Merchandising Manager - Apparel
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic Merchandising Manager - Apparel to lead end‑to‑end production operations across sourcing, product development, production planning, and bulk manufacturing for our lifestyle fashion apparel and accessories categories. This role is pivotal in bringing our brand vision to life, ensuring products are delivered on time, at the right quality, and within cost targets.
Job Responsibilities
Sourcing & Vendor Management
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers across Asia for apparel, accessories, and lifestyle categories.
- Build strong, strategic vendor relationships to optimize cost, quality, and lead time.
- Negotiate pricing, MOQs, capacity needs, and long‑term sourcing strategies.
Product Development
- Drive the development process from concept handover through final samples.
- Ensure all proto, SMS, and pre‑production samples meet design intent, technical specifications, and quality standards.
- Collaborate closely with designers, technical teams, and factories to solve construction or feasibility challenges.
Production Planning & Execution
- Develop seasonal production capacity plans based on forecast and order flow.
- Create and manage critical paths, ensuring all milestones are met for on‑time delivery.
- Monitor factory WIP and troubleshoot potential delays or bottlenecks across multiple product categories.
Bulk Production
- Oversee bulk production from material sourcing to packing and shipment.
- Partner with QA teams to ensure products comply with quality, safety, and compliance standards.
- Drive continuous improvement on quality KPIs and operational efficiencies.
Costing & Budget Management
- Lead product costing reviews across proto, SMS, and bulk stages.
- Propose cost‑saving opportunities without compromising quality or design.
- Support commercial teams with price negotiations and margin targets.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Textiles, Supply Chain, or related field.
- 5-10 years of production management experience in lifestyle fashion apparel and accessories within Asia.
- Strong knowledge of sourcing markets such as China, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, or Bangladesh.
- Proven track record in managing product development, production planning, and bulk execution.
- Deep understanding of materials, construction, and manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and vendor‑management skills.
- Highly organized, solutions‑oriented, and able to manage multiple product categories simultaneously.
- Proficient in PLM systems, Excel, and production tracking tools.
- Fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.
