Senior Specialist, Merchandise Sourcing

Universal Orlando•Orlando, FL

About The Position

This role will lead sourcing initiatives for assigned merchandise categories, including but not limited to softlines and toys, across our parks and UDX divisions. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with brand management, product design, product development, and supply planning teams to drive synergies, implement sourcing strategies, execute corporate initiatives, and understand expanded manufacturing capability requirements. The role also includes researching companies to develop and onboard new vendor/manufacturing resources, as well as managing relationships with our current supplier base.

Requirements

A degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of this requirement.
3+ years’ experience in sourcing field required with 2+ years and inventory management role; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills in supervising or leading the work activities of others may be required.
MS Excel: Advanced level of analytical capabilities. Ability to gather, interpret data from multiple sources and identify economic trends.
MS PowerPoint: Ability to translate information from analysis and convey information effectively in PowerPoint.
Requires interaction with global partners outside normal business hours.
Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
Proficiency in procurement software and tools.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Have the ability to perform these operations using units of American & Foreign money, weight measurement, volume and distance. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Experience with computerized purchasing system required.
The position requires a vast knowledge of suppliers and manufacturers, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong communication and negotiation skills, good math and analytical skills as well as the ability to work in a high pressure, fast paced environment.
Consistent attendance is a job requirement.

Nice To Haves

Theme Park or entertainment related company experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Analyze supply base and vendor spend to support category strategies and vendor negotiations to maximize value, quality, cost savings, and mitigate risk. Utilize this analysis to drive recommendations to the product development team for competitive sourcing of new products. Evaluate single source situation as necessary.
Partner with product development team and logistics on total cost of ownership to include tariffs, development costs, carrying costs associated with lead and transit times.
Research companies to develop new manufacturing resources for assigned categories across geographic regions to support category initiatives. Facilitate the system set up and on boarding of new suppliers to include required agreements, insurance and tax documents, and to secure favorable terms for the UDX business units. Compiles metrics & KPI’s for related areas. Maintain and update supplier database and completes necessary paperwork and reports. Compiles metrics & KPI’s for related areas as assigned.
Facilitate competitive sourcing processes related to retail supply and component materials such as shopping bags, packaging, and developed technology components. Execute formal documents detailing commitments with each vendor, ensuring clarity and compliance. Facilitate tracking against these commitments, whether they are time or quantity based.
Ensure adherence to company policies, relevant laws and ethical standards in all sourcing activities as well as all required approvals related to branded items, product integrity and factory compliance standards.
Deliver comprehensive training on sourcing strategies to our product development teams.
Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.