Assistant Sourcing Manager
Company: The Walt Disney Company
Location: Kissimmee
Posted on: April 1, 2026
|
|
|
Job Description:
Job Posting Title: Assistant Sourcing Manager Req ID: 10138883
Job Description: Assistant Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Textiles
and Materials Sourcing Role Summary: The Assistant Sourcing Manager
(ASM), Sustainable Textiles and Materials Sourcing, assists with
sustainable fabric sourcing and development and supports the
physical and digital Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) fabric
library. In this role, you will support a “fabric first” strategy
and materials process discipline throughout the product-to-market
process. In partnership with the Sourcing Manager, Sustainable
Textiles, you are responsible for assisting in the execution of
sustainable fabric sourcing strategies across categories and/or
departments. The ASM supports development, collaboration, and
achievement of product quality, time/cost efficiency, and revenue
growth objectives. The ASM supports the development of pre-season
and in-season sustainable fabric sourcing. This role works
cross-functionally and partners with Product Designers, Merchants,
Sustainability Strategists, Technical Designers, and Regional
Offices to assist in developing fabrics for products that realize
the global vision. The ASM supports Product Design teams to help
ensure that all fabrics meet sustainability targets, margin goal
objectives, and are in alignment with the category sourcing
strategy, driving optimal quality for Disney Branded Merchandise.
This role assists in the achievement of The Walt Disney Company
(TWDC) 2030 Sustainable Materials goals. The ASM helps establish
and maintain a working library of core and sustainable materials
and trims within PLM and other resource tools. The individual
contributes at all stages of the product pipeline, including
assisting with fabric testing and in-season bulk fabric reviews.
This role also assists with managing calendar deadlines,
development tracking, and daily communication with Suppliers and
internal business partners. This position reports to the Sourcing
Manager, Sustainable Textiles and Materials Sourcing. The ASM
provides support and assistance with operational and organizational
functions to develop and source sustainable fabrics under the
strategic guidance of the Sourcing Manager. Responsibilities
Include the following; other duties may be assigned. Assist the
Sourcing Manager in building and maintaining the physical and
digital PLM fabric, trim, yarn, and wash libraries with core,
novelty, and sustainable options, including mill and costing data.
Enter and maintain material data library in the PLM system,
including directional costing and MOQs; update quarterly cost
fluctuations under guidance. Assist in executing mill and vendor
strategies on costing, placement, and production management of
textiles and trims. Support cost negotiations and delivery terms
with Suppliers; maintain fabric detail sheets and fabric headers
for all fabrics in the library under supervision. Regularly update
cross-functional teams on fabric and trims costing trends as
directed. Assist the Sourcing Manager in identifying future fabric
and material development requirements; support proposal of new
material R&D opportunities. Assist in sourcing cost-effective
sustainable alternatives and support negotiation of volume-related
cost reductions. Utilize tools to support Category Sourcing
Managers in costing simulations based on material selections.
Assist in analyzing sustainable fabric needs across brands and
categories; support recommendations to cross-functional partners
for leveraging qualities/platforming fabrics across Brands and
Categories, utilizing the fabric, trims, and wash resource library.
Apply knowledge of sustainable fabrics and certifications; ensure
fabrics meet safety and quality standards under guidance. Assist in
research and development of fabrics, trims, print techniques, and
washes with sustainable options for review with Design, working
within aesthetic and cost parameters. Assist in facilitating review
of production lots, swatches, and knit downs. Assist in maintaining
QC log on bulk fabrics, including dye lots; catalog bulk approvals;
gather and review Supplier reports on fabric defects and review
results with mills under supervision. Assist in reviewing fabric
submits and facilitate communication of approvals or comments to
Suppliers in partnership with Product Design, Sourcing, and Brand
Merchandising. Support seasonal and ongoing fabric development,
including day-to-day meetings and communications with design,
fabric mills, global sourcing, and overseas offices under guidance.
Support cross-functional meetings to review fabric by populating
agendas and recaps, identifying development charts with meeting
notes, and communicating results of fabric reviews to Suppliers as
directed. Support collaboration with Product Integrity team to
ensure proposed materials meet all existing and foreseen
Safety/Quality/Regulatory guidelines. Assist with daily
communication and follow-up with vendors and fabric suppliers to
ensure fabrics are being developed, delivered, costed, and produced
appropriately, resolve routine issues, and ensure compliance with
Disney processes, procedures, and quality standards under
supervision. Assist in maintaining data integrity of the digital
fabric library in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software.
Qualifications and Skills Technical understanding of fabric
construction and performance. Demonstrated understanding of fiber,
yarn, fabric, knitting, washing, dyeing, finishing, testing, and
garment construction. Exposure to sourcing and production of
textile products. Knowledge of sustainable fabric certifications
and manufacturing processes. Effective communication skills with
cross-functional partners and Suppliers/Manufacturers. Ability to
assist with development of various fabrics and timelines in a
fast-paced environment. Ability to work collaboratively with
multiple design and development partners; a team player. Active
self-starter and learner; ability to adapt quickly to changing
business strategies and corporate sustainability priorities.
Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management System(s). Exposure to
production manufacturing and product engineering, global trade
regulations, global testing protocol, global product integrity,
production cycle timeline, calendar management, fabric performance,
and garment/product construction. MS Excel skills that can be used
to combine and analyze data from various sources, and generate
reports. Ability and desire to be flexible, adapt to change, and
grow with organization. Schedule flexibility to accommodate global
time zones. Required Education Bachelor’s degree in
Textiles/Material Science/Merchandising/Product Development/Design,
Retail Management, General/International Business, Supply Chain, or
equivalent professional experience. Work Arrangement: This role is
considered hybrid, which means the employee will spend most of
their time (usually 4 days, Monday-Thursday) on-site from a Company
designated location in Central Florida and the remainder of their
time remotely. Job Posting Segment: NA - Global Product Job Posting
Primary Business: NA - Global Product Primary Job Posting Category:
Retail Merchandising - Sourcing Employment Type: Full time Primary
City, State, Region, Postal Code: Kissimmee, FL, USA Alternate
City, State, Region, Postal Code: Date Posted: 2026-01-12
Keywords: The Walt Disney Company, North Port , Assistant Sourcing Manager, Retail - All , Kissimmee, Florida