Senior Merchandiser

Job Description

Title: Senior Merchandiser

Company Name: Z&T Sourcing

Vacancy: 1

Age: Na

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): IT Enabled Service, Buying House

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): IT Enabled Service, Buying House

• In sum, the merchandiser’s role is highly dynamic, requiring coordination across various stakeholders, a deep understanding of production, and sharp negotiation and communication skills.

Buyer Communication & Order Management:

• Act as the main point of contact between the buyer (international brands or retailers) and the factory or supplier.

• Understand buyer’s requirements and communicate them to suppliers effectively.

• Coordinate with buyers for order details, approvals, samples, and bulk production.

• Ensure all information regarding the products, including fabrics, trims, style, size, and delivery deadlines, are clearly documented.

Sampling & Product Development:

• Work with designers and factories to develop product samples.

• Ensure that the samples meet the buyer’s specifications in terms of fabric quality, size, and design.

• Oversee the creation of prototypes, size sets, and pre-production samples (PP samples) to gain buyer approval before bulk production.

Costing & Price Negotiation:

• Calculate and negotiate costs with buyers based on fabric, trims, production capacity, and timelines.

• Work on price quotes and manage margins to balance buyer expectations with profitability for the factory.

• Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to procure raw materials at the best prices without compromising quality.

Order Placement & Production Planning:

• Place orders with the appropriate factories and coordinate production schedules to meet deadlines.

• Collaborate with planning, production, and logistics teams to ensure timely execution.

• Follow up with suppliers and production units to ensure that work is being done according to the buyer’s timeline.

Quality Control & Compliance:

• Monitor production quality via Quality Controller at various stages to ensure it meets the buyer’s standards.

• Ensure factories comply with international labor standards and quality certifications.

• Conduct inspections or coordinate third-party quality checks (AQL) at different production milestones.

Supply Chain & Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with fabric and trim suppliers, printing and embroidery units, and washing units.

• Handle the procurement of raw materials and ensure timely delivery of these materials to factories.

• Troubleshoot any issues in the supply chain, such as delays or quality problems.

Shipping & Logistics Coordination:

• Work with logistics to ensure that finished garments are packed, labeled, and shipped according to buyer specifications.

• Coordinate with freight forwarders and shipping agents to ensure timely delivery.

Trend Analysis & Market Research:

• Stay up-to-date with fashion trends, material innovations, and the global market.

• Present trend reports to buyers and suggest product development ideas based on market demand.

Context Specific to Bangladesh:

• Cost Competitiveness: Bangladesh is known for its cost-competitive garment production, and merchandisers must be skilled in price negotiation and cost control to remain competitive.

• Labor Laws & Compliance: Buyers, especially from Europe and the US, expect Bangladeshi suppliers to meet strict labor and environmental standards, and merchandisers must ensure factory compliance.

• High Volume, Fast Turnaround: Many Bangladeshi factories are equipped to handle large orders, so merchandisers must manage high-volume production while meeting strict timelines.

• Communication & Cultural Nuances: As Bangladesh caters to global clients, merchandisers need to be adept in understanding cultural preferences and communication styles of buyers from different countries.

• Logistics Challenges: Managing logistics efficiently is crucial, especially given the challenges in port congestion and customs clearances in Bangladesh.