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Sourcing Manager, Merchandise Sourcing and Product Development

The Sourcing Manager, Merchandise Sourcing and Product Development drives product development and sourcing strategies for the confectionary and packaged consumables category portfolio for Parks Product Development and Retail with a dedicated focus on domestic Theme Parks & Resorts.  The Sourcing Manager is an independent driver for developing short and long-range supplier strategies to support distribution of product lines while balancing the need for localization and speed-to-market.  Strategies must balance meeting key financial strategies and seasonal merchandise/design objectives while driving progress on key sourcing initiatives such as sustainability and source country diversification.

The Sourcing Manager will shepherd the product development and sampling process from concept through Final Line Review in close partnership with Product Design and Merchandising. Key responsibilities include confectionery vendor and ingredient innovation; feasibility assessments; recommendations on formulation, sourcing, packaging, and flavor profiles for manufacturing; cost analysis and estimates; supplier negotiations; managing vendor communication; and overseeing the sampling process through final approved development samples, final cost, and vendor placement by Final Line Review.

This individual must have deep, hands-on expertise in the candy/confectionery industry, including significant experience in product development, sourcing, supplier management, flavor and ingredient considerations, packaging, labeling, and food safety requirements. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of confectionery market trends, related commodities, and the global supplier landscape, with the ability to translate that knowledge into compelling, high-quality consumer products.

This position reports to the Senior Manager, Merchandise Sourcing and Product Development, and requires domestic and/or international travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sourcing Strategy

• Execute short- and long-range supplier strategies in partnership with the Merchandise Strategy and Product Development teams.  Complete the annual Supplier Scorecard and Evaluations with input from cross-functional partners and hold collaborative business planning and performance review meetings with suppliers.
• Partners with Trade Compliance, Product Integrity, Food Safety, and Sourcing & Procurement to ensure compliance with applicable laws and safety requirements.
• Support and execute all Sourcing initiatives, including:
  • Sustainability: Achieve materials and Scope 3 emissions targets.
  • Elevated product quality: Adhere to regulatory requirements and monitoring labeling and product composition changes to ensure products consistently meet established standards and regulations.
  • Cost Control and Profitability: Leverage extensive confectionery industry expertise to proactively monitor and mitigate macro-economic, geo-political, agricultural, and ingredient-related cost or delivery impacts to the business, including sugar, cocoa, dairy, nuts, flavorings, colors, labor rates, packaging inputs, trade agreements and disputes, and regulatory or environmental policy changes.
  • Supplier Diversification:  Identify the strategic need for new suppliers and manufacturers as applicable, working with internal and external partners to explore and vet potential new suppliers, including leading costing and sampling exercises and supplier onboarding.
  • International Labor Standards: Collaborate with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure all compliance policies are met.
  • Innovation: Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers. Organize vendor innovation meetings to review market and manufacturing innovation on a seasonal basis.  Attend industry trade shows annually to stay current on Packaged Consumables trend and identify potential new suppliers and resources.

Product Development and Costing

• Actively identify opportunities for new products.
• Drive material recommendations for sustainable product ingredients or packaging engineering solutions to ensure sustainability goals are met.
• Partner with Product Design to manage packaging and labeling finalization including final development samples, costing, and vendor placement to ensure on-time delivery by established launch dates.
• Optimize merchandise productivity and profitability by identifying and mitigating cost drivers.
  • Complete preliminary costing and final business placement rollup, inclusive of country-of-manufacture distribution, margin by channel, and vendor loads.
  • Approve finalized costing and vendor placement, including all variant costing or sourcing for all adopting regions’ quantities.
• Partner with Trade Compliance on Tariff Engineering, if applicable, to implement solutions that benefit domestic and international distribution.
• Direct any re-costing or re-development activities based on production challenges that impact item aesthetics, formulation, texture, shelf life, or flavor profile.
• Manage packaging inventory and liability in partnership with Planning and Merchandising to minimize risk and liability, while maximizing in-stock position. 
• Develop packaging that utilizes fewer materials, is sustainable, and is adaptable to changes in labeling requirements, Extended Produce Responsibility, and other applicable regulations affecting one time use food packaging.
• Effectively master and utilize tools and resources such as AI, PLM, Business Objects, Microsoft Office Suite, and other proprietary systems for day-to-day costing and development.

Production and Process 

• Supervise all samples and shepherd approvals through delivery.  Accountable for monitoring progress of development and sampling against key milestone dates; communicating development and sampling status to Merchandise and Design during weekly cross-functional meetings.
• Prepare standard and ad hoc reports as requested (time & action calendars, status updates, etc.).
• Responsible for ensuring products meet established standards for safety and quality in all intended sale markets, including monitoring quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) for non-food items with product integrity partners.
• Complete workflow of data entry tasks including item setups, financial roadmaps, and invoicing, and supervise supplier involvement in and compliance with International Labor Standards and food safety standards.
• Track item production in collaboration with cross-functional Supply Chain Intelligence and Logistics teams; provide routine verbal and written updates and reporting on delivery timeliness for new and replenishment orders.  Proactively mitigate any disruptions within Supply Chain and Manufacturing to ensure business continuity. 

Collaboration and Communication

• Develop and cultivate strong partnerships with best-in-class suppliers across TWDC.  Build teams within the global Merchandise, Design, and Planning teams as they pertain to the sourcing and development of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise, with the goal of driving results for all partners.
• Influence partners, articulates a compelling business case, and drives change effort to build commitment, guide, and support new initiatives, while demonstrating flexibility in response to change. 
• Lead regularly scheduled development and costing meetings with suppliers and international partners which may include evening hours to accommodate global time zones.
• Facilitate regular meetings with suppliers/vendors to review volume of business, verify the accuracy of provided data, resolve routine issues, and ensure supplier alignment with Disney processes and procedures.
• Attend regular product strategy meetings as requested to develop sourcing strategies around key initiatives.
• Leverage knowledge of the Company’s products and services to manage the needs of diverse stakeholders and ensure effective collaboration with cross-functional partners and vendors.

Leadership

• Lead high-performing teams to support organizational productivity and growth needs.  Exhibit flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strengthen teamwork, team capability, and innovation while driving accountability to results.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.              
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members through all aspects of supplier strategy, cost negotiation, placement, product development, product safety/quality changes and on-time deliveries.
• Hold self accountable to high performance standards while managing complex projects and resources, with a strong emphasis on integrity, feedback, and resilience. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in product development, merchandising, or sourcing with significant direct experience in the candy/confectionery industry is required. Candidates should have demonstrated success managing confectionery products from concept through commercialization, including supplier selection, product development, costing, packaging, and quality and regulatory considerations.
• Must have substantial experience sourcing and developing candy/confectionery products across a range of forms and formats, with strong knowledge of relevant commodities markets, ingredient inputs, flavor development, packaging requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Strong understanding of confectionery packaging production, including printed paperboard, flexible packaging, and seasonal gifting formats, as well as ingredients, formulations, labeling requirements, shelf-life considerations, and applicable food safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong team player with ability to work collaboratively with multiple design, merchandising, and channel commercial partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Negotiation, financial acumen, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to execute margin goals and annual operating/financial plans.
• Ability to manage multiple SKU’s and timelines/deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

This role is subject to current TWDC requirements including 4 days in-person presence on-site at a Company designated location in Central Florida.  TWDC in-person requirements are subject to modification at any time.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience in the candy or confectionery industry with branded, licensed, seasonal, novelty, or giftable product lines.
• Established network of candy/confectionery suppliers, co-manufacturers, and packaging partners.
• Experience with formulation changes, flavor development, ingredient sourcing, and commercialization of confectionery items.
• Knowledge of confectionery-specific consumer trends, innovation pipelines, and market dynamics.
• Experience managing global or multi-market confectionery sourcing and regulatory requirements.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Product Development/Design, Business, Supply Chain, or 7-10+ years of related experience.

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