Sr. Coordinator, Global Sourcing

New Era Cap, LLC. is an international lifestyle brand headquartered in Buffalo, NY with an authentic sports heritage that dates back over 100 years. Best known for being the official on-field cap for MLB, official sideline cap for NFL, and official on-court cap for NBA, New Era Cap is the brand of choice not only for its headwear collection, but also for its accessories and apparel lines for men, women and youth. The brand is worn as a symbol of self-expression by athletes, artists and some of the most interesting people around the globe. New Era Cap encourages people to truly express their personal style and individuality through its products.

Since 1920, this family-owned business has hired employees who are masters of their craft. We are innovators, architects of culture, experts, and forward thinkers. We demand excellence because we pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the authenticity of our brand. 

Interested in working with us? Check out this exciting opportunity at New Era Cap’s Headquarters (HQ) building located in downtown Buffalo, NY. This role is 100% on-site, encouraging employees to collaborate and connect in person five days a week. HQ offers an inviting atmosphere, complete with an on-site café, fitness center, and Flagship store.

Apply to join New Era's team!

The Sr. Coordinator, Global Sourcing plays a critical role in executing New Era's global sourcing and product development strategies across headwear, apparel, and accessories. This position serves as a key link between internal product teams and global supplier partners, supporting the development process from concept through production readiness.
 
Working closely with Merchandising, Design, License Management, Raw Materials, Quality, Planning, Production, Logistics, Social Compliance, and Innovation teams, the Sr. Coordinator manages seasonal development timelines, oversees sample execution and delivery, supports supplier allocation and costing decisions, validates product quality and construction, and ensures fabrics, trims, and other raw materials are developed and approved before production.
 
The ideal candidate combines strong organization and follow-through with practical knowledge of product development, sourcing, costing, quality, and supplier management to deliver high-quality products on time and at target cost.

The Global Sourcing team at New Era Cap is responsible for identifying, managing, and optimizing relationships with global suppliers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective materials and production. They partner with cross-functional teams to support product development, maintain supply continuity, and drive efficiency, compliance, and value across the sourcing process.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Merchandising, Design, License Management, Production, Planning, Logistics, Customer Service, Social Compliance, Quality, Raw Materials, and Innovation teams to execute the end-to-end product development process and Time and Action Calendar (TAC)
• Execute seasonal sourcing and supplier allocation decisions in accordance with the approved global sourcing strategy
• Coordinate product development with global supplier partners across Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, ensuring clear communication of requirements, priorities, and timelines
• Manage the sample development process from initial prototype through production approval, including prototype, fit, sales, strike-off, pre-SMS, and pre-production samples, as applicable
• Ensure Vendor Requests and required product information are accurately entered and maintained in PLM, and that samples are completed, shipped, and delivered on time
• Review samples for quality, construction, workmanship, materials, color, embellishment, and overall execution; communicate clear comments and drive timely corrections with suppliers and internal partners
• Interpret specifications, sourcing tech packs, and design intent, and collaborate with Design and suppliers to maximize product execution while supporting cost and manufacturability objectives
• Analyze supplier quotations and costing information for prototype and commercial reviews; support negotiations to achieve target margins and competitive costs without compromising quality or delivery
• Recommend cost-management actions to address excessive costs, lead times, minimum order quantities, or other development challenges
• Support supplier allocation recommendations using the best overall mix of cost, quality, delivery, capacity, speed, compliance, and execution capability
• Coordinate the development, testing, approval, and forecasting of fabrics, trims, embellishments, and other raw materials to ensure readiness for bulk production
• Confirm that required samples, approvals, costing, technical information, testing, and raw materials are complete before purchase orders are issued and production begins
• Communicate style exceptions that do not meet category margin targets to Merchandising teams before costing is finalized
• Partner with Quality and suppliers to resolve product-quality issues during development and production, including root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Track development milestones and proactively identify, communicate, and escalate risks that could affect product quality, cost, delivery, or responsible purchasing practices
• Develop and maintain sourcing and development reporting metrics using established reporting platforms
• Support supplier-development and continuous-improvement initiatives across sourcing, product development, production, quality, compliance, and other Supply Chain functions
• Own assigned cross-functional projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with objectives, timelines, and defined success measures
• Keep all sensitive matters confidential 
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of headwear and/or apparel product development, construction methods, manufacturing processes, and commercialization
• Experience coordinating offshore product development and working with global suppliers
• Ability to evaluate sample quality, construction, materials, workmanship, and manufacturing feasibility against product requirements
• Knowledge of fabric, trim, embellishment, and raw-material development and approval processes
• Ability to interpret specifications, sourcing tech packs, bills of materials, and product-development documentation
• Demonstrated ability to analyze quotations, negotiate costs, and support margin improvement and lead-time reduction initiatives
• Ability to organize multiple product lines and development milestones, prioritize competing demands, and consistently meet deadlines
• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to recommend actions that improve cost, quality, delivery, and business results
• Strong cross-functional communication, supplier-management, and relationship-building skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to anticipate challenges, resolve issues, and escalate risks appropriately
• Working knowledge of PLM, ERP, and MRP systems, supplier management, and quality processes; SAP experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based business applications
• Positive, collaborative approach with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and accountability
• Ability to support change initiatives and the adoption of new processes, systems, technologies, and sourcing strategies

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Product Development, Merchandising, Textile Design, or a related field highly preferred; relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in global sourcing, product development, and/or overseas manufacturing
• Demonstrated ability to build credible, productive relationships with suppliers, internal partners, and employees

Travel Requirement

• The location for this position is 100% on-site in Buffalo, NY
• 5% - 10%; domestic and/or global

The salary range for this posted position is $58,000-$68,000 (plus bonus & benefits) and pertains to candidates located in Western New York. Actual compensation will fall within this range and is determined by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, education, essential job duties and requirements, and necessary experience.

New Era Cap, LLC’s casual work environment celebrates individuality and encourages employees to showcase their personal style. We pride ourselves on offering competitive compensation, a generous PTO policy, along with world-class benefits designed to promote health, financial stability, and personal growth.

As an employee, you'll enjoy a range of perks, including paid parking, exclusive discounts on apparel and headwear, and professional development opportunities right here on-site. We can't wait for you to experience all that our dynamic workplace has to offer!

#LI-Onsite #LIOnsite #LI Onsite