Location: Sri Lanka
State/Province/City: Remote
City: Sri Lanka
Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)
Time Type: Full-time
Associate General Manager, South Asia
Description & Requirements
Who we are
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
About this team
The lululemon Liaison Office (LLO) team is dedicated to ensuring our components are produced of the highest quality, delivered when we need them, and manufactured with partners who share our commitment to elevating the world. Not only do we manage the production of great products, we also build great relationships.
A day in the life:
You are the senior leader of lululemon in Sri Lanka. Build and lead a team capable of managing a growing vendor base. Report regularly and accurately on South Asia performance and use this information to manage and improve business results.
In addition, lead the Production and Merchandising function in South Asia. Leading the in-country team of Managers/ Sr. Merchandisers Production and Merchandising, responsible for ensuring on time performance and "best cost best product" at our finished goods vendors.
- Create and build a lululemon team culture, by scheduling and facilitating regional all-office huddles
- Foster, and identify opportunities for collaboration across the departments
- Scheduling and chairing in-region leadership connection meetings
- Facilitator of office space requirements and planning
- Centralized management of regional office-related budget
- Fielding ad-hoc requests to utilize functional budget for group activities, events, or urgent business issues
- Schedule cross-functional in-region Talking Talent (succession planning discussion)
- Report regularly and accurately to the LLO leadership team on South Asia performance through metrics and KPls
- Be the key sparring partner for other Country/Regional leaders
- Support and drive company-wide (adhoc) initiatives - related to process and/or system improvements
- Support cross-functional leaders based overseas with talent management, including in-country recruitment and onboarding, when needed
General Management - external:
- Supply Chain representative to cross-functional partners for local office coordination and major cross-functional events
- Develop and manage relationships with key strategic vendors, support new vendors onboarding and take accountability to resolve in-country issues
- Represent the company to national government agencies and ensure organizational compliance with national regulatory bodies
- Fielding ad-hoc requests to utilize functional budget for group activities or events from shared services functions.
Production:
- Lead and develop an in-country team to manage the production from BUY confirmation to shipment while reducing air freight
- Lead the resolution of production issues via end-to-end production management, and represent the production team in front of stakeholders
- Manage seasonal vendor-level OnTime Performance
- Onboard and train new vendors on lululemon production and logistics policies, processes, and IT systems; roll out new processes and systems to assigned vendors as needed
- Drive vendor strategy and continuous improvement
- Own lead time rationalization
- Work closely with our Compliance and Quality teams to ensure social compliance and quality standards & goals are met
- Develop a strong and trusting relationship with cross functional teams to build true partnerships and consistent goals
Merchandising:
- Lead and develop the team that partners with Product Development, Design, Costing and Sourcing teams to establish sourcing strategies and optimize the development & costing execution of our products
- Support margin missions, and drive multi-sourcing initiatives and/or carryover developments
- Manage Critical Path from Tech Pack Handoff to Buy Release to ensure key milestones are met
- Lead the Merchandising team's in-season costing activities
- Drive vendor strategy and continuous improvement in collaboration with Costing and Manufacturing Excellence leaders
- Lead efficient vendor relationships that are beneficial to the brand and company
Qualifications:
- Around 15 years of experience in the field of Sourcing/ Merchandising/ Sales/ Production/ Business Management. Prior experience of working with global buying companies is preferable.
- Good industry and customer knowledge.
- Experience in working directly with vendors in Sri Lanka
- Excellent communication/interpersonal skills, and the ability of delivering business results in a complex and dynamic environment.
- Measurable team management experience, including strong intercultural sensitivity, and a passion for unleashing the potential of your colleagues
- Demonstrated self-management/entrepreneurial skills, adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in Sri Lankan and English
Must haves:
- Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
- Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.
- Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same.
- Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
Beyond the Paycheck (Benefits & Perks)
At lululemon, we care for and invest in the whole person – body, mind, spirit. Our total rewards program is designed to support you in achieving your goals and focus on the things you love. In addition to competitive base pay and a team-based bonus program, we also offer paid time off, generous employee discounts, fitness/yoga classes, parenthood top up program and personal and professional development programs.
Note: availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to your location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these benefits and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.
Learn more about what it's like working for lululemon in our Asia-Pacific markets:
#LI-LT1
Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that Lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.
lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us ataccommodations@lululemon.com. In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.