Apparel Sourcing Manager, Men's Activewear
Basis Set Ventures is an AI-native venture fund founded in 2017. It invests in early-stage companies building artificial intelligence, infrastructure, automation, robotics, healthcare, and other technology products, while providing hands-on support to founders.
About Basis Set Ventures
Basis Set Ventures is an early-stage venture fund focused on scaling human potential with artificial intelligence. The firm describes itself as AI-native and supports founders from the earliest stages through investment, research, operational support, recruiting, sales assistance, and technical expertise. Its portfolio includes companies working across AI infrastructure, intelligent collaboration, automated workflows, autonomy, robotics, healthcare, supply chains, creative tools, and enterprise software. The firm serves technology startups and their founders, positioning itself as a first capital partner and long-term operating resource.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will build and lead Quince's Apparel sourcing function for Men's Activewear from the ground up, with potential to expand into other categories. You will identify and onboard new vendor partners in China, negotiate terms, and manage the entire relationship from initial scouting through scaling. You will drive continuous improvement across existing supplier relationships, working to enhance product cost, quality, and commercial terms. You will act as a trusted ambassador in all partner interactions and work to reduce development timelines by identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
Requirements
- 10+ years sourcing and merchandising experience in apparel and men's activewear categories with high-end national brands in the United States
- Proven ability as a self starter and quick independent learner
- Exceptional attention to detail with a data driven approach to decision making
- Strong analytical mindset with focus on execution and process improvement
- Deep understanding of the product development process utilizing factory and vendor expertise
- Continuous learner with a proactive attitude adaptable to changing circumstances
- Track record in supply chain management or operations
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication and presentation skills
Responsibilities
- Scout for vendor partners in China who can manufacture high quality products with fast production lead time
- Pitch and onboard vendor partners quickly with clear criteria around the initial test period and scaling potential
- Drive excellence in partner operations for existing supplier relationships while expanding the supply base
- Improve Quince's product costs, quality, and commercial terms
- Act as an ambassador to partners in all interactions, building and deepening relationships
- Drive higher hit-rate launches through product excellence
- Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to drive faster development times