Associate Sourcing Manager- Toys & Games

The Associate Sourcing Manager (ASM) – Toys & Games initiates and manages partnerships with best-in-class suppliers and internal stakeholders as they pertain to the sourcing and development of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise. As part of the Merchandise Sourcing & Product Development (MSPD) organization, this position is responsible for executing sourcing strategies across the Toys & Games category. You will develop, collaborate, and produce results in relation to product quality/customer expectations, time/cost efficiency, and margin improvement.

The Associate Sourcing Manager supports the development of the seasonal product line from conception through to delivery. You will work cross-functionally with key partners including product design, brand merchandising, planning, and regional offices in developing product to realize a global vision for the category. You will support the product design teams to ensure that all design specifications are achievable within margin objectives and are in alignment with the category sourcing strategies.

This position reports into the Manager, Sourcing – Toys & Games/Dolls/Souvenirs. The ASM provides support and assistance with operational and organizational functions to develop and source merchandise under the strategic guidance of their direct Manager. This position may require some domestic or international travel for cost negotiations and sample approvals.

What You Will Do

Sourcing Strategy

• Assist the Manager, Sourcing in executing strategies, costing, and development of select product lines for the Disney Consumer Products (DCP) Owned & Operated Toy business.
• Partner on vendor strategy, product costing, vendor communication, and sample management.
• Responsible for ensuring products meet established quality standards including monitoring quarterly.
• Execute sourcing strategies that maximize profitability and minimize risk with a goal of year-over-year improvement and provide knowledge of commodity, manufacturing, and category level trends to partners.
• Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers.
• Support and execute all sourcing initiatives, including:
  • Sustainability - achieving materials and Scope 3 emissions targets.
  • Elevated product quality - including adherence to global regulatory requirements.
  • Cost control and profitability strategies - recommend alternative construction, material, and manufacturing to meet margin targets.
  • Award projects to achieve optimal supplier loading and ensure production efficiency.
  • International Labor Standards (ILS) - work with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met, under supervision of Manager.
  • Innovation - proactively seek new opportunities, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation with suppliers.

Product Development and Costing

• Maintain detailed timelines and development trackers for all open projects, tracking and reporting weekly on costing and sampling progress.
• Act as primary contact with suppliers, follow-up and verify the accuracy of data, resolve routine issues, and ensure vendor alignment with Disney processes and procedures.
• Analyze detailed cost breakdowns as part of the supplier bidding process.
• Review and finalize final project allocation to suppliers; formally communicate awards to suppliers and maintain all sourcing data points within PTC Windchill Flex Product Lifecycle Management tool (PLM).
• Adhere to all costing and development milestones as outlined by the Product to Market (PTM) Calendar.
• Execute, under direction of their manager, re-costing/re-development activities based on production challenges that impact item aesthetic.

Productivity and Process 

• Track and shepherd the development sampling process from prototype through pre-production.
• Accountable for monitoring progress of development and sampling against key milestone dates; communicate development and sampling status to Manager and cross-functional partners.
• Assist in preparation of any ad hoc reports as requested (time & action calendars, status updates, etc.) and consult with Product Integrity to ensure standards for safety and quality in all intended sale markets, including monitoring quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) with product integrity partners.  Report testing concerns to cross-functional teams.
• Complete sourcing data entry tasks including PLM, item setups, costing roadmaps, and invoicing.

Collaboration and Communication

• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Communicate costing and development status to global and regional partners via email or team meetings.
• Prepare ad-hoc reports as requested (production timelines, margin roll ups, status updates, etc.)
• Actively participate in weekly cross-functional and development meetings to understand key issues and action items and actively engage in Sourcing team organizational vibrancy, collaboration, and team activities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• 3+ years related experience preferably in sourcing, product development, consumer products or equivalent field
• Knowledge and/or experience working with toys, games, or dolls is highly preferred.
• Ability to manage timelines for vertically developed product across a high volume of items.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to effectively communicate difficult messages.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple design and development partners, a team player.
• Proven track record of effectively communicating and negotiating with suppliers/manufacturers.
• Ability and desire to be flexible, adapt to change and grow within the organization.
• Exposure to sourcing, production, merchandising, and/or planning process of multiple product categories.
• Schedule flexibility to accommodate global time zones.
• Proficiency in Microsoft programs (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams).
• Knowledge of Windchill FlexPLM and Smartsheet systems is preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, product design/development, supply chain, or related/equivalent professional experience.

Additional Information:

• Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life! This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits