The Sourcing Manager sources and maintains manufacturing relationships that ensure a resilient, cost-effective, and high-quality supplier base globally. The Sourcing Manager manages a global sourcing team and partners closely with Product Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to support current business needs and future growth. This role provides strategic direction while remaining hands-on in key supplier decisions, negotiations, and risk management, ensuring alignment between regional execution and global objectives. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Define and execute global sourcing and category strategies for the pet category, and related product categories, aligned with business, margin, growth objectives, and the requirements of key retail accounts. • Lead supplier identification, selection, qualification, and long-term relationship development across global markets. • Manage supplier onboarding progress from prototyping to full production. • Provide strategic oversight and direction to Global Sourcing Lead responsible for category execution and delivering for the company's key retail accounts. • Own costing and commercial strategy, including cost models, margin targets, tooling, and sampling agreements. • Lead and support supplier negotiations on pricing, capacity, lead times, and contractual terms. • Oversee supplier performance management, including quality, delivery, compliance, and continuous improvement. • Partner closely with Product Development and Engineering to support the assigned category development. • Partner with internal teams and the key retailer to align sourcing strategies, timelines, and quality standards. • Ensure effective supplier governance, including NDAs, contracts, audits, and protection of confidential information. • Monitor sourcing budgets, including travel, audits, and quality-related expenses. • Establish and standardize sourcing processes, tools, and reporting across regions. • Assess and mitigate supply, cost, and operational risks; develop contingency and dual-sourcing strategies. • Stay informed on industry trends, supplier market dynamics, and shifts in negotiating power. • Communicate effectively with global suppliers and internal stakeholders across multiple time zones. • Act as the strategic subject-matter expert for the pet and related categories, guiding team members on materials, standards, and supplier selection. • Leverage AI tools for supplier research, benchmarking, cost modeling, and analytics • Apply AI/automation to sourcing workflows, RFQ processes, and performance reporting • Champion AI adoption within the team EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION: • Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field such as Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration would be an asset. • 5+ years of progressive experience in global sourcing. • 5+ years team management experience. • Previous experience sourcing pet furniture, textiles or comparable durable home goods. • Previous experience leading supplier onboarding process including contract negotiation, prototyping, sampling, tooling and full production initiation. • Managing ongoing relationships with suppliers ensuring consistency in pricing, capacity and on-time delivery. • Understanding of standard contractual terms and conditions to mitigate legal and business risk. • Experience negotiating product costs and using data analysis to inform strategic sourcing decisions • In-depth knowledge of product sourcing, production, and product development processes. • Knowledge of product sourcing and vendor management and relevant software. • Understanding of market dynamics and sound business judgement. • Strong project management and leadership skills. • Strong understanding of social, environmental, and process audit requirements. • Demonstrated use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) for productivity • Familiarity with AI-assisted sourcing platforms (Scoutbee, Keelvar) as an asset • Comfort translating AI-generated insights into sourcing decisions TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: • International Travel up to 40%, including factory visits, trade show attendance. • Able to communicate with suppliers existing across multiple time zones, with an understanding that communication may be necessary after regular business hours. NEWAGE OFFERS: • Salary and bonus is based on experience and highly competitive for the right candidate. • This is an existing vacancy and the expected compensation range for this role is CAD $72,500 to $108,700 annually at the time of the posting. • An opportunity within a growing, fast-paced company, well established in its industry. • Fun! We celebrate successes and hold special events to build strong teams. • Our teams work under a remote-first Hybrid model, with the ease of having our North York office accessible for collaboration and/or quiet workspace. HOW TO APPLY: If you're intrigued by job profile described above, we invite you to apply with your resume and cover letter illustrating how you would be an ideal fit with our team. We thank all interested candidates for applying and will contact those who qualify for an interview. No phone calls please. All candidates based in Canada and US are eligible to apply.