CD Commerce GmbH
Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Sourcing Lead sourcing projects from product kickoff through supplier recommendation and onboarding. Analyze product requirements and calculate the target purchase price (should-be cost) based on sales price, initial order quantity, customs duties, freight costs, FBA/FBM fees, and return rate before engaging suppliers. Identify and develop manufacturers across China, Vietnam, Turkey, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and other strategic sourcing regions; continuously expand and diversify the supplier network while prioritizing direct manufacturers whenever commercially possible. Continuously improve sourcing speed by monitoring cycle times, identifying process bottlenecks, and proactively working with cross-functional teams to accelerate supplier onboarding and product launches. Maintain sourcing pipeline visibility and collaborate with the Project Manager to prioritize activities and support the company's product launch objectives. 2. Supplier Evaluation & Commercial Assessment Conduct supplier research, vetting, factory audits, and due diligence to assess manufacturing capability, quality systems, production capacity, export experience, responsiveness, financial stability, and long-term partnership potential. Prepare comprehensive supplier evaluation reports and commercial recommendations for the Department Head, highlighting supplier strengths, risks, commercial trade-offs, and final recommendations supported by data and sound business judgment. 3. Cost Analysis & Commercial Negotiation Understand product cost structures and identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and margin improvement. Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, MOQs, lead times, tooling, packaging, quality requirements, claims, and warranties, while maintaining sustainable supplier relationships. 4. Product Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration Coordinate supplier sample development, technical clarifications, project timelines, and supplier onboarding activities. Work closely with R&D, Procurement, Logistics, Quality, Compliance, and Planning teams to ensure products transition efficiently from concept to production. Partner proactively with R&D to maximize existing supplier relationships, identifying opportunities to expand product portfolios with current suppliers where commercially advantageous before initiating new supplier searches. 5. Supplier Relationship Management Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships, resolve commercial issues professionally, and continuously improve supplier performance, responsiveness, quality, and collaboration. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve supplier scorecards evaluating performance across quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, innovation, and commercial partnership. Prepare periodic supplier performance reports and recommend improvement initiatives where necessary. 6. Continuous Improvement Monitor market trends, raw material costs, freight movements, and emerging sourcing opportunities. Leverage AI and modern sourcing tools to improve supplier research, productivity, and decision-making. Continuously recommend improvements to sourcing strategies and internal processes. 7. Competitive Intelligence Research competitors and reverse-engineer their manufacturing networks to identify potential suppliers, strategic manufacturing partners, and emerging sourcing opportunities. Decision-Making Expectations This role is expected to operate with a high level of ownership and independent judgment. The successful candidate should confidently make recommendations on: supplier shortlists, final supplier selection, target purchase price (should-be cost), commercial and negotiation strategy, supplier capability and risk assessment, alternative sourcing strategies, supplier development priorities, and cost-savings opportunities. Final commercial approval remains with the Head of Sourcing, Procurement & Logistics and/or senior management where required. Required Qualifications Minimum 5 years of international sourcing, supplier development, or strategic procurement experience, with a proven track record of identifying, vetting, negotiating, and onboarding suppliers that resulted in commercially successful product launches or long-term supplier partnerships. Experience sourcing from multiple manufacturing regions, including China and at least one of Vietnam, Turkey, Europe, or Southeast Asia. Direct experience working with manufacturers, conducting supplier evaluations and factory audits, and sourcing consumer products such as home improvement, DIY, furniture, household goods, outdoor living, automotive accessories, or similar categories. Strong commercial negotiation skills, analytical thinking, excellent written and spoken English, and the ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously. Experience: Sourcing in China: 5 years (Required) Sourcing Tools like Alibaba, 1688, and other s: 3 years (Required) Work Location: Remote
CD Commerce GmbH
