URBN Senior Manager, Production and Sourcing Systems

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

URBN is seeking a technically deep, business-savvy Senior Manager, Production and Sourcing Systems to lead a team of four IT professionals responsible for four mission-critical programs: the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, the UK Customs Warehouse, the Regulatory & Compliance system, and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions tracking platform. This leader will set the strategic vision for each platform, translate complex business requirements into scalable technology solutions, and serve as the primary liaison between IT and cross-functional business partners spanning Product Development, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance, Legal/Compliance, and Sustainability.

Requirements

Deep, hands-on knowledge of PLM systems covering the full product lifecycle — from pre-development through sourcing, PO management, logistics, and accounts payable integration.
Experience with PLM integrations to one or more of the following: ERP (e.g., Island Pacific, SAP, Oracle), WMS (Manhattan), Planning Systems (e.g., o9, Anaplan), and AP/Financial systems.
Proficient in SQL for data analysis, troubleshooting, and reporting across relational databases.
Solid understanding of web services (REST/SOAP APIs) and integration patterns (ETL, middleware, event-driven).
Experience with cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, or GCP): infrastructure concepts, cloud-hosted SaaS, and data platforms.
Working knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification and duty rate calculations.
Understanding of customs warehouse operations, duty liability tracking, and bonded warehouse regulations.
Familiarity with cross-border trade compliance including import/export documentation, country-of-origin rules, and preferential trade agreements.
Understanding of freight rates, incoterms, and lead time management across ocean, air, and ground modes.
Experience with logistics systems supporting shipment booking, milestone tracking, and freight cost capture.
Knowledge of AP processes including PO-based invoice 3-way matching, payment terms, and accrual handling.
Understanding of inbound DC operations, specifically carton-level receiving processes, ASN workflows, and system integration with WMS.
10+ years of IT experience with increasing responsibility, including program/project management.
5+ years managing technical teams or direct reports.
Demonstrated experience owning PLM or equivalent enterprise systems across the full product lifecycle.
Strong SQL skills and working knowledge of APIs and cloud-hosted platforms.
Experience in retail, apparel, or consumer goods industries.
Familiarity with customs warehouse regulations in the UK/EU.
Background supporting sustainability or ESG data programs.

Responsibilities

Define and own the multi-year roadmap across four main programs in the Production and Sourcing space, balancing innovation, stability, and cost-efficiency.
Serve as the IT owner for the end-to-end PLM platform (Bamboo Rose), covering: Pre-Development & Sourcing (material sourcing, colorways, tech packs, costing options), Purchase Order (PO) visibility (vendor collaboration and approval processes), Logistics (shipment booking, tracking, freight management), Finance integration (Accounts Payable, invoice matching, actualized cost).
Drive system enhancements, integrations with ERP and other 3rd-party platforms within URBN, and user adoption across global brand teams.
Oversee the technology supporting URBN’s UK Customs Warehouse operation (E2Open’s Ricardo System), including duty suspension tracking, physical stock movements, and HMRC compliance reporting. Also, coordination with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and internal teams on evolving cross-border trade regulatory requirements.
Own the Regulatory and Compliance platform (Inspectorio) that supports product compliance (chemical, labeling, testing, chain of custody), regulatory submissions, and audit readiness. Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Sourcing to capture requirements and deliver compliant, auditable workflows.
Lead the IT implementation and on-going support for URBN’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions tracking platform (Altruistiq) for Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, supporting URBN’s sustainability reporting commitments.
Align program priorities within larger enterprise objectives and evolving business needs; present strategy and status to senior stakeholders.
Manage 3rd-party software vendors and implementation partners: negotiate contracts, oversee SLAs, and ensure delivery commitments are met.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4 IT professionals; foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Define clear roles, objectives, and performance expectations; conduct regular 1:1s and annual reviews.
Build team capability through coaching, training investment, and career development planning.
Build strong partnerships with business stakeholders across Merchandising, Finance, Logistics, Sourcing, Legal, and Sustainability.