Sourcing Manager - Apparel, Men's Activewear (SEA)
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 build and lead Quince's Apparel Activewear sourcing function, focusing primarily on Men's Activewear with potential expansion into other categories. You will scout for vendor partners across Southeast Asia who can manufacture high quality products with fast production lead times, and you will pitch and onboard these partners quickly using clear criteria for an initial test period before scaling. You will drive excellence in partner operations for existing supplier relationships within current Quince categories while expanding the supply base and improving costs, quality, and commercial terms. You will act as an ambassador to partners in all interactions, deepening relationships and pursuing continuous improvement. You will work to drive higher hit-rate launches through product excellence and push for faster development times by identifying bottlenecks and proposing solutions.
Requirements
- 10+ years sourcing and merchandising experience in apparel and activewear categories with high-end national brands in the United States
- Proven ability as a self starter and quick independent learner adapting swiftly to new challenges
- Exceptional attention to detail with a data driven approach to decision making and problem-solving
- Strong analytical mindset with a focus on execution, process improvement, and brand enhancement
- Deep understanding of the product development process, utilizing factory and vendor expertise to bring new products to market quickly
- Continuous learner with a proactive attitude, open to new perspectives and adaptable to changing circumstances
- Track record in supply chain management or operations
- Excellent interpersonal skills, skilled in written and verbal communication and presentation
Responsibilities
- Scout for vendor partners in SEA who can manufacture high quality products with fast production lead time
- Pitch and onboard vendor partners quickly using clear criteria around the initial test period and scalability
- Drive excellence in partner operations for existing supplier relationships within current Quince categories
- Expand the supply base and improve Quince's product costs, quality, and commercial terms
- Act as an ambassador to partners in all interactions, building and deepening relationships
- Drive for higher hit-rate launches through product excellence
- Drive for faster development times by identifying bottlenecks and proposing solutions
Benefits
- Bonus eligibility
- Equity eligibility