Sourcing Specialist

About Lowe s

Lowe s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week in the United States. With total fiscal year 2023 sales of more than $86 billion, Lowe s operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Bengaluru, Lowe s India develops innovative technology products and solutions and delivers business capabilities to provide the best omnichannel experience for Lowe s customers. Lowe s India employs over 4,200 associates across technology, analytics, merchandising, supply chain, marketing, finance and accounting, product management and shared services. Lowe s India actively supports the communities it serves through programs focused on skill-building, sustainability and safe homes. For more information, visit, www.lowes.co.in .

About the Team

Lowe s Global Sourcing is a one strong team with a presence across different countries. Our work begins with vendor scouting, where we consistently identify, evaluate, and select the best potential suppliers for the business. We focus on establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with vendors to ensure the best cost, best quality, on-time deliveries and ensure proper logistics management and quality assurance.

Job Summary:

The Sourcing Specialist is primarily responsible for executing and supporting Sourcing Director (SD) s / Senior Sourcing Manager (SSM) s tactical plans for areas of product responsibility, coordinate vendor sourcing / evaluation, vendor / product development activities and provide support to SD / SSM to ensure on time execution and quality products that meet or exceed our customer s needs / expectations.

The Sourcing Specialist is also responsible for tracking, monitoring and raising awareness as to the progress of programs and other initiatives set forth by SD and SsM. Organize and maintain all project related data resource needs. Promote collaboration and teamwork across functional India office business areas and LGS US in order to achieve on time program success. Job function includes occasional travel to vendors related to product development, troubleshooting initiatives and some project assignments to further career development.

To accomplish this, the Sourcing Specialist must have knowledge of import sourcing practices / procedures, project management skills, experience in retail business and good communication skills.

The Sourcing Specialist works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure flawless program execution and on time shipment.

Core Responsibilities:

Vendor Development - Support SD s/SM s tactical plans for areas of product responsibility and coordinate vendor sourcing, vendor / factory evaluation, and vendor & product development activities. Coach vendors in utilization and understanding with key initiatives such as sourcing process and related system operation. Resolve operational issues proactively with the collaboration with cross functional teams.

Project Tracking / Delivery - Be responsible and accountable for tracking, monitoring and raising awareness as to the progress of projects and other initiatives set forth by SD and SM. Monitor priorities, deadlines and expectations to gain efficiencies. Communicating progress and information on time, identifying and recommending ways to address improvement opportunities when possible. Perform additional related responsibilities as requested.

Pursues self-development and effective relationships with others by organizing resources and information. Openly share information, advice and expertise with business partners. Seek performance feedback. Adapt to and learn from change, difficulties and feedback.

System / Data Maintenance - Coach vendors Lowe s import processes & systems for business efficiencies and data accuracy. Utilize tools and other mechanisms for database maintenance and file / document management. Identify, recommend and implement the improvement opportunities of current processes and procedures (way of working) with collaboration of cross functional teams.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Core Competencies:

Communicating Effectively - The skill to write, present, and listen effectively. This includes adjusting the amount, style, and content of the information to fit the audience. This also includes the ability to convey a compelling message.

Decision Making - The ability to solve routine problems and make fact-based decisions. This includes using available information sources (e.g., business metrics, policies and procedures, coworkers) to make decisions. This includes the ability to recognize and escalate new problems as appropriate.

Demonstrating Personal Flexibility - The ability to demonstrate resourcefulness and resilience in the face of change, obstacles, and adversity. This includes adapting to competing demands and shifting priorities. This also includes improving adaptability, pursuing new skills and knowledge, and regularly seeking feedback from others.

Getting Organized - The ability to be organized, resourceful, and planful. This includes the ability to leverage multiple resources to get things done and lay out tasks in sufficient detail. This also includes the ability to get things done with less and in less time, work on multiple tasks at once without losing track, and to foresee and plan around obstacles.

Keeping on Point - The ability to prioritize work activities. This includes identifying which tasks are most important, avoiding distractions, and dealing with setbacks in a timely manner.

Understanding the Business - Knowledge of the business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do his/her job. This includes knowledge of various types of business propositions, how businesses operate in general, and easily learning new methods and technologies.

Dealing with Trouble - The ability to quickly and directly address problems, find common ground, and persevere on tough assignments. This includes a willingness to be centrally involved in debates and facilitating conflict discussion and resolution.

Acting with Honor and Character - The ability to be consistent and act in line with a clear and visible set of values and ethics. This includes maintaining high character and integrity, dealing and talking straight, walking his/her talk, and being direct and truthful but at the same time keeping confidences.

Relating Skills - The ability to relate well to all types of people. This includes being friendly and interpersonally agile. This also includes being easy to approach and talk to, as well as having the ability to make pleasant first impressions and build solid relationships.

Functional

Strategic Sourcing - Knowledge of sourcing process including product development, private branding, supplier identification, selection & evaluation; strategic buyer & vendor partner relationship development and shipment lead time management.

Manufacturing - Knowledge of materials, factory operation, manufacturing processes and quality.

Retail Math - Knowledge of product costing, tax & duties, currency, payment terms, lead time and inventory turn and understand how these parameters impact cash flow, sales and margins.

Project Execution - Demonstrates discipline in completing assignments; Delivers quality work; Seeks feedback on work product and is responsive and coachable; Seeks guidance as necessary and to appropriate degree; Focuses on execution of specific assignments while taking time to understand the broader context; Strong desire to receive and leverage critical feedback.

Import Process Knowhow - Ability to follow Lowe s import process and procedures to guide vendors to execute program successfully.

Transportation - Knowledge of and ability to develop and use strategies, practices and tools for arranging the transportation of goods to and from suppliers, distribution centers, retail stores and consumers.

Logistics - Knowledge of and ability to develop and use, strategies, practices and tools to understand, predict and/or control the movement goods, materials and supplies through the supply chain.

Business Statistics - Knowledge of the tools, processes, and practices that describe business results in measurable scales; ability to use this knowledge and data to assist in making business decisions.

Years of Experience:

3+ Years

Education Qualification & Certifications (optional)

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management or related fields
• 3+ years of experience in International Business, Sourcing, Merchandising, QA and/or Logistics, preferably the US market.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong oral and written communication skills with fluency in English and predominate local language(s)

Preferred Qualifications :

• Relevant industry experience related to retail market is a plus
• Knowledge of manufacturing process and import sourcing practices / procedures is a plus
• Advance Excel skills, Power BI and highly analytical mindset.

Skill Set Required

Primary Skills (must have)

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong oral and written communication skills with fluency in English and predominate local language.

Secondary Skills (desired)

• Advance Excel skills, Power BI and highly analytical mindset.

Lowes is an equal opportunity employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.