At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global sourcing strategy and manage vendor relationships for premium apparel.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking brand committed to ethical sourcing and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, company bonuses, and a £1,000 annual gift card.
- Other info: Flexible working with 4 days in office and 1 day WFH.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in sourcing strategy within luxury apparel and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As Head of Sourcing you will lead Represent's global sourcing strategy to secure the right product, from the right partners, at the right cost, quality and lead-time, while maintaining ethical and responsible sourcing practices. The role owns vendor strategy, negotiations, capacity alignment and QC. Represent produces mainline and apparel, requiring strong, reliable factory partnerships, disciplined sourcing, ethically verified supply chains and a robust critical path. Based at Head Office in Horwich, Bolton, reporting to the COO.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and deliver a robust, rolling 3–5 year sourcing strategy aligned to Represent's four-category sourcing framework.
- Maintain an optimum production portfolio across geographies, with a focus on country of origin strategy and duty arbitrage opportunities.
- Ensure the COO and leadership team are fully informed of new and emerging manufacturing technologies, innovations and opportunities.
- Lead supplier negotiations and relationship governance, driving FOB cost improvement against benchmark.
- Ensure the continuous development of QC functions and maintain product quality and compliance standards.
- Lead the translation of range plans into optimum seasonal sourcing commitments for raw materials and finished goods.
- Deliver cost optimisation across materials, manufacture and logistics, reducing supply chain cost while enabling growth.
- Drive dual-sourcing strategies to manage and mitigate strategic supply risk across the vendor base.
- Align sourcing strategy across business units to ensure a consistent, coherent approach to strategic partnerships.
- Optimise logistics Opex through efficient routing, consolidation and carrier management.
- Ensure efficient alignment with and delivery to the critical path.
- Through excellent leadership and management, build and develop a high performing team and culture, coaching talent and fostering a culture of accountability and brand alignment.
What you'll need
- Proven track record in the development and implementation of sourcing strategy within a premium or luxury apparel environment.
- Direct and extensive experience of sourcing in Asia and managing global vendor networks.
- Strong commercial negotiation capability with a demonstrable track record of FOB and cost improvement.
- Proven experience managing key stakeholders across cross-functional teams.
- HRDD, Fair Wear and responsible sourcing compliance understanding.
- Experience building and leading high performing sourcing teams.
- Confident, resilient and assertive leader with the gravitas to influence at senior leadership level.
- Commercially strong, decisive and data-led in decision making.
You have
- Significant experience in a senior sourcing or procurement leadership role within apparel or fashion.
- Direct, hands-on experience managing factory relationships in Asia.
- A strong track record of delivering cost savings and supply chain efficiencies at scale.
- Experience leading and developing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
- High integrity, accountability and a collaborative approach to leadership.
We would ideally like you to
- Have experience within a premium or luxury branded environment.
- Bring an established network of factory and supplier relationships across key sourcing regions.
- Be comfortable operating as both a strategic leader and a hands-on practitioner when the business requires it.
- Own the role and make things happen.
- Be flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities.
Our Values
- Family
- Quality
- Progressive
- Accountability
- Relentless
- Sustainable
Benefits
- 25 days holiday per year increasing with length of service
- Annual leave purchase scheme
- Wellbeing day
- Company bonus scheme
- Staff discount
- £1,000 annual company gift card
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Private medical insurance
Working Pattern
- 4 days in office, 1 day WFH
- Travel as required both domestic and international, including to key sourcing regions.
Location
Head Office, Unit 1 - 3, Northgate Close, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6PQ
Head of Sourcing employer: Representclothing
Represent is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Horwich, Bolton, where innovation and ethical sourcing practices are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, wellbeing days, and a company bonus scheme, all while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. Join us to lead a high-performing team in a role that not only drives strategic sourcing but also champions sustainability and quality in the premium apparel sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sourcing
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Representclothing.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sourcing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Representclothing:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Representclothing. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Representclothing.
How to prepare for a job interview at Representclothing
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Representclothing!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Representclothing. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Representclothing's culture.
