Merchandiser - Home Textiles

ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms provides world-class ecosystems across Africa, contributing to the continent's industrialization agenda and enhancing manufacturing competitiveness. We are driven by the pursuit of green growth; our ambition is to unlock the continent's industrial potential while neutralizing our carbons emissions and climate impact.

Job Objective and Overview

As a Merchandiser, you will be responsible for managing the end-to-end merchandising process for home textile products, including product development, sourcing, costing, production follow-up, quality coordination, and shipment execution. You will work closely with international buyers, suppliers, production teams, designers, and internal stakeholders to ensure products are developed and delivered according to agreed specifications, quality standards, costs, and timelines.

• Role: Merchandiser – Home Textiles
• Industry: Home Textiles / Textile Manufacturing
• Location: Benin
• Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end development of home textile products in line with buyer specifications, quality standards, cost targets, and market requirements.
• Coordinate with buyers, suppliers, production, quality, sourcing, and logistics teams.
• Prepare costing sheets, negotiate prices, and support cost optimization.
• Handle buyer communication, specifications, samples, approvals, and order requirements.
• Manage bulk orders from T&A through shipment, ensuring timely production and delivery.
• Follow up on material procurement, production schedules, quality inspections, packing, and shipments.
• Ensure products meet buyer specifications and quality standards, including fabric quality, GSM, dimensions, shrinkage, color, and finishing.
• Maintain strong relationships with international buyers and suppliers, particularly across US, EU, and UK markets.
• Manage and guide a team of 3–4 members for order follow-up.
• Monitor market trends and support new product development.
• Maintain merchandising records and prepare regular orders and production reports.

Skills/Requirements:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in Home Textiles / Textile Manufacturing, preferably in an export-oriented setup.
• Bachelor's degree in Textile Technology, Textile Engineering, Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Experience handling US/EU/UK buyers.
• Strong knowledge of home textile product development, costing, and merchandising.
• Good understanding of fabric technicalities, GSM, yarn counts, construction, dyeing, printing, finishing, washing, and shrinkage.
• Experience managing orders from T&A to shipment.
• Strong negotiation, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing a team of 3–4 members.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Effective project management skills to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• French language proficiency will be an added advantage.