Sourcing Category Lead

who we are
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
sourcing category lead
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Sourcing, the Sourcing Category Lead will be the category expert in sourcing, costing and delivering margins. The Sourcing Category Lead will deliver category level sourcing strategy and translate long range strategies to drive seasonal costing priorities. They will ensure cost and margin for assigned categories meet target. Sourcing Category Lead develops factory relationships aligned with their product category to commercialize products in a timely, consistent manner. They will develop plans and strategies that will address category specific margin goals. They will own category specific system related inputs and operational analysis to support the business.
about this team
We are the Sourcing Department. We manage the relationship with our apparel vendors & ensure that lululemon has best in the world manufacturers. We work cross-functionally across the entire product team to ensure product meets our business strategy, quality & cost goals. We then work with our vendors to make those products a reality.
a day in the life
- Deliver category level sourcing strategy based on long range plans.
- Translate long range strategies to drive seasonal costing and allocation priorities.
- Elevate opportunities and risks to influence strategy and support decision making.
- Own seasonal volume tracking and analysis to support delivery of long-range strategies.
- Manage data analysis of product allocations, cost and margin, including data updates in Flex PLM and costing systems.
- Build strong relationships with vendors and cross functional teams to help foster partnership and trust.
- Own vendor allocation data maintenance, validation and communication of projections to vendors
- Ensure cost and margin for assigned category meets target.
- Develop action plans to mitigate margin risk and proposals to reduce cost, working closely with cross functional partners.
- Give guidance for vendor cost negotiations to our lululemon liaisons offices and Production and Merchandising team where applicable.
- Track and drive calendar adherence for applicable Go-To-Market and Sourcing deadlines.

qualifications
- You have 3-5 years’ experience working closely & building relationships with offshore
- manufacturers.
- You have a strong understanding of the apparel manufacturing process.
- You are well versed in apparel cost breakdowns and have a passion for numbers. You
- understand FOB, Landed Pricing and Mark Ups.
- You have a keen eye to attention to detail, extremely organized and can execute tasks
- consistently to meet deadlines.
- You are a multi-task master & can handle multiple projects working with a variety of
- cross-functional partners.
- You are experienced in working with product line management and costing systems.
- You love the world of analysis and enjoy working in Excel, Power BI and Smartsheet
- You are an excellent team player, also can work independently.
- You are confident in your strengths, always open to challenges and live with integrity

must haves
- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
- Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
- Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
- Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.

additional notes
Authorization to work in Canada is required for this role.
compensation and benefits package
At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

- Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
- Paid time off
- Savings and retirement plan matching
- Generous employee discount
- Fitness & yoga classes
- Parenthood top-up
- Extensive catalog of development course offerings
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