Marketing Procurement Assistant/Associate Specialist (Packaging)

Job Description 

At Abercrombie & Fitch, quality is in our roots, and we are on a mission to honor this rich heritage. With an unwavering focus on our customers, we strive every day to deliver a unique and welcoming experience, whether in our stores or online. Our five global brands, Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist are the embodiment of our passion for incredible products. At the heart of it all is our amazing 500-acre campus, nestled just outside of Columbus, Ohio. With an open workspace, inspiring views, and even a place to gather as a team around the fire pit, our Home Office fosters a diverse and inclusive culture that consistently seeks the input of our associates and focuses on the future. We are looking for leaders, visionaries, and creatives who are willing to roll up their sleeves and write the next chapter in our brand’s legacy.

Marketing Procurement manages all Global marketing sourcing activities (both services and goods) for the Abercrombie & Fitch portfolio of brands. The Marketing Procurement Associate Specialist (Packaging) is a central point of contact within the company for any branded packaging goods, facilitating fundamental supplier relationship processes, sourcing and development, and driving continuous improvements across those categories. We are looking for a naturally curious self-starter with strong critical thinking skills who successfully demonstrates flexibility and agility in a fast-paced and dynamic, digitally led environment. A person in this role must also be a relationship builder and be able to team up with others, as there are high levels of coordination required between business partners, stakeholders, and key strategic suppliers.

This job is located at our Global Home Office in Columbus, Ohio.  

 

What Will You Be Doing? 

• Build & nurture cross functional partnerships with marketing and operational business areas to understand their packaging requirements
• Team Up with Finance, Legal, Store Operations, Marketing, DC Operations, Transportation along with the business partners impacted by sourcing decisions; you will use sourcing development, analytics, budget requirements and reporting to help make decisions regarding vendor selection and specification finalizations
• Assist in facilitation of the supplier selection process through RFI, RFP, or other techniques to effectively: help ensure suppliers meet all internal and external compliance requirements, facilitate supplier risk management reviews, and source best in class vendors who share our values of inclusion and diversity, sustainability, and social responsibility
• Assist with supplier relationships via a robust, A&F-specific Supplier Relationship Program (includes scorecards, SLAs & KPIs); to ensure proper planning & performance, you will lead Business & Roadmap reviews with strategic vendors
• Help support operations team in managing the inventory of shopping bag programs
• Actively participate in vendor setup, selection, and management
• Work with vendors to ensure production schedule is on track and quickly solve any production delays
• Work with marketing design teams to develop and execute new packaging designs
• Own artwork proofing and production for shopping bag programs, and participate for DTC programs
• Issue and manage purchase order process for special projects and DTC packaging
• Manage quality assurance process for packaging items. Including third party testing, inspection tracking and top of production review, across store operations and DC operation groups.
• Ad hoc development projects
• Perform other duties as directed

 

What Do You Need To Bring? 

• Bachelor's Degree or related experience
• Minimum one year of experience in packaging/print production or equivalent experience required 
• Ability to execute tasks and meet critical deadlines in a proactive, thorough, accurate, and timely manner, while managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced and often-changing environment 
• High level of attention to detail and meticulous follow-through, coupled with the flexibility due to ever-changing needs of the business 
• A collaborative approach to work; builds strong partnerships with business partners 
• Self-motivated, self-starting, and creative thinker; shows resiliency in problem-solving 
• Ability to follow appropriate protocols to work with protected vendor data and maintain confidentiality 
• Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced, structured environment 
• Desire to learn & hunger for more 
• Strong organizational skills 

Our Company  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs. 

The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, YPB, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates over 750 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com, and hollisterco.com. 

At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., we lead with purpose and always put our people first. We’re proud to offer equitable compensation and benefits, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, as well as education and engagement events, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.  

Benefits & Perks  

As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:  

• Incentive bonus program
• 401(K) savings plan with company match
• Annual companywide review process 
• Flexible spending accounts 
• Medical, dental and vision insurance 
• Life and disability insurance 
• Associate assistance program 
• Paid parental and adoption leave 
• Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot 
• Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
• Paid Caregiver Leave
• Mobile Stipend
• Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community 
• Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year) 
• Seven associate wellness half days per year 
• Merchandise discount on all of our brands 
• Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within 
• Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups 
• Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU! 

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER