Sourcing Operations and Production

The Sourcing Operations and Production professional at vineyard vines is responsible for leading key sourcing operational functions including seasonal costing activities, reporting on cost negotiations and savings, enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and developing a sourcing strategy. This role requires proficiency in cost analysis, vendor compliance evaluations, and effective communication with merchants and production teams to ensure optimal operational processes.

To qualify for the Sourcing Operations and Production role at vineyard vines, candidates should possess at least 5 years of experience in sourcing, production, or supply chain within the apparel or consumer goods sectors. Strong analytical skills, experience in margin analysis, and proficiency in Excel along with familiarity with PLM or ERP systems are essential. Additionally, effective communication and organizational skills are necessary to manage multiple projects effectively.

At vineyard vines, we prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that reflects our motto: Every Day Should Feel This Good. Our culture is built on collaboration, where team members are encouraged to share creative ideas and partake in team activities, while also having fun. As a Sourcing Operations and Production professional, you'll be part of a team that feels like family and is dedicated to achieving great results together.

Success in the Sourcing Operations and Production role at vineyard vines relies heavily on strong analytical skills, particularly in interpreting data and turning insights into actionable strategies. Experience in costing, margin analysis, and developing SOPs is also critical. Additionally, effective communication, organization, and a proactive mindset will empower you to manage projects efficiently and drive continuous improvement in our operational processes.

In the Sourcing Operations and Production position at vineyard vines, you can expect a dynamic work environment where collaboration and creativity are encouraged. We believe in working hard while also enjoying what we do, making it a fun and engaging atmosphere. Our team is committed to maintaining inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace that supports every individual's growth and contribution.

In discussing seasonal costing during your interview, provide specific examples of projects where you successfully built costing files and worked collaboratively with merchants. Highlight your approach to cost negotiations and how it impacted the overall budget. Providing quantitative results will demonstrate your capability effectively.

In your answer, emphasize your systematic approach to create SOPs. Detail your experience with analyzing existing processes, gathering feedback from team members, and ensuring that the final SOPs align with strategic goals. Illustrating successful implementations will showcase your effectiveness in this area.

When addressing vendor compliance monitoring, focus on specific methodologies you've utilized, such as developing scorecards or conducting regular audits. Explain how these strategies helped improve vendor relationships and adherence to compliance standards, while providing examples from your previous roles.

Discuss your organizational skills and any tools or methods you use to manage multiple projects effectively, such as project management software or prioritization techniques. Providing examples of past scenarios where you successfully navigated competing deadlines will strengthen your response.

In response, highlight a specific project where you analyzed data to identify trends or issues, and the actions you took based on the analysis. Discuss the results of those actions and how they contributed to the team’s or company's objectives.

Share examples where you worked cross-functionally, perhaps with merchandising or production teams, to achieve a common goal. Detail the importance of communication and teamwork in these scenarios and the outcomes of your collaborations.

Focus on your experience in analyzing category projections and past vendor performance data to forecast capacity effectively. Detail the methodologies you employed, such as collaborating with vendors directly or using data analytics tools, to ensure accurate forecasts.

Mention the PLM and ERP systems you are proficient in, and explain how you have utilized these tools to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Highlight any specific functionalities or features of those tools that you found especially useful in your previous roles.

Share the strategies you use, such as regular updates through meetings or emails and using collaborative tools to ensure transparency and accountability. Highlight the importance of building strong relationships and how effective communication can lead to better compliance and performance from vendors.

Reflect on your passion for the apparel industry and your desire to make impactful decisions through operational efficiency. Discuss your enthusiasm for continuous improvement, problem-solving, and how contributing to a brand like vineyard vines aligns with your career aspirations.