Footwear Purchase Specialist

Job Title- Footwear Purchase Specialist (Footwear Merchandising)

Location- Mumbai (Footwear specialist), Pune (apparel/D2C purchase expert)

Department - Supply Chain Logistics

About Us

Frido is dedicated to enhancing daily living through innovative, ergonomic solutions that promote comfort and well-being. Our mission is to design the next generation of products to empower people to walk, sit, and sleep better. Each product we create is fueled by the same passion that drove us to innovate from day one: to give people the freedom to do more. Join us in our mission to transform everyday struggles into freedom and joy. Discover Frido, and experience the freedom to live life your way.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Footwear Purchase Executive to manage end-to-end sourcing, vendor coordination, and procurement operations for our footwear category. This role requires strong commercial acumen, vendor management skills, and an understanding of footwear materials, costing, and production cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Vendor Management

o Identify, onboard, and manage footwear manufacturers and material suppliers

o Build strong relationships to ensure reliability, quality, and scalability

• Sourcing & Procurement

o Execute purchase orders based on demand forecasts and inventory plans

o Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and payment terms with vendors

o Ensure cost efficiency while maintaining product quality

• Product & Material Understanding

o Work closely with design and product teams on material selection (fabrics, soles, trims, etc.)

o Ensure samples meet required specifications before bulk production

• Inventory Planning

o Coordinate with planning teams to maintain optimal stock levels

o Avoid stock-outs and overstocking

• Quality & Compliance

o Ensure products meet quality benchmarks and brand standards

o Coordinate QC checks and resolve production issues

• Production Coordination

o Track order status from sampling to final delivery

o Ensure adherence to timelines and escalate delays proactively

• Data & Reporting

o Maintain purchase records, vendor performance metrics, and cost sheets

o Analyze procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities

Mandatory Skills

1. Category Understanding

• Strong understanding of footwear construction (uppers, soles, lasts, materials)

• Knowledge of sourcing hubs (Agra, Ranipet, China, Vietnam etc.)

2. Vendor Management & Negotiation

• Proven ability to negotiate pricing and commercial terms

• Experience managing multiple vendors simultaneously

3. Costing & Commercial Acumen

• Ability to break down product costing (material, labor, logistics, margins)

• Strong focus on cost optimization

4. Supply Chain & Planning

• Understanding of procurement cycles, lead times, and inventory planning

• Ability to align supply with demand forecasts

5. Quality Control Awareness

• Familiarity with QC processes, sampling stages, and defect identification

6. Execution Rigor

• Strong follow-ups and ownership of timelines

• Ability to handle multiple SKUs and orders simultaneously

7. Data & Tools

• Proficiency in Excel / Google Sheets (must-have)

• Ability to manage trackers, POs, and basic data analysis

Preferred Skills (Good to Have)

• Experience in D2C or e-commerce brands

• Exposure to ERP systems

• Understanding of import/export processes

• Basic design sensibility (helps in vendor discussions)

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 3–4 years of experience in footwear/apparel sourcing or buying

• Prior experience with manufacturers or D2C brands preferred

• Highly detail-oriented, structured, and execution-focused

Interested candidates can share their resume on

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