PBS Sourcing Associate

Position Title: Sourcing Associate

Department: Product & Brand Services

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Employment type: Full time

Location: In office – Zumiez Home Office – Lynnwood, WA

Wage range: $27.00-28.84 an hour

Reports to: Sourcing & Production Manager

Position Summary

Headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, Zumiez operates over 700 stores in North America, Europe, and Australia.  We operate under the names Zumiez in North America, Blue Tomato in Europe, and Fast Times in Australia.

The Zumiez Product and Brand Services (PBS) team is responsible for over 30 unique brands spanning various categories including men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and snow/skate hard goods.  These brands are comprised of owned brands and licensed brands.

The PBS Sourcing and Production team is looking for a Sourcing Associate to support the Printables & Raw Materials team. The Sourcing Associate is responsible for managing the costing and sample tracking for assigned categories and monitoring time and action calendars to ensure quality and on-time delivery.   

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage costing, development tracking, and supplier communication for assigned product categories. 

• Monitor time & action calendar (TAC) and development milestones to ensure materials are approved, booked, and delivered on time; escalate risks as needed.
• With manager support, analyze tech pack details to determine appropriate costs.
• With manager support, negotiate product costs and collaborate with internal & external partners to meet appropriate product costs and IMU% goals.
• Support raw material sourcing strategy through supplier management, capacity evaluation, and development initiatives.
• Communicate directly with blank suppliers and internal partners regarding costing, availability, development status, quality concerns, and delivery timelines.
• Monitor raw material supply risks and proactively communicate solutions to maintain program continuity and support direct-to-garment (DTG) shop production needs.
• Partner with DTG, Buying, and Production teams to address raw material issues and support uninterrupted production flow.
• Assist with forecasting, capacity reviews, and inventory planning discussions with internal & external partners to support current and future business needs.
• Assist team as needed with writing and maintaining purchase orders.
• Liaise with buyers and suppliers to adjust deliveries as needed with a focus on maintaining product flow to support direct-to-garment (DTG) shop production flow.
• Assist with resolution of vendor claims and issues in a timely manner.
• Support multiple calendars with internal and external partners.
• Assist on projects as needed.
• Embrace and foster the Zumiez Culture and Brand.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• College degree strongly preferred; preferably with course work related to textiles, sourcing and production
• 1+ years of production related experience is required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, team-oriented environment
• Ability to reprioritize quickly and efficiently to rapidly changing needs and situations
• High attention to detail
• Exceptional written/verbal communication skills
• Good time management skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Ability to problem solve through critical thinking
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize workload
• Ability to learn by doing rather than reading a manual or formal training
• May travel domestically and/or internationally up to 2 weeks per year

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit in stationary positions in an office environment for extended periods of time and work on a PC without limitations
• Constantly positions self to maintain computers and desk equipment
• Ability to move in an office environment in order to access files and gather information
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery
• The person in this position frequently communicates with internal employees and external partners. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Occasionally may move office equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to distinguish colors and inspect materials on product

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, following an initial wait period.
• 401k after meeting qualifications
• Bonus Eligible
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• Stock Purchase Program
• Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment
• Employee Discount on Zumiez product
• On-site skate park, on-site cafeteria