Role Overview
Lion is seeking an experienced Global Sourcing Manager to lead the strategic sourcing and supply management of fabrics, trims, and related raw materials used in the production of technical garments, uniforms, and personal protective equipment. This role is critical to ensuring material performance, cost competitiveness, supplier reliability, and continuity of supply across Lion’s global manufacturing network.
The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge of textile materials and manufacturing processes, strong global supplier relationships, and a data-driven approach to cost modeling, negotiations, and supply chain optimization.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for fabrics, trims, and material components supporting technical apparel and uniform programs
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, and ongoing performance management across global textile and trim suppliers
- Apply strong technical knowledge of fabrics, fiber types, weaving/knitting, finishing, and dyeing processes to support material innovation, quality, and cost optimization
- Build and maintain detailed cost models, including fiber costs, labor, overhead, freight, duties, and inflationary impacts
- Drive cost competitiveness through strategic negotiations, volume leverage, long-term agreements, and value engineering initiatives
- Negotiate and manage supplier agreements, including pricing, lead times, service levels, capacity commitments, and risk mitigation clauses
- Partner with internal stakeholders (Product Development, Quality, Operations, Planning, and Finance) to align material strategies with product and business needs
- Understand and manage global transportation processes, including modes, Incoterms, and logistics cost drivers; identify opportunities to offset inflationary pressures
- Monitor supply chain risks and geopolitical factors impacting raw materials and proactively develop mitigation strategies
- Track and report on key supply chain KPIs, including cost savings, supplier performance, on-time delivery, material availability, and total landed cost
- Support sustainability, compliance, and responsible sourcing initiatives in alignment with Lion’s corporate values
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Textiles, Materials Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field
- 7+ years of experience in global sourcing in with materials management, or supply chain roles within apparel, textiles, or technical product environments
- Strong understanding of fabric construction, dyeing and finishing processes, and performance material requirements
- Proven experience working with global suppliers and co-manufacturers across multiple regions (Asia & EMEA preferred)
- Demonstrated expertise in cost modeling, supplier negotiations, and long-term sourcing agreements
- Solid knowledge of global transportation, logistics, and inflationary cost drivers
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable sourcing strategies
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional, global environment
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Textiles, Materials Science, Engineering, Business, or related field
- 7+ years of experience in global sourcing, materials management, or supply chain roles within apparel, textiles, or technical product environments
- Strong understanding of fabric construction, dyeing and finishing processes, and performance material requirements
- Proven experience working with global suppliers and co-manufacturers
- Experience working across Asia and EMEA
- Demonstrated expertise in cost modeling, supplier negotiations, and long-term sourcing agreements
- Solid knowledge of global transportation, logistics, and inflationary cost drivers
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional, global environment
What We Do
LION is always ready to make sure you're ready for what's next. We have a legacy and ongoing vision of introducing new products and services — designed to ensure the health, safety and performance of the first responders and military personnel who serve our communities and our country. LION PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Our game-changing PPE innovations are designed to best prepare firefighters, EMS teams and law enforcement officers for the dangers and hazards they encounter on the emergency calls. Our first responder garments also include high-performance CBRN ensembles, rescue wear and LION StationWear™. Additionally our LION TotalCare® maintenance programs help to extend PPE wear life and safety performance, LION FIRE TRAINING Our state-of-the-art fire training tools and custom training facilities provide the global workforce and first responders with realistic, repeatable training scenarios, keeping them prepared for the potential live-fire dangers they face on the job. LION MILITARY LOGISTICS Paradigm-shifting supply chain and logistics programs from our LVI division help keep equip our warfighters for the rigors of training and the challenges of battle. Always keeping first responders ready for action....before, during and after.
