Procurement Manager (asia), Apparel

Procurement Manager (Asia), Apparel

Quince was started to challenge the existing idea that nice things should cost a lot. Our mission was simple: create an item of equal or greater quality than the leading luxury brands and sell them at a much lower price.

Customer First. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority.

High Quality. True quality is a combination of premium materials and high production standards that everyone can feel good about.

Essential design. We don't chase trends, and we don't sell everything. We're expert curators that find the very best and bring it to you at the lowest prices.

Always a better deal. Through innovation and real price transparency we want to offer the best deal to both our customers and our factory partners.

Environmentally and Socially conscious. We're committed to sustainable materials and sustainable production methods. That means a cleaner environment and fair wages for factory workers.

Quince is a retail and technology company co-founded by a team that has extensive experience in retail, technology and building early stage companies. You'll work with a team of world-class talent from Stanford GSB, Google, D.E. Shaw, Stitch Fix, Urban Outfitters, Wayfair, McKinsey, Nike etc.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a highly analytical, strategic, and results-driven Procurement Manager, Apparel (China & SEA) to take ownership of apparel product procurement and deliver consistent, measurable margin impact across our global portfolio. This role is integral to achieving cost and margin targets by scrutinizing vendor quotations, refining and validating localized should-cost models, and leading robust, fact-based vendor negotiations.

The Procurement Manager will report into the Sr Manager, Global Procurement Hub (Apparel) (US-based) and work closely with them to align on cost and margin objectives. Success in this role will require deep expertise in vendor negotiations across Greater China and South East Asia, a mastery of apparel cost structures, and the ability to execute data-driven strategies that optimize supplier performance and profitability.

Fluency in Mandarin is mandatory, with proficiency in an additional South-East or East Asian language strongly preferred.

Responsibilities:

Procurement Leadership & Strategy:

• Own and manage procurement strategy and execution for apparel vendors across Greater China and SEA.
• Drive consistent cost optimization through vendor negotiations, aligned with global cost/margin targets.
• Lead the end-to-end quotation-to-award process, including RFQs, supplier evaluations, business awards, and volume allocation.
• Collaborate with global cross-functional partners (including but not limited to Merchandising, Sourcing, Product Development, Finance) to ensure Procurement strategies support broader business goals.

Quotation Review & Cost Analysis:

• Rigorously analyze and scrutinize vendor quotations, with focus on detailed, localized cost structures: materials, trims, labor, packaging, overheads, and logistics.
• Refine, validate, and leverage country-level should-cost models to benchmark supplier pricing and identify negotiation opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights into vendor pricing discrepancies, cost drivers, and emerging cost trends across the region.
• Lead fact-based, analytical vendor negotiations to drive competitive cost structures while maintaining quality and reliability.

Cost Efficiency & Business Impact:

• Strategize and execute cost-efficiency initiatives across the apparel portfolio to deliver consistent margin improvement.
• Track raw material, labor, and manufacturing cost trends in the region; proactively adjust procurement approaches to mitigate cost risks.
• Support financial planning and budgeting processes through accurate cost forecasting and scenario modeling.
• Partner on global margin-improvement projects to drive sustainable cost reduction across categories.

Technology & Data Management:

• Utilize procurement and cost-tracking tools to maintain accurate, real-time visibility into supplier pricing, negotiation outcomes, and cost variances.
• Collaborate with Technology teams to optimize procurement workflows and support automation initiatives.
• Use data visualization and reporting tools to present insights, negotiation strategies, and recommendations effectively to senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• Proven negotiation expertise – Demonstrated success in vendor negotiations within apparel manufacturing, with focus on cost optimization.
• Analytical & financial acumen – Strong ability to assess cost structures, validate should-cost models, and leverage analytics to drive procurement strategies.
• Regional expertise – Deep understanding of apparel vendor landscape in Greater China and South East Asia, including cost structures and market dynamics.
• Project management skills – Ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver procurement/cost-savings initiatives effectively, managing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Industry knowledge – Experience in procurement processes within apparel and/or apparel manufacturing sectors
• Technological proficiency – Advanced skills in Excel/Sheets and experience with procurement or cost-tracking systems.
• Language skills – Mandarin (Professional level mandatory); secondary South-East or East Asian language (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills – ability to present insights clearly across global teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in supply chain, business, or a related field.
• Familiarity with digital procurement tools and supplier management software.