Associate Sourcing Manager - Hardlines
Basis Set Ventures (Basis Set) is an AI-native venture capital fund founded in 2017 that invests in early-stage AI companies, positioning itself as the first capital for founders. The firm backs startups across automated workflows, autonomy, intelligent collaboration, and scalable infrastructure, serving early-stage AI founders and startups as its typical clients.
About Basis Set Ventures
Basis Set Ventures is an AI-native venture fund founded in 2017, built on the science of minds and machines, that recently announced its $250M Fund IV. The firm positions itself as the first institutional capital for founders and provides hands-on, 24/7 'founder concierge' support, acting as its portfolio companies' first customer, sales rep, bug reporter, and recruiter. It invests in AI-first startups spanning categories such as automated workflows, autonomy, intelligent collaboration, and scalable infrastructure, with portfolio companies including Quince, Cusp, Path Robotics, OpenArt, Entire, Tigris Data, Mem0, Vizcom, Simular, and Sakana. Basis Set also publishes original research and perspectives on topics like trucking operations, global customs, maritime transport, real estate, agriculture, and AI agent infrastructure, and runs a Basis Set AI Fellows program for individuals to work on hard problems within the firm and its portfolio companies. Its typical clients are early-stage, AI-native startup founders across a range of industries including consumer, infrastructure, robotics, and enterprise software.
Skills
About the Role
You will support the growth and development of the Sourcing function in Window Hardware, Decor, Kitchen, and Tabletop categories. Working closely with the Sourcing Manager, you will identify vendor partners, support onboarding processes, and help build scalable supply chains that deliver on cost, quality, and speed. This is a great opportunity for you to grow your career in sourcing within a fast-paced, high-impact environment where you'll take on real ownership and accountability.
Requirements
- 3 years + sourcing, merchandising, or supply chain experience, ideally within Window Hardware, Decor, Kitchen, and Tabletop categories or adjacent home goods categories, specially in Window Hardware and Décor
- Passionate about product quality and customer experience, with an eagerness to grow into a strategic sourcing role
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment
- Strong attention to detail with a data-informed approach to decision-making and problem-solving
- Solid analytical foundation with an interest in process improvement, cost analysis, and vendor performance tracking
- A continuous learner with a proactive, open-minded attitude and adaptability to new challenges and perspectives
- Foundational understanding of supply chain management or retail operations, with a desire to deepen expertise
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams and with external partners
- Comfortable working under pressure with a results-oriented mindset and willingness to challenge the status quo
Responsibilities
- Assist in scouting and evaluating vendor partners in the region capable of manufacturing high-quality Window Hardware, Decor, Kitchen, and Tabletop products with competitive production lead times
- Support the pitching and onboarding of new vendor partners, ensuring alignment with established criteria around test periods, quality standards, and scalability potential
- Help manage and strengthen existing supplier relationships within current categories, contributing to improvements in product costs, quality, and commercial terms
- Monitor and track capacity at the supplier and style level, flagging risks and opportunities to the Sourcing Manager to keep pace with company growth
- Develop foundational open costing skills by learning to build and validate cost structures and templates, supporting negotiations with vendor partners using fact-based costing data
- Represent Quince professionally in all vendor interactions, acting as a positive brand ambassador to build and maintain strong partner relationships
- Support efforts to improve launch hit-rates through product quality initiatives and identifying development bottlenecks for resolution
- Develop a working understanding of the sourcing landscape, trade regulations, and commercial factors that influence product costs and speed-to-market for the USA, Canada, and Europe
- Contribute to the refinement of existing processes and SOPs, bringing a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to continuous improvement efforts