Fabric & Trim Sourcing Purchase Manager

Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management :

Develop and implement a strategic sourcing plan for all raw materials (fabrics, threads, zippers, buttons, labels, interlinings, etc.).

Identify, evaluate, select, and onboard new suppliers and vendors globally based on capability, cost, quality, and reliability.

Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers.

Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and audits to ensure they meet agreed-upon standards (quality, delivery, social compliance).

Manage the supplier database and develop a backup / alternative supplier base to mitigate risks.

2. Procurement & Purchasing :

Review and process purchase requisitions from the planning and production departments.

Prepare and issue Request for Quotations (RFQs), Purchase Orders (POs), and confirmations to suppliers.

Negotiate prices, payment terms, and delivery schedules to achieve the best possible cost and terms for the company.

Coordinate with the shipping and logistics department to ensure timely clearance and delivery of materials.

Monitor and track order status from placement to delivery, proactively resolving any issues that arise.

3. Cost Management & Budgeting :

Achieve cost savings targets through effective negotiation, value engineering, and strategic sourcing without compromising quality.

Analyze market trends and raw material price fluctuations to forecast costs and make informed buying decisions.

Prepare and manage the procurement budget.

Work closely with the merchandising and costing teams to provide accurate raw material costs for customer quotations.

4. Quality Assurance & Compliance :

Collaborate with the Quality Control (QC) department to establish clear quality standards and Technical Data Sheets (TDS) for all materials.

Ensure all procured materials meet the required quality specifications before they are sent to the production line.

Source and ensure suppliers provide all necessary test reports (e.g., for fabric shrinkage, colorfastness, etc.) from approved laboratories.

Ensure all suppliers comply with the company's code of conduct, including social, ethical, and environmental standards.

5. Inventory & Supply Chain Coordination :

Work closely with inventory / store managers to maintain optimal stock levels, minimizing both shortages and excess inventory.

Coordinate with production planners to align material delivery schedules with the production plan to avoid line stoppages.

Implement inventory reduction strategies where possible, such as Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Cost Savings :  Percentage of cost reduction achieved against the target.

Material Cost Accuracy :  Variance between estimated and actual material cost.

On-Time Delivery (OTD) of Materials :  Percentage of orders delivered by suppliers on or before the required date.

Material Quality :  First-Time Pass Rate or Incoming Quality Control (IQC) rejection rate.

Supplier Performance :  Based on scorecards evaluating quality, delivery, and responsiveness.

Inventory Turnover :  How efficiently inventory is being used.

Qualifications & Experience Education :  Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience :  Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, specifically within the garment or textile industry.

Technical Knowledge :

In-depth knowledge of fabrics (woven, knitted, denim, etc.), their properties, and manufacturing processes.

Strong understanding of trims, accessories, and garment construction.

Familiarity with garment testing protocols and international quality standards.

System Skills :  Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Required Skills & Competencies Exceptional Negotiation Skills :  Ability to secure the best prices and terms.

Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities :  To analyze cost structures and market data.

Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills :  For dealing with suppliers and internal teams effectively.

Strategic Thinking :  Ability to see the big picture and plan long-term sourcing strategies.

Risk Management :  Ability to identify and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., political, logistical, financial).

Result-Oriented :  Driven to meet and exceed cost and performance targets.

Ethical Integrity :  Must conduct business with high ethical standards.