Apparel Merchandiser

1. JOB PURPOSE

The Apparel Merchandiser is responsible for managing the complete product development and order execution process from receiving the buyer/brand requirement through sampling, costing, production follow-up, quality coordination, and final shipment.

The role acts as the key coordination point between the buyer/brand, design team, sourcing team, fabric/trims suppliers, production, quality, warehouse and factory.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Product Development

• Study buyer tech packs, specifications, sketches and product requirements.
• Understand style details, construction, measurements, fabric and trims.
• Coordinate development of samples with factories.
• Prepare and maintain style-wise development files.
• Follow up on proto, fit, size set, PP and shipment samples.
• Track sample comments and ensure corrections are incorporated.
• Coordinate with pattern, CAD and technical teams.
• Ensure approved specifications are communicated to the factory.

B. Costing & Commercial

• Prepare garment costing based on:
• Fabric consumption
• Fabric price
• Trims and accessories
• Washing/processing
• Embroidery/printing
• CMT
• Packing
• Freight and other applicable costs
• Obtain quotations from suppliers and factories.
• Negotiate prices where required.
• Maintain style-wise costing sheets.
• Ensure approved cost is followed during production.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality.

C. Fabric & Trim Follow-Up

• Develop and source fabrics according to approved specifications.
• Follow up fabric booking, lab dips, strike-offs and approvals.
• Coordinate fabric testing where required.
• Track fabric production and delivery.
• Develop and approve trims and accessories.
• Follow up:
• Buttons
• Zippers
• Labels
• Threads
• Elastics
• Packaging materials
• Hangtags
• Polybags
• Cartons

D. Order Management

• Receive and review purchase orders/order sheets.
• Check:
• Style number
• Quantity
• Size ratio
• Colour
• Delivery date
• Price
• Packing requirements
• Special instructions
• Prepare order execution timelines.
• Maintain Order TNA (Time & Action) calendar.
• Monitor every critical milestone.
• Escalate delays immediately.

E. Production Follow-Up

• Coordinate with factories for production planning.
• Monitor fabric and trims availability before cutting.
• Follow up:
• Cutting
• Printing/embroidery
• Sewing
• Washing
• Finishing
• Packing

• Monitor production progress against planned quantities.
• Conduct regular factory visits where required.
• Identify production risks and communicate corrective actions.
• Ensure production follows approved sample and tech pack.

F. Quality Coordination

• Coordinate with the QA/QC team.
• Ensure approved sample is available at factory.
• Check that production follows approved:
• Measurements
• Construction
• Fabric
• Colour
• Trims
• Finishing
• Follow up inline and final inspection reports.
• Coordinate correction of quality issues.
• Monitor AQL inspection status before shipment.
• Ensure all buyer quality requirements are followed.

G. Shipment Follow-Up

• Monitor production completion against shipment date.
• Coordinate final inspection.
• Ensure packing and carton requirements are correct.
• Coordinate with logistics/shipping team.
• Follow up shipment documents.
• Ensure shipment is dispatched within the committed timeline.

Maintain shipment status reports.

3. DAILY MERCHANDISING ACTIVITIES

The merchandiser should regularly monitor:

Activity Frequency

Buyer communication Daily

Factory follow-up Daily

TNA update Daily

Sample status Daily

Fabric status Daily

Trim status Daily

Production status Daily

Quality issues Daily/As required

Shipment status Daily

Costing As required

Management MIS Weekly/Monthly

4. KEY DOCUMENTS TO MAINTAIN

The merchandiser should maintain updated records of:

• Tech Pack
• BOM
• Costing Sheet
• Purchase Order
• Order Sheet
• TNA Calendar
• Sample Tracking Sheet
• Fabric Booking Sheet
• Trim Approval Sheet
• Lab Dip Approval
• Strike-Off Approval
• PP Sample Approval
• Size Set Approval
• Production Status Report
• Quality Reports
• Inspection Reports
• Packing Instructions
• Shipment Plan
• Shipment Documents
• Buyer Comments
• Factory Communication
• Style Master File

5. REQUIRED SKILLS

Technical Skills

• Garment construction knowledge
• Apparel manufacturing knowledge
• Fabric knowledge
• Trims and accessories knowledge
• Measurement and grading understanding
• Garment costing
• TNA management
• Production planning knowledge
• Quality control knowledge
• AQL understanding
• Excel / Google Sheets
• ERP/MIS knowledge preferred

Soft Skills

• Strong communication
• Follow-up skills
• Negotiation skills
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Multitasking
• Team coordination
• Ability to work under deadlines

6. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - KPI

The Apparel Merchandiser can be evaluated on:

KPI Measurement

On-time sample submission---% samples submitted on time

Sample approval efficiency---Number of approval rounds

On-time production--- % orders completed on schedule

Shipment performance-- % shipments dispatched on time

Cost adherence-- Actual vs approved costing

Fabric availability--% material available before cutting

Trim availability--% trims available before production

Quality performance--Rejection/defect percentage

Buyer response time--Average response time

TNA compliance--% milestones achieved on time

Order accuracy--Number of execution errors

Production issue resolution--Response & closure time

7. QUALIFICATION

Preferred Qualification:

• Graduate in Fashion / Apparel / Textile / Merchandising
• B.Des / B.F.Tech / NIFT / Textile Technology preferred
• Graduate with relevant apparel merchandising experience may also be considered.

8. EXPERIENCE

Junior Merchandiser: 02 years
Apparel Merchandiser: 25 years

Experience with men's western wear, woven shirts, trousers, jackets, denim or plus-size apparel is preferred depending on the product category.

9. REPORTING & COORDINATION

Internal Coordination

• Design
• Product Development
• Technical
• Sourcing
• Production
• QA/QC
• Warehouse
• Finance
• Logistics
• Management

External Coordination

• Garment Factories
• Fabric Mills
• Trim Suppliers
• Printing Units
• Embroidery Units
• Washing Units
• Inspection Agencies
• Logistics Partners