Creative Sourcing & Production Manager

K18 is a company focused on hair freedom through biotech innovation. They are seeking a Creative Sourcing and Production Manager to lead the sourcing and production of brand materials for global marketing initiatives, ensuring quality and cost efficiency throughout the production process.

Responsibilities:

• Source and maintain relationships with domestic and international factories, particularly across Asia and Domestically
• Identify and vet new vendors capable of producing high-quality branded materials at competitive costs
• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, lead times, and payment terms directly with factories
• Develop sourcing strategies that prioritize direct factory relationships to reduce COGS and improve production flexibility
• Analyze quotes from multiple vendors and present clear cost comparisons and production recommendations to stakeholders
• Build detailed cost breakdowns factoring in production cost, tariffs, duties, and estimated freight to determine total landed cost
• Recommend vendors that best balance cost, quality, reliability, and timeline requirements
• Manage the sampling and prototype process from initial concept through final approval
• Review and evaluate samples with creative and marketing teams to ensure they meet brand standards and design specifications
• Provide structured feedback to vendors and factories to refine quality, materials, and finishes
• Oversee final pre-production approvals before manufacturing begins
• Collaborate with Creative Project Managers to oversee production calendars tied to campaign launches, product releases, marketing initiatives, and events
• Coordinate production timelines with internal creative and marketing teams to ensure on-time delivery
• Track vendor progress and proactively manage risks that could impact deadlines
• Partner with the Operations team to ensure smooth transition from production to fulfillment
• Align on shipping timelines, freight planning, and required SKU/UPC info, documentation prior to handoff
• Provide Operations with finalized vendor details, production schedules, and shipment readiness to support freight coordination and logistics execution
• Partner closely with Creative, Brand Marketing, Events, and Operations teams to translate creative concepts into feasible production plans
• Communicate production updates, vendor recommendations, and potential risks clearly to internal stakeholders
• Ensure production decisions support both brand quality and business efficiency

Requirements:

• 3–5+ years of experience sourcing and producing branded merchandise, packaging, printed materials, or marketing collateral
• Proven experience sourcing directly from factories rather than solely through distributors
• Experience working with international manufacturers, particularly across Asia
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, MOQs, and production timelines with vendors
• Experience comparing vendor bids and presenting cost analysis and sourcing recommendations
• Experience calculating landed cost including tariffs, duties, and freight considerations
• Strong understanding of production timelines and launch-driven production schedules
• Experience managing vendor sampling processes and quality feedback cycles
• Strong project management and production planning skills
• Excellent negotiation and vendor relationship management abilities
• Ability to interpret and communicate cost structures and sourcing strategies clearly
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable managing production timelines across multiple vendors and time zones
• Experience producing promotional branded merchandise, mailers, or experiential/event materials
• Existing relationships with global manufacturers or sourcing networks
• Experience working within creative, brand, or marketing organizations