Senior Sourcing Specialist

Freeport, IL - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 15 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

At we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcomeboth here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.

The Senior Sourcing Specialist leads endtoend sourcing for assigned product categories and vendor partners with clear ownership of cost quality ontime delivery and supplier performance. Youll work closely with crossfunctional teams and global suppliers to bring L.L. Bean products to marketensuring they reflect our high standards for quality value and social responsibility.

With a high degree of autonomy youll manage medium to highcomplexity initiatives that are critical to executing sourcing strategy mitigating risk and delivering results. This role offers the opportunity to build and demonstrate strong emerging leadership through influence sound judgment problemsolving and project ownership. Youll also have the chance to coach and mentor others providing technical expertise and informal leadership support as part of a collaborative sourcing team.

Responsibilities:

CrossFunctional Collaboration:

Serve as a trusted sourcing partner to Product Development Merchandising Inventory Management Supply Chain Distribution Risk Management Global Compliance QA and other crossfunctional teams balancing competing priorities to deliver shared business outcomes.

Sourcing Management:

Partner preseason to review assortments assess sourcing implications and define sourcing requirements that support business objectives.
Own sourcing plans and timelines proactively managing dependencies risks and crossfunctional alignment.
Negotiate delivery schedules and manage production capacity with vendors and planning teams to support service and inventory goals.
Lead sample development and production readiness including specifications lab dips photo samples and approvals.
Manage raw materials sourcing including pricing testing quality standards and delivery timing.
Monitor tech pack accuracy and timeline adherence; identify issues early and drive resolution with partners.
Recommend and support process system and workflow improvements that enhance efficiency visibility and execution discipline.

Vendor Management:

Represent L.L. Bean Sourcing in the selection development and ongoing management of vendor partnerships.
Maintain strong professional vendor relationships through clear expectations consistent communication and performance feedback.
Assess vendor risk and performance across cost quality capacity delivery financial stability and social responsibility; drive corrective actions as needed.
Establish and monitor Vendor Performance Management (VPM) goals ontime delivery metrics and action plans.
Negotiate product costs payment terms lead times and production minimums in alignment with business needs.
Partner with Risk Management and Legal to mitigate vendor contract and recallrelated risk.
Mentor Sourcing Specialists and support resolution of nearterm vendor or production issues.

Quality Management:

Own quality outcomes for assigned products and vendors partnering closely with Quality Assurance.
Collaborate with QA to monitor quality benchmarks identify risks and drive preventive actions upstream.
Ensure accurate documentation and execution of product specifications and quality requirements within FLEX PLM.

Sourcing Strategy:

Support execution of short and midterm sourcing strategies aligned to cost quality delivery and growth objectives.
Assess sourcing risks related to geography vendor concentration and core programs; recommend mitigation strategies including dual sourcing where appropriate.
Stay informed on business growth priorities and contribute forwardlooking sourcing solutions.

Cost Management:

Oversee terms of sale and COGS management for assigned categories and vendors.
Maintain cost accuracy and resolve invoice discrepancies.
Support costbased pricing and savings initiatives.

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors evaluate risk and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Skills & Qualifications:

BS/BA required
5 years of relevant experience required

Textile and/or sourcing experience preferred
This role requires periodic domestic and international travel to supplier locations and sourcing offices
Strong analytical problemsolving and decisionmaking skills with the ability to apply sound judgment
Highly organized and detailoriented; able to manage complex work systematically
Proven ability to deliver highquality results in a fastpaced deadlinedriven environment
Effective communicator who can influence across functions and work directly with vendors
Collaborative resultsoriented partner with strong interpersonal skills
Selfmotivated resilient and comfortable navigating ambiguity and change
Demonstrates emerging leadership through influence mentoring and accountability
Curious and growthoriented; seeks continuous learning and diverse perspectives
Able to balance detail with bigpicture thinking to support objective businessfocused decisions

If you care about the outdoors joining is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what weve identified and you think youd be great at this role wed love to learn more about you! At we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.

Required Experience:

Senior IC