Sourcing Manager, Lighting (CN/SEA)

Job description

**ABOUT QUINCE** Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast. What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver. **OUR CULTURE** Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before. - We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place. - Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths. - Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory. If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you. **THE ROLE** **Sourcing Manager, Lighting** We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial **Sourcing Manager** to build and lead our Lighting Category**.** This person will be tasked with identifying and onboarding new vendor partners from scratch. The role will focus primarily on Lightingcategorywith potential expansion into other categories. This is a rare opportunity to own and build a sourcing operation in a high-impact category. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of category manufacturing, strong vendor relationships (or the ability to cultivate them), and the operational rigor to scale new supply chains that deliver on **cost, quality, and lead time**. Responsibilities: - Business Need Analytics & Supplier Identification: Finds, vets, pitches, signs, and onboards premium consumer product manufacturers specializing in portable lighting and table lamps to secure the best quality, cost, speed, reliability, and scalability. - Rapid Vendor Onboarding: Pitches and onboards consumer lighting factories quickly. This must be done with clear criteria around initial testing for cosmetic finishes, structural safety, electronics compliance, and their ability to scale mass production if the test period is successful. - Supplier Relationship Management: Sets up vendors for success through structured onboarding training and rigorous performance management using Weekly Business Reviews (WBR) and Monthly Business Reviews (MBR). - Drive Operational Excellence: Drives excellence in partner operations for existing portable lighting suppliers while expanding the global vendor base and continuously improving product costs, component quality, and commercial terms. - Pricing & Cost Optimization: Collaboratively works with merchants, procurement, and vendor partners on granular cost-breakdown analysis (focusing on shade materials, ceramic/metal bases, cord sets, and switch components) to achieve target margins. - Build for Speed, Scalability & Flexibility: Partners with factories and internal functional teams to build rapid replenishment models and scalability through raw material and component staging (e.g., fabric for shades, sockets, switches, raw bases) and factory capacity reservation. - Data-Driven Planning: Educates manufacturing partners to analyze sales data and utilize planning projections to deliver optimal, demand-driven replenishment. - Compliance and responsible sourcing: ensures factories meet legal, ethical, and sustainability standards, including fair labour practices and certifications. - Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Protects the supply chain through counter-sourcing raw materials, establishing backup factories, and designing alternative regional sourcing strategies to mitigate material and logistics disruptions. - Brand Ambassadorship: Acts as an Ambassador to partners in all interactions, building and deepening strategic relationships to drive continuous product finishing and operational improvement. QUALIFICATIONS: - Experience: 10+ years of strategic global sourcing and merchandising experience specifically within portable lighting, table lamps, task lamps, and accent lighting categories. - Technical Category Knowledge: Deep understanding of consumer-facing lamp assembly, including shade manufacturing (fabric, glass, metal), diverse base materials (ceramics, marble, wood, metals), inline switches, and dimming technologies. - Self-Motivated: Proven ability as a self-starter and quick independent learner, adapting swiftly to changing design trends, finish specifications, and global manufacturing landscapes. - Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail with a data-driven approach to production decision-making, aesthetic quality assurance, and mechanical problem-solving. - Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with a sharp focus on execution, manufacturing process improvement, and premium product enhancement. - Curiosity: Continuous learner with a proactive attitude, open to new design innovations in consumer portable hardware and adaptable to shifting supply market circumstances. - Supply Chain & Operations Background: Stellar track record in consumer goods supply chain management, material logistics, or factory operations, contributing to a well-rounded understanding of the e-commerce/retail landscape. - Collaborative Nature: Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering deep collaboration across cross-functional design, merchandising, and commercial teams. Highly skilled in written and verbal communication and executive presentations. **WHY QUINCE?** Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike. **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY** Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing [this accommodation form](https://forms.gle/DpJ11jHa1WbqfUWB9). We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. *Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds* At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.