Job Description – Sourcing Manager
Company Overview: Blulabs
Blulabs, a family-owned international supplier, is a trusted partner to clients worldwide, manufacturing products for the airline, food service, retail, and janitorial & sanitation industries with factories across Asia, Latin America, and the EU. We deliver high-quality products and drive a high-energy, entrepreneurial culture that values ownership and adaptability. Join our dynamic Procurement team and drive excellence in our global sourcing operations!
Job Summary:
The Sourcing Manager will lead the sourcing of private label programs and product commodities, acting as a strategic liaison between Blulabs and global factories. This role demands a hungry, detail-oriented professional with a passion for building, creating systems and processes, and a keen sense of deal-making, process optimization, and financial modeling. Reporting to the Head of Procurement and collaborating with the Director of Supply Chain Operations, the Sourcing Manager will streamline sourcing processes, negotiate directly with factories, and drive program success in a fast-paced, global environment.
If you thrive on working on a team that excels—without being micromanaged—seeing your work make a difference in an organization, and being a part of a growing company (even if it means working long days, nights, weekends, or even the occasional holiday to deliver results), this is your opportunity to grow with a dynamic organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing and Private Label Programs:
Lead the sourcing of non-food physical products (e.g., retail, janitorial, airline supplies) for private label programs.
Specify product requirements, develop detailed specifications, and ensure alignment with internal expectations and industry standards.
Build and maintain strong relationships with global factories, negotiating contracts, pricing, and lead times to secure high-quality products at competitive costs.
Financial Modeling and Landed Cost Analysis:
Manage sophisticated landed cost models using advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros, Power Query) to evaluate supplier quotes, freight, duties, and margins.
Analyze pricing structures to ensure alignment with Blulabs’ profitability goals, providing data-driven recommendations to leadership.
Develop standardized quote templates and pricing trackers to streamline the quoting process and enhance accuracy.
Process Optimization and System Integration:
Design and implement standardized processes for quote intake, supplier onboarding, and item setup in the ERP system, addressing manual workarounds and inconsistencies.
Leverage ERP functionalities (e.g., linking internal part numbers, managing cost/sell prices) and tools like Wrike to improve visibility, accountability, and efficiency.
Establish clear SOPs for sourcing workflows, ensuring seamless handoffs with Sales, Logistics, and Quality Control teams.
Factory Negotiations and Vendor Management:
Negotiate directly with factories to secure favorable terms, resolve quality or delivery issues, and ensure compliance with standards (e.g., ISO 9001, GMP, social compliance audits).
Proactively address vendor performance issues, avoiding unreliable suppliers and building a robust supplier network where you manage, build, and develop key relationships.
Conduct due diligence on new vendors, prioritizing those willing to undergo audits and deliver consistent quality.
Project Management and Cross-Functional Leadership:
Manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously, creating detailed timelines and ensuring alignment with internal deadlines and factory capabilities.
Collaborate with internal teams to clarify program requirements upfront, reducing back-and-forth and ensuring timely quote submissions.
Lead cross-functional initiatives, fostering clear communication and defined responsibilities to eliminate bottlenecks in approvals, PO flow, and pricing accuracy.
Continuous Improvement and Leadership:
Drive process stability by committing to tested workflows and minimizing mid-project changes, addressing decision whiplash.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to department strategy, demonstrating leadership and ambition for growth.
Attend at least one relevant trade show annually to stay updated on market trends, supplier innovations, and product developments.
Be willing to take the occasional overseas trip to meet with a factory or provide tours.
Qualifications:
Experience:
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a focus on private label programs.
Proven track record of direct factory negotiations and managing global supply chains in Asia and/or Latin America.
Experience with product categories such as retail goods, janitorial supplies, or airline products (non-agricultural, non-food, non-chemical/pharmaceutical).
Skills:
Exceptional attention to detail in managing specifications, quotes, and supplier communications.
Advanced Excel proficiency for financial modeling, cost analysis, and process automation (e.g., pivot tables, macros, Power Query).
Strong project management skills, with experience using tools like Wrike or similar platforms.
Entrepreneurial mindset, with a proactive, results-driven approach and willingness to work beyond the normal hours to meet deadlines.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills to build relationships with factories and internal teams.
Relentless, driven, calm under pressure, and ready to take on complicated tasks with a positive “bring it on” mentality.
Leadership potential, with ambition to grow within a dynamic organization.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or certifications in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
Benefits:
Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, vision, and dental, 401k, paid PTO.
Virtual work environment with flexibility.
Opportunity to lead and grow in a high-energy, international business.
Be part of a collaborative, entrepreneurial company culture.
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you are a highly motivated, detail-oriented Sourcing Manager with a passion for driving results, negotiating with factories, optimizing processes, and inspired by seeing the results of your work make a tangible impact on a fast-growing organization, we want you at Blulabs! Apply today to lead our sourcing efforts and contribute to our culture and global success.
