Sourcing Specialist

The Sourcing Specialist is responsible for assisting Sourcing Manger in managing Hardline merchandise categories for Disney Theme Park Merchandise. The Sourcing Specialist will be responsible for assisting Sourcing Manager in monitoring the sample development submission due date, order/production follow-up. The Sourcing Specialist will also assist Sourcing Manager to initiate vendor set-up, ISU, PLM form and data entry upon order award.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
•    Proactively assists Sourcing Manager to meet measurable efficiencies of team communications, tasks, and overall workflow to support continuous improvement.
•    Learn and assist Sourcing Manager to follow up action plans to improve supply base and mitigate risk with measurable accountability.
•    Collaborates with Quality Assurance team to ensure products placed with managed suppliers are meeting Disney quality standards.
•    Manages production tracking report, driving communication and troubleshooting exceptions and delays proactively
•    Identifies opportunities to leverage tools, information, processes and resources to optimize operational efficiency.
•    Assist Sourcing Manager to initiate vendor set-up process in the system.
•    Work with suppliers to ensure cost is updated timely in PLM, enabling Sourcing Manager to manage order award process.
•    Supports Sourcing Manager to consolidate discussion with factory and Product Design to seek new ideas, art techniques, applications and materials to drive product innovation.
•    Assists Sourcing Manager to drive continuous improvement within supply base to elevate supplier performance with measurable results.
•    Proactively addresses issues or delivery delays to Sourcing Manager timely.

CORE SKILLS:
    Knowledge of product-specific construction standards, materials, and manufacturing processes/techniques.
    Good negotiation skills.
    Proficient in English and Mandarin or Cantonese.
    Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
    Ability to influence vendors and drive production and operational efficiency
    Understanding of China and Global testing, safety, and labeling requirements and impact to product design
    Experience in merchandise sourcing and production management.
    Strong computer skills. (i.e., Excel, PowerPoint, MicroCharts, etc.)
    Ability to work on multiple projects within specified time frames.
    Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
    Learn of free-trade agreements, duties and resulting impact of sourcing strategies.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
    3 years’ experience in Global Sourcing and/or Merchandising
    Bachelor’s Degree
    Product-specific technical degree and/or manufacturing experience a plus
    Proficiency in English (spoken and written)
    Ability to communicate in other languages would be a plus