About this role.
Quince is seeking a senior Sourcing Manager to build and scale its men's leather outerwear sourcing operation. The role focuses on finding and onboarding UK and European vendors, managing supplier capacity, negotiating open costs, and improving product quality, lead times, and commercial terms. Candidates need 10+ years of men's apparel sourcing and merchandising experience, with direct expertise in high-end men's leather outerwear manufacturing. This is an entrepreneurial, high-autonomy position requiring hands-on supply-chain execution and strong collaboration with international stakeholders.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
5/5Pace & Pressure
5/5Autonomy Level
5/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader UK market for similar roles.
Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Apparel Sourcing Manager role for Men's Leather Outerwear at Quince. With deep experience in apparel sourcing, supplier development, open costing, and leather outerwear manufacturing, I can build and scale a resilient vendor network across the UK and Europe.
I bring a hands-on, commercially disciplined approach to qualifying factories, negotiating with T1 through T3 partners, improving lead times, and protecting product quality. I would welcome the opportunity to help Quince deliver exceptional leather outerwear at compelling value while strengthening sustainable, long-term supplier partnerships.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Sample interview questions
I would begin by defining a supplier scorecard covering leather category capability, technical construction quality, capacity, compliance, lead times, costing transparency, and willingness to support a test order. After validating references and production capabilities through factory assessments and sample reviews, I would run a tightly scoped pilot with agreed quality gates, delivery milestones, and scale-up terms. I would use the pilot results to determine whether the supplier can become part of a diversified long-term vendor base.
I use an open-costing template that separates leather yield, trims, labor, washing or finishing, overhead, freight, duties, and supplier margin. I validate key assumptions against market benchmarks and material specifications, then negotiate based on volume, efficiency opportunities, alternative materials, and payment or production terms rather than relying only on a vendor's quoted price. This approach protects quality while creating a fact-based path to sustainable cost improvement.
I would create a supplier-and-style capacity plan that maps available production slots, material lead times, critical-path milestones, and demand scenarios. I would maintain backup suppliers for strategic styles and proactively escalate risks such as leather availability, factory loading, or approval delays. Regular cross-functional reviews would ensure merchandising, product development, quality, and logistics teams make decisions early enough to protect launch dates.
I would review the full development timeline from design handoff through sample approvals, material booking, production, quality inspection, and shipment. For example, I have reduced cycle time by pre-aligning construction standards, approving core materials earlier, establishing clear sample decision deadlines, and working with suppliers on parallel rather than sequential development activities. The goal is to remove bottlenecks without compromising fit, durability, or finish quality.
I would present clear data on cost drivers, supplier performance, capacity, launch readiness, quality results, and the trade-offs associated with each decision. I adapt the level of detail for executives, product teams, and factory partners, but keep ownership, deadlines, and decision criteria explicit. This creates alignment across functions and nationalities while allowing the sourcing team to move quickly.
ABOUT QUINCE
Founded in 2018, Quince was built to challenge the idea that nice things have to cost a lot. Our mission is simple: to make really high quality essentials for really low prices, produced fairly and sustainably. We believe everyone deserves exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design without the traditional markups. Quince is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model that cuts out middlemen and leverages just-in-time manufacturing to minimize waste and maximize value.
Quince is a tech company disrupting the retail industry by putting AI, analytics and automation at the center of everything we do. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and company values guide our teams and actions:
Customer First: We prioritize customer satisfaction in every decision.
High Quality: True quality means premium materials and rigorous production standards you can feel good about.
Essential Design: We focus on timeless, functional essentials instead of chasing trends.
Always a Better Deal: Innovation and transparency ensure value for both customers and partners.
Social & Environmental Responsibility: We commit to sustainable materials, ethical production, and fair wages.
Quince partners with world-class manufacturers across the globe and serves millions of customers. With strong investor backing and a focus on sustainable growth, we are a company that is rapidly scaling while maintaining a commitment to quality, simplicity, and radical price transparency.
OUR TEAM AND SUCCESS
At Quince, you will be part of a high-performing team that is redefining what quality, value, and sustainability mean in modern retail. We are a destination for builders, innovators, and operators to come together and challenge the status quo. Our collective ambition is bold. We are creating an entirely new category and customer experience – one that democratizes luxury and provides high quality products at radically low prices. That mission demands a world-class team committed to excellence.
If you are motivated by impact, growth, and purpose, you will find a strong sense of belonging at Quince.
THE ROLE
Apparel – Sourcing Manager, Mens Leather Outerwear (EUR)
We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Sourcing Manager specifically for our Men’s Leather Outwear category This person will be tasked with identifying and onboarding new vendor partners from scratch. The role will focus primarily on Men’s Leather Outwear category with potential expansion into other categories.
This is a rare opportunity to own and build a sourcing operation in a high-impact category. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of category manufacturing, strong vendor relationships (or the ability to cultivate them), and the operational rigor to scale new supply chains that deliver on cost, quality, and lead time.
Responsibilities
- Scout for vendor partners in the UK and Europe who can manufacture high quality Men’s Leather Outerwear products with fast production lead time
- Pitching and on-boarding vendor partners in speed. This should be done with clear criteria around the initial test period and ensuring their ability to scale, if the test period is successful.
- Drive excellence in partner operations for existing supplier relationships within current Quince categories, while expanding a redundant supplier base improving Quince’s product costs, quality, and commercial terms for sustainable sales and profitability
- Manage capacity at a supplier and style level to keep pace with company growth and scale
- Material Sourcing: Resource in speed any materials that can effectively improve product cost, quality and speed as options for scaling order. Have experience negotiating with suppliers throughout the supply chain from T1 to T2 & T3 (as needed) mill/ vendor partners.
- Open costing expertise: Have solid open costing breakdown experience from brand or manufacturer side to build a clear strategy for costing negotiations; able to construct a validated cost structure/ template to negotiate with vendor partners without relying on vendor data only.
- Act as an Ambassador to our partners in all interactions, building and deepening our relationships Continuous improvement
- Drive for higher hit-rate launches (reviews, returns, sales) through product excellence and drive for faster development times by identifying bottlenecks and proposing solutions
- Have a clear strategic, commercial understanding of the sourcing landscape and trade benefits that can improve product costs and speed of product to market destined for the USA, Canada, and Europe as an asset.
- Lead at 30,000 ft and 3000 ft involving a diverse set of stakeholders from different functions and nationalities. Be willing to be scrappy at times to improve on existing ways of working and redefining new processes and SOP for faster speed and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Experience: 10 year + sourcing and merchandising experience in Men’s apparel categories with high-end national brands in the United States & Europe specifically in Men’s Leather Outerwear.
- Consumer focused and ambitious individual providing strategic leadership and act as a role model in business with self assurance, pride, and passion that exudes personal and professional impact
- Self-Motivated: Proven ability as a self starter and quick independent learner adapting swiftly to new challenges
- Detail Oriented: Exceptional attention to details with a data driven approach to decision making and problem-solving.
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with a focus on execution, process improvement, and brand enhancement.
- Curiosity: Continuous learner with a proactive attitude, open to new perspectives and adaptable to changing circumstances.
- Supply Chain or Operations Background: Good track record in supply chain management or operations contributing to a well-rounded understanding of the retail landscape.
- Collaborative Nature: Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration across teams, skilled in written and verbal communication and presentation.
- Resilient under pressure and relentless in the drive to create broader impact by being bold and challenging the status quo.
Pay Range: £100,000.00 – £135,000.000 GBP
All posted ranges are reflective of base salary and may vary depending upon experience level and location. Bonus and equity may also be provided for eligible roles.
Pay Range
£100,000—£135,000 GBP
WHY QUINCE?
Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY
Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds
At Quince, we’re dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.
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