Fabric Sourcing & Development Manager

Lever Style is the world’s premier apparel production platform for premium labels such as Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, and Amie Leon Dore, outdoor/activewear brands such as Arc’teryx, Vuori and J Lindeberg, and e-commerce pioneers such as Bonobos, Stitch Fix and Mizzen + Main. Our innovative, high mix-low volume solution reduces excess inventory and stockouts, and offers unparalleled product expertise. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code 1346), our versatile approach is rooted in decades of technical expertise gained from working with many of the world’s top brands.

Our one-stop shop solution allows our clients to focus on what they do best: branding, marketing, and distribution. Behind the scenes we deliver versatility on any product type that a designer can dream of. We enable our clients to consolidate their vendor base, reduce production complexity, overheads, and management headaches.

This role is based in Lever Style Shenzhen office, with daily commuting shuttle provided between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Responsibilities:

1.      Conduct comprehensive sourcing activities for materials and fabrics, specifically for Fashion knit or woven fabric.

2.      Leverage extensive knowledge of the market to identify potential suppliers in both China, North Asia, Southeast Asia, etc.

3.      Proactively search for and develop new sourcing channels to diversify the supplier base.

4.      Build and maintain relationships with existing suppliers to ensure high-quality materials, competitive pricing, and on-time developments.

5.      Negotiate with suppliers to obtain the best possible lead times and prices.

6.      Stay updated with industry trends, market developments, innovations and fashion concepts to anticipate materials requirements to stay ahead of competitors.

7.      Regularly communicate and coordinate with product development and sales teams to address specific material requirements and resolve any issues.

8.      Monitor the overall performance and compliance of suppliers and take necessary actions to ensure adherence to quality and ethical standards.

9.      Create and maintain accurate records of all sourcing activities, supplier information, pricing, and developments.

10.  Work diligently with the internal teams to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage workload efficiently.

11.  Provide leadership to the material development team by coaching and guiding team members in daily tasks.

Requirements:

1.      Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as fashion merchandising or supply chain management.

2.      Proven experience of at least 8 years in material sourcing and development across multiple categories - experience from a fabric consolidator, agency or fabric mill is preferred.

3.      Experience working with overseas customers, predominantly in the US and European markets.

4.      Exceptional understanding of market trends, fashion concepts, and attention to detail.

5.      Solid communication and interpersonal skills to foster strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams.

6.      Proficiency in using MS Office suite, for data analysis and reporting.

7.      Willingness to travel both locally and internationally, as required.

8.      Proficiency in English and Chinese, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.