Global Supplier Manager
Now Hiring | Fabric & Garment Supplier | Melbourne
The Brand |
Australian superior quality fabric and custom- made garment supplier with a strong focus on school wear, sportswear and corporate wear. Fast growing business managing some of the largest suppliers to schools nationwide. Collaborative and cohesive team working across four local and overseas locations, with a focus on quality, efficiency, competitive pricing and impeccable customer service standards. Committed to continual improvement and operational excellence, trust and autonomy in spades.
The Role |
Seeking an experienced Global Supplier Manager to oversee and optimize supplier relationships across Vietnam, China, and other key regions. This role is critical to ensuring the delivery of high-quality products on time and within budget, while driving supplier performance and supporting the company’s growth and strategic goals.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in supplier management within the garment industry and a strong understanding of the unique requirements of producing school wear and other similar customised apparel. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Supplier Manager will work closely with production, sales, and overseas offices to address challenges, create efficiencies, and develop long-term supplier strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Relationship Management:
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure long-term alignment with company objectives.
Act as a point of escalation for supplier-related issues, ensuring prompt resolution while maintaining supplier trust.
Regularly communicate with suppliers to address concerns, share updates, and ensure mutual understanding.
Ensure suppliers are aligned with company objectives, such as quality, delivery timelines, and cost efficiency.
Supplier Performance Management:
Set and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for suppliers, including quality, delivery timelines, and responsiveness.
Develop supplier scorecards to evaluate performance and identify areas for improvement.
Collaborate with underperforming suppliers to implement corrective actions and improvement plans.
Problem-Solving and Issue Resolution:
Identify recurring issues or bottlenecks in the supplier relationship or operations.
Work with production and sales teams to understand specific issues and determine if they point to larger systemic problems.
Address and resolve escalated issues, such as quality defects, delivery delays, or miscommunication.
Develop strategic plans to address root causes, ensuring long-term solutions.
Forecasting and Capacity Planning:
Collaborate with production and sales teams to forecast future demand and ensure suppliers have adequate capacity.
Identify and address potential gaps in supplier capacity early to avoid disruptions.
Assisting in Supplier Sourcing and Onboarding:
Identify company needs for supplier capabilities and capacity, ensuring the supply chain aligns with business goals.
Oversee the onboarding of new suppliers, with local country heads leading the process. Ensure adherence to company standards during onboarding.
Evaluate potential suppliers based on compliance, quality, capacity, and ethical practices, with an emphasis on their ability to meet the specific demands of school wear production.
Contract Negotiation and Management:
Oversee yearly contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service agreements.
Manage ongoing contract updates or renegotiations as needed.
Ensure contracts balance cost efficiency with quality and delivery reliability.
Monitor supplier pricing trends and identify cost-saving opportunities within the supply chain.
Compliance and Risk Management:
Oversee supplier audits to ensure compliance with quality, ethical, and regulatory standards.
Monitor and mitigate risks related to supplier operations, including geopolitical, environmental, or industry-specific challenges.
Conduct regular supplier audits to verify adherence to standards and address any violations.
Ensure suppliers align with the company’s sustainability and ethical goals.
Process Improvement:
Collaborate with the overseas office and local country heads to identify inefficiencies in supplier-related processes.
Propose and implement solutions to streamline operations and improve communication across teams.
Introduce tools or systems to enhance supplier tracking, communication, and performance measurement.
Quality and Delivery Assurance:
Take accountability for ensuring suppliers meet the company’s quality standards and delivery deadlines.
Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to implement quality assurance measures and minimize defects or delays.
Supplier Portfolio Strategy:
Work with leadership to develop strategies for diversifying or consolidating the supplier base.
Assess supplier dependencies to reduce risks associated with single-source suppliers.
Supplier Training and Support:
Support suppliers with resources, training, and knowledge-sharing to help them meet company standards.
Provide feedback to suppliers on areas where they can improve processes or efficiency.
Technology Integration:
Oversee the implementation of supplier management tools or systems to improve visibility and data tracking.
Use analytics to make data-driven decisions about supplier performance and improvements.
The Skillset |
7+ years of experience in supplier management, sourcing, or procurement within the garment or textile industry.
Familiarity with the production of school wear or other customized garments is highly desirable.
Proven experience managing suppliers in Vietnam, China, or similar regions, with a strong understanding of CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) operations.
Familiarity with cultural and operational norms in Vietnam, with fluency in Vietnamese highly preferred.
Strategic thinker with the ability to address systemic issues and develop actionable plans.
Strong negotiation skills, balancing cost efficiency with supplier satisfaction.
Analytical and data-driven, proficient in using ERP systems and supplier management tools.
Collaborative and communicative, capable of working across teams and building trust with suppliers.
Proactive problem solver with a focus on long-term solutions and continuous improvement.
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, operations, or a related field.
Certifications such as CPSM or CSCP (preferred but not required).
Fluency in Vietnamese (preferred) and proficiency in Mandarin (bonus).
The Offer |
Competitive salary based on experience.
Performance-based bonuses tied to meeting/exceeding KPIs
Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
Travel opportunities to supplier sites and production facilities.
If you are interested in this role, please feel free to reach out to: jo@thetalentmill.com.au
The Talent Mill Recruitment division is a bespoke consultancy and talent acquisition specialist within the fashion, lifestyle and retail industries. With more than 10 years specialist expertise with luxury, lifestyle & fashion brands globally we discover, recognize, and connect inspiring individuals to the most desirable brands as a trusted support to founder-led start-ups, SME’s and multinational corporations within the fashion & retail industry.
Recruitment – but make it ethical not transactional. Quality over quantity – always. Truly consultative and delivered at pace. We hold a genuine passion and expertise for the industries we support, and offer a unique and modern recruitment proposition – one where we develop long term, meaningful connections, add value and deliver an unforgettable service.