Merchandising Manager / Assistant Merchandising Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This Senior Merchandiser role is responsible for leading sourcing activities for Playwear Girls & Boys Knitted apparel & Sweater. This role will report into Merchandising Manager and will be supervising a team of merchandising associates.

Product development

• Manage related products during development stage, starting with Market, Fit, AD & Pre-production samples.
• Collaborate with vendors, cross functional teams, and counterparts in the HK & US offices.

Pre-production and support vendor management

• Sample management – follow up with raw material team and vendors to meet sample due dates.
• Pre-production approval - follow up with vendors on lab dips/graphic submission.
• Address development/production issues, ensure on time delivery.
• Understand company requirements – product safety, testing requirements, Oekotex certification, etc.
• Identify potential development safety and quality concerns. Understand and execute final product design changes on AD and bulk.
• Grow and develop a team capable of prioritizing competing demands to accelerate submit and sample delivery (art punches, strike offs, fits, PP samples, etc.…) to maintain or expedite production schedules; ability to approve submits.
• Understand the logic and lead times of the Buy & Production and Time & Action (T&A) calendars and contribute to their creation. Ensure approval deadlines and fabric/garment buy dates are met; balance business needs and design preferences to satisfy customer demand.
• Data maintenance – Make use of different systems such as PLM, Intellimas & Tableau to manage daily activities and run reports to support & quantify turnover rates.

Cross functional initiatives

• Communicate with both internal teams (Tech Design, Raw Materials Team, Quality, Product development commercialization, etc.) and suppliers to proactively lead the daily execution of Ready to Wear merchandising and manufacturing activities.
• Train and coach Merchandisers to upgrade product knowledge and overall effectiveness.

REQUIREMENTS:

• University degree, preferably with a major focus in Apparel/Textile Engineering or related discipline such as Fashion Merchandising

• Minimum 5years work experience in apparel product development and merchandising, preferably in baby/kids wear.

• Prior experience working in a large buying / sourcing office with relevant experience in a production role is an advantage.