Associate - Sourcing [Footwear]

About Us:

The Souled Store is a homegrown youth casual-wear brand founded in 2013. Today, we are one of India’s largest online merchandising platforms, with licensing partnerships including Disney, Warner Bros., WWE, IPL and Viacom18 among others.

We create products inspired by pop culture - superheroes, movies, TV shows cartoons—while also staying deeply rooted in evolving youth fashion and lifestyle trends. Alongside our core men’s and women’s apparel categories, we are actively expanding into new product lines such as activewear, Supima products, personal care (perfumes), footwear and backpacks.

While we began as a digital-first brand, we have steadily expanded into offline retail and currently operate 60+ stores across India, with further pan-India expansion underway.

The Souled Store was built on a simple belief: people do their best work when they love what they do. We believe work should be driven by ownership, curiosity, and leadership at every level - not just by titles. Over the years, we’ve built a team of like-minded individuals who work smart, take accountability, and grow with the business.

If you resonate with our culture and want to be part of an aggressively scaling, consumer-first brand, we’d love to have you join us.

Team Summary :

You will be overseeing the strategic sourcing activities within the organization. This role involves developing and implementing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, ensuring cost-effective procurement, and driving continuous improvement in the sourcing process. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the procurement of high-quality goods and services that meet the company's requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, conduct market research, and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Create and manage a preferred supplier list based on performance metrics and company requirements.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuity of supply and adherence to quality standards.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and audits, and implement improvement plans as necessary.
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to achieve the best value for the company.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of purchase orders, invoices, and other procurement documentation.
• Develop and manage the sourcing budget, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Having fair knowledge of the selected category
• Willing to travel and explore new fabric , vendor facilities and production parameters.
• Must have good analytical skills to observe key gaps in order flow and production metrics.
• Must have a problem solving attitude with respect to product development, quality and production challenges.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. MBA or relevant certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in sourcing or procurement, with at least 5-7 years in a managerial role.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful sourcing strategies.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.