Essential Function

The Sr. Materials Vendor Specialist will be responsible for managing all the current and future fabric and material vendor relationships at Klim. This position will need to develop deep relationships with these vendors which will allow us to take full advantage of the products and services they offer. Will help with the strategic direction for long term fabric and material development planning and implementation. Will drive cost savings by implementing strategies for consolidating orders, streamlining supply chains, and all other cost savings opportunities that arise.

The Sr. Materials Vendor Specialist will be involved with the planning, coordination, evaluation, and control of the manufacturing processes of fabrics and materials. This position ensures that fabrics and materials are produced at the correct time, cost, and quality with partners that are compliant to the KLIM standards. Will be responsible for all contract negotiations with each supplier. Will be responsible for all compliance related information, legislation, and actions taken regarding fabrics, materials, and finished goods.

Benefits & Perks

In addition to the great brand, team, and culture that we have at (Klim/509), here are some additional perks and benefits of working at Teton Outfitters:

• Vehicle use program: Snowmobiles, ORV (ATV, RZR, or Ranger) and Indian Motorcycles - Polaris provides programs that allow employees to purchase or use company products.
• Big company discounts for Klim, 509, and Polaris.
• Health benefits include dental, vision, prescription, HSA, life & disability insurance.
• 401 K contribution matching up at 5%
• Paid holidays
• Immediate PTO available with 2 weeks of annual vacation accrual
• Annual profit-sharing bonus
• Relocation assistance available

Duties and responsibilities

• Maintain timeline adherence for fabric and material vendors.
• Implement strategies for consolidating orders.
• Implement strategies for streamlining material supply chains.
• Implement other cost savings strategies at the fabric and material level.
• Build on fabric supplier resources to control cost and make sure we are at the front of their list when new products are available.
• Work with garment factories to find cost savings opportunities on factory supplied materials.
• Work with vendors each season to reduce MOQ, MCQ, and surcharge issues.
• Drive continuous improvement with vendors’ lead-times, quality, and cost.
• Coordinate with Logistics regarding transit costs of raw materials and look for efficiencies.
• Provide updated projections to suppliers to book capacity and for financial planning purposes.
• Constantly looking for ways to make the product better by the quality inputs.
• Ensure the brand is up to date on all compliance requirements related to fabrics, materials, and finished goods.
• Will continually scan the compliance environment to stay ahead of the game.
• Will be responsible for all contract negotiations with each supplier.
• Complete documentation for adding vendors into our Centric PLM software once vendor is approved.
• Drive the supplier strategy and seasonal allocations based on fabric supplier’s capabilities, product range, price, development timeline, and innovation.
• Ability to anticipate problems, offer solutions, and address issues with fabrics and materials.
• Communicates on an ongoing basis with internal team, contractors, sourcing team, and material suppliers during the entire fabric development process through bulk production.
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.

Qualifications

• Interpret and/or discuss information with others, which involves terminology or concepts not familiar to many people; regularly provide advice and recommend actions involving rather complex issues.
• The ability to resolve problems within established practices.
• Provides occasional guidance, some of which is technical.
• Maintenance of material vendor scorecards.

• Continually monitoring and ensuring economies of scale.

Education/Experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or equivalent experience in related field.
• 7 years minimum experience in Apparel Production or Relationship Management
• Strong computer skills with Excel, Word and Photoshop.
• Strong ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Delivers accurate quality data on-time and complete.
• Advanced knowledge of fabric and trims requested.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Advanced product knowledge and knowledge of global markets and competitors.

Working conditions

Responsibilities sometimes require working evenings and weekends, sometimes with little advanced notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.