Director - Global Ocean Procurement

ABOUT QUINCE Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast. What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver. OUR CULTURE Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before. - We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place. - Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths. - Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory. If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you. THE ROLE We are seeking a Director of Global Ocean Freight Procurement to join our growing Logistics team. This role will own the procurement strategy, carrier management, and network optimization efforts for Quince's global inbound Ocean freight operations. As Quince continues to scale, this leader will play a critical role in reducing transportation costs, securing strategic Ocean capacity, improving procurement efficiency, and driving strategic modal shifts across our global supply chain while maintaining inventory availability and customer service levels. In this role, you will develop and execute sourcing strategies across key international trade lanes, secure capacity through ocean carriers and NVOCCs, negotiate directly with Freighters and freight providers, and build long-term capacity solutions that support Quince's growth. You will partner closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Finance, and Operations teams to deliver measurable cost savings, strengthen carrier relationships, and optimize our global inbound transportation network. You will own direct relationships with Key Categories like Furniture, Luggage, Bedding, Kitchen etc to ensure sufficient capacity and SLAs to meet the business needs. RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy & Capacity Planning - Develop long-term lane strategies aligned with validated demand forecasts - Secure ocean capacity across FCL/LCL space, vessel allocations, and container equipment for business scale - Balance soft and hard space protections to guarantee space while mitigating financial commitments - Spearhead modal shift programs from air to ocean alongside Air Freight Procurement and First-Mile leads - Formulate ocean strategies for bulky/oversized goods including Furniture, defining loading and consolidation methods - Partner with Furniture, Bedding, Luggage, and other sourcing leaders to establish validated volume commitments before contract award. - Track volume realization against agreed allocations to recalibrate commitments and avoid shortfall charges Procurement & Contracts - Direct ocean RFPs, annual carrier contract negotiations, and dynamic spot market sourcing strategies - Negotiate terms around demurrage, detention free-time, accessorial charges, service commitments, and liability limits - Benchmark freight costs against market indices; achieve 10% YOY cost reduction across inbound ocean operations - Manage ocean carrier and NVOCC scorecards evaluating transit times, vessel reliability, rollover rates, and damage frequency Execution & Monitoring - Oversee daily ocean freight execution from origin handover through destination arrival, driving swift resolution of operational delays - Monitor performance against the <50-day P90 ocean transfer SLA and the <30-day P90 fast-boat SLA, and take corrective action on underperforming lanes.” - Align forwarders and cross-functional partners on booking management, shipping documentation, and port cutoffs Risk & Compliance - Drive ocean compliance alongside Trade and Compliance teams, overseeing US import regulations, carrier screening, and origin export requirements across China, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Cambodia - Establish rigorous operational controls for filing timelines and document validation across all ocean movements - Formulate proactive contingency strategies for tariff shifts, port congestion, and capacity disruptions Partner & Stakeholder Management - Maintain collaborative relationships with Sourcing, Planning, Finance, Compliance, and regional First Mile leadership across South Asia and SEA - Brief executive leaders on lane performance, network capacity risks, savings metrics, and volume exposure Team Leadership - Lead team of 2–3 direct reports managing ocean procurement operations across Asian trade lanes - Develop team capabilities through active coaching, clear category/lane ownership, and talent succession planning QUALIFICATIONS Required - 10+ years in ocean freight procurement, carrier or NVOCC commercial roles, or freight forwarding operations leadership - Deep experience with ocean contracting, including FCL, LCL, service contracts, spot versus contract pricing, and space block management - Experience managing volume commitments and avoiding penalties on committed capacity - Experience with Asia-to-US trade lanes, including carrier, port, and forwarder dynamics in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, or India - Working knowledge of US import filing requirements, NVOCC screening, sanctions screening, HS classification, and country-specific export and import rules - Track record of measurable savings and managing large ocean budgets - Strong analytical skills, including rate benchmarking, capacity modeling, and cost per kg or CBM analysis - Experience managing rapid volume growth and capacity risk - Strong cross-functional and executive communication - Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field Preferred - Experience managing customs, tariff, or export control compliance at an operational level - Experience with multi-country logistics networks - Background in direct-to-consumer (DTC), e-commerce, or retail logistics operations - Exposure to hazmat, furniture, bulky goods, or oversized item transportation - Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) or freight management platforms - MBA or advanced degree in Supply Chain, Operations, or Logistics - Track record building automation solutions or process improvements using AI/data analytics - Fluent spoken Mandarin WHY QUINCE? Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.