Job Title

Lead Associate for Home & KitchenAs theLead Associate , you will orchestrate the growth of our Home & Kitchen Private Label brands while simultaneously managing a high-performing ecosystem of marketplace sellers and vendors. You aren't just buying products; you are building a profitable, scalable marketplace vertical through rigorous costing analysis, strategic sourcing, and expert vendor relations.Roles & Responsibilities 1. Strategic Sourcing & Costing Bottom-up Costing:Conduct detailed "Should-Cost" analysis by breaking down raw materials (e.g., stainless steel, polymer, wood), labor, and overheads to ensure we are buying at the most competitive price points. P&L Ownership:Manage the landing cost (COGS), including freight, duties, and packaging, to protect healthy contribution margins for the marketplace. Quality vs. Cost:Balance price negotiations with quality benchmarks to ensure low return rates in the Home & Kitchen category. 2. Vendor & Seller Management Strategic Onboarding:Identify, vet, and onboard high-potential manufacturers and sellers who can meet the scale of a digital marketplace. Performance Management:Monitor vendor KPIs, including fill rates, lead-time adherence, and product defect rates; take corrective action or off-board underperforming partners. Relationship Governance:Act as the primary escalation point for vendor disputes, payment reconciliations, and contract renewals. 3. Advanced Negotiation & Contractual Strategy Commercial Negotiations:Lead high-stakes negotiations on payment terms (e.g., Net-60/90), volume-based rebates, and marketing co-op funds. Exclusivity & MOQs:Negotiate exclusive designs or "first-to-market" rights for trending Home & Kitchen items while optimizing Minimum Order Quantities to manage inventory risk. 4. Marketplace Dynamics Competitive Benchmarking:Constantly track "Street Price" and competitor offerings to adjust procurement strategies and maintain our price leadership position. Stock Health:Collaborate with the demand planning team to ensure high-velocity Home & Kitchen items never go out of stock.