Sourcing Specialist (Outdoor)

Hi there, we’re Article. We’re a North American online furniture company creating remarkably better furniture experiences one sofa at a time. And as the Sourcing Specialist (Outdoor), you’ll be the first point of contact to check the performance of each vendor assigned.

Why We Need You:

In the Sourcing team, you’ll implement new products and resourcing initiatives, allocate product capacity, evaluate vendor manufacturing capabilities and support cost competitiveness analysis. This fits into our larger goal to create a remarkable outdoor furniture experience for our customers.

Why Article?

While, we sell to the North American market, we work closely with a number of our manufacturing partners throughout Asia. As a result we have an office in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where we currently have around 50 Particles (people of Article) working.

As a Particle (people of Article), you will have a high level of autonomy to solve challenging, meaningful problems the best way you can. That means you’re trusted to explore solutions you believe will work best (you’re the expert, after all). You’ll do all this while growing your skills within a company that is redefining the furniture industry.

What You’ll Do:

You’ll be part of a team of 2 Sourcing Specialists working to solve any production or capacity issues, prioritize tasks and achieve business objectives.

- As the main point of contact, you will coordinate with cross functional teams that interact with suppliers to ensure a consistent approach, priorities, action items, and messages to each of our suppliers.

- Manage supplier tactical capacity in alignment with other internal stakeholders, and within the company processes.

- Identify, establish and develop high performing outdoor furniture suppliers.

- Analyzing suppliers’ performance and market trends and comparing them to benchmarks.

- Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, SWOT analysis, and give critical inputs to supplier strategy.

- Identify and act on business opportunities to create preconditions for product and production cost out, based on value and fact-based business approach.

- Overall responsible for business with a defined number of suppliers and business scope. Develop effective business relationships and secure their performance in all aspects (as per KPIs and Goals) through Article Way.

- Secure business objectives according to relevant category strategy.

- Contribute to optimizing the value chain that creates better products and meets the needs of the business and customers today and in the future.

- Greater than 30% travel required, mostly to manufacturing partners in Asia.

Who You Are:

- 5+ years’ experience in sourcing and merchandising roles in the furniture industry, preferably wooden patio furniture.

- A good grasp of wooden patio products’ technical knowledge, compliance, and manufacturing efficiencies is an advantage.

- Always act with internal/ external customers, suppliers, and total cost development in mind.

​​- Capability to deliver results through involving and engaging people.

- Proven track records in building and maintaining excellent supplier relationships

- Excellent English and Vietnamese verbal and written communication skills. The ability to communicate in Chinese is a plus.

- Excellent negotiation, interpersonal and customer service skills.

- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Proficient with G-suite / Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

- The ability to travel overseas, typically to China, Indonesia and other countries in Asia, is required.

Perks & Benefits:

Life:

15 days vacation

11 National Holidays & 1 extra day for Christmas

6 well-being (sick) days

1 Inclusion and Diversity Day

Health:

Excellent extended health care benefits packages (dental, health check, mental health…)

Company & Office Space:

State-of-the-art laptops with the tech and tools to easily collaborate

Be a part of a dynamic company and an internationally recognized brand