Director, Sourcing - Luggage & Accessories
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 lead vendor relationships and sourcing strategy globally for the Luggage and Travel categories, shaping the foundation of the luggage and travel products supply chain. Reporting into the Head of Global Sourcing, Bags and Accessories, you will own vendor negotiations, drive operational rigor across the supply base, and build long-term partnerships with factories worldwide, all while ensuring ethical sourcing and compliance standards are upheld.
Requirements
- 15+ years of Strategic Sourcing or Procurement, or Supplier Management experience operating with major US market based retailers
- Deep set of partner factories connections within category globally
- Product obsessed with experience in leveraging factories/vendor expertise to design, cost engineer, and bring products to market, with a thorough knowledge of key components and material localised close to factories
- GM mindset with a supply chain background and manufacturing (lean/ JIT) experience
- Highly organized, detail-oriented and analytical with focus on execution, problem-solving, improving processes and brand enhancement
- Continuous learner and highly curious; always open to considering new perspectives; proactive when changing course and facing added challenges
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Bachelor's Degree, preferred
Responsibilities
- Own sourcing strategy and vendor relationships globally for the Luggage and Travel categories, including Hardside and Softside Suitcases, Travel Bags, and Travel Accessories
- Lead vendor onboarding, quality reviews, and commercial negotiations to improve PCOGS and margins
- Drive operational rigor across the global supply base: improve lead times, on-time delivery, and production SLAs
- Identify and onboard new vendor partners with scalable capacity, consistent quality, and competitive cost structure
- Visit vendor partners regularly to build long-term relationships, troubleshoot issues, and conduct quality reviews
- Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Planning, and Operations to ensure product launches and replenishment run smoothly
- Ensure ethical sourcing and compliance standards are upheld across all partners