Merchandising Manager

Designation: Merchandising Manager (Elastic Product)

Please apply here: [email removed]

Key Responsibilities

1. Customer & Order Management

• Manage assigned domestic and export customer accounts and act as the primary point of contact for merchandising activities.
• Handle new enquiries, order execution, costing, customer requirements, and complaints.
• Ensure customer requirements are clearly communicated and executed within agreed timelines.

2. Product Development & Sampling

• Lead new product development in coordination with Design, R&D, Lab, and Production teams.
• Analyse customer samples, specifications, artwork, and quality requirements for development.
• Manage the complete sample development cycle from enquiry to customer approval.
• Ensure timely submission and follow-up of samples and lab dips.

3. Costing & Commercial Coordination

• Coordinate with relevant teams for product costing based on material, construction, processing, and other requirements.
• Review sample development costs and identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality.
• Support commercial discussions and negotiations with customers as required.

4. Order Execution & Production Coordination

• Coordinate with PPC, Production, QA, Purchase, and Logistics teams to ensure smooth order execution.
• Review all critical parameters including colour, quality, specifications, and customer requirements before bulk production.
• Monitor order progress and proactively resolve issues related to materials, production, quality, or delivery.

5. Customer Communication & Service

• Maintain regular communication with customers regarding enquiries, development status, approvals, orders, and deliveries.
• Track customer feedback and ensure timely resolution of concerns and complaints.
• Build strong and long-term customer relationships through responsive and proactive service.

6. Documentation & Systems

• Ensure accurate maintenance of product specifications, costing, artwork, technical details, sample records, approvals, and order documentation.
• Ensure timely updating of relevant information in the MPLS system, particularly HBI, orders, and lab dips.
• Maintain effective tracking of samples, approvals, orders, and customer feedback.

7. Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Guide and support the merchandising team to ensure effective execution of customer requirements and orders.
• Establish clear priorities, timelines, and follow-up mechanisms for ongoing developments and orders.
• Identify opportunities to improve sample lead time, order execution, customer service, and overall merchandising effectiveness.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong customer handling, communication, and negotiation skills
• Excellent coordination, follow-up, and order management capabilities
• Strong understanding of elastic tapes, narrow fabrics, textile materials, and manufacturing processes
• Good knowledge of product development, sampling, costing, and bulk production
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to manage multiple customers, orders, and priorities
• Proficiency in MS Office, Excel, and ERP/MPLS systems

Education Qualification:

• Qualifications & Experience
• Graduate / Postgraduate in Textile Engineering, Fashion Technology, Textile Technology, Business Management, or a related field.
• 812 years of relevant experience in merchandising, preferably in elastic tapes, narrow fabrics, textile, or garment accessories manufacturing.
• Strong experience in handling domestic and export customers, product development, sampling, costing, and order execution.
• Proven ability to manage customer relationships and coordinate with cross-functional manufacturing teams.

About Sonatapes Private Limited

Sonatapes Private Limited is a pioneer in the Narrow Elastic business in India, with more than 60 years of experience in manufacturing quality elastic narrow fabrics. The company serves leading global brands in the men's and women's innerwear segment.