
- A great command of Excel.
- Fluency in English and Dutch or French.
- A natural leader with excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- You are agile and stress resilient since we operate in a fast-pacing environment.
- Flexible and open to travel to European sourcing markets (required in this role).

**OFFER**
- A diverse and challenging role within an enthusiastic and dynamic team.
- A motivating salary package in proportion with your knowledge and experience.
- The ability to futher develop yourself within a Belgian based fashion company.
- Headquarters located in the heart of Brussels, within walking distance to Brussels Central station.

**LOCATION**
- Brussels**CONTACT PERSON**
- Send your résume to Ingeborg Schurgers