Material Sourcing Manager - China

At Kids2, we’re really good at what we do. And when we’re great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs. Parenting is demanding, and that’s where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early stage parents – not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles. No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That’s a big task! We’re serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins. SUMMARY The Material Sourcing Manager elevates the quality, innovation, and cost competitiveness of materials used across Kids2 products globally. This role plays a critical part in identifying, developing, and scaling best-in-class materials across multiple Kids2 Home and Play categories. This individual will act as a bridge between design intent and manufacturing reality—ensuring that materials deliver on premium look and feel, safety, durability, and cost targets at scale. The role is highly cross-functional, partnering with Category, Design, Engineering, and suppliers to bring material innovation to life while maintaining disciplined cost management. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Material Strategy, Sourcing & Cost Optimization Own material sourcing initiatives across key product categories, balancing quality, performance, and cost at scale. Identify and source materials (fabrics, plastics, metals, finishes, trims) that meet Kids2’s design, performance, and cost objectives Develop a deep understanding of material cost drivers, supplier capabilities, and regional sourcing advantages Drive cost optimization through: Material substitutions Supplier negotiations Volume leverage and consolidation Build and maintain a material cost library / database to improve transparency and decision-making Material Innovation & Development Bring forward new materials that elevate product quality and consumer perception. Proactively scout and introduce innovative materials, finishes, and technologies from suppliers and trade markets Partner with Design and Category teams to translate premium design intent into manufacturable material solutions Evaluate materials for: Aesthetic appeal (texture, hand feel, color, finish) Durability and wear performance Safety and compliance (juvenile standards) Support material development from concept through production readiness Supplier Development & Relationship Management Build a strong, capable supplier base that supports innovation and scale. Identify, qualify, and onboard new material suppliers Maintain relationships with key suppliers to ensure: Competitive pricing Reliable quality Innovation pipeline access Conduct supplier visits, audits, and capability assessments Partner with suppliers to improve processes, materials, and cost structures Cross-Functional Collaboration Act as a key partner across global teams to ensure materials enable winning products. Collaborate closely with: Category Management (product strategy & cost targets) Design (aesthetics & consumer experience) Engineering (feasibility & performance) Sourcing & Operations (supplier relationship, costing & production scale-up) Provide clear recommendations and trade-offs on material choices Support development timelines by ensuring material readiness aligns with product milestones Quality, Compliance & Performance Ensure materials meet safety and performance standards. Work with Quality and Compliance teams to ensure materials meet all regulatory, safety and Kids2 requirements Support testing and validation processes Monitor in-market performance and feedback to inform material improvements Location & Travel Based in China (near key supplier/manufacturing hubs preferred) Regular travel to supplier sites and factories QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 5–7 years of experience in material sourcing, textile development, or supplier management Experience in industries such as: Juvenile products Soft goods / textiles Consumer durables Furniture or apparel Strong understanding of materials (fabrics, foams, plastics, metals, finishes) and their applications Experience working with China-based suppliers and manufacturing ecosystems EDUCATION & SKILLS Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Design, Supply Chain, Procurement or related field (or equivalent experience) Strong analytical skills with ability to understand cost structures and trade-offs Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and material applications High attention to detail, especially in evaluating material quality and finish Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong communication skills, with ability to work across global teams Strong communication in English (spoken & written), Cantonese and Mandarin. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS N/A COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint Familiarity with PLM systems and material databases preferred Experience with material testing standards and documentation is a plus PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear. The team member frequently is required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT General office and factory environment, with frequent supplier interaction and on-site visits. We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits. Plus, to keep things fun (because we are all kids at heart), we offer a host of team member activities and philanthropic efforts throughout the year and company-wide awards and recognition for a job well done! Check out our website at www.kids2.com and our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more information and open positions in the career section. Drug Free Workplace M/F/D/V Kids2 is a global company that designs solutions to help early-stage parents and families create tiny wins that build bright futures. The Kids2™ brand portfolio includes the leading infant, baby, and toddler brands Baby Einstein®, Bright Starts®, and Ingenuity®. Headquartered in Atlanta, Kids2 spans globally with 12 offices on four continents serving customers in more than 90 countries and has been inventing and reinventing baby products for 50 years. Led by CEO Ryan Gunnigle, it operates with an agile start-up approach, which fosters the company’s growing success.