Product Merchandiser

Company DescriptionAt Loomkaari Studio, every design begins as a hand-drawn piece of art, brought to life by skilled Indian artisans. Rooted in tradition, Loomkaari specializes in creating timeless fabrics, rugs, and textiles that reflect the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship. From the renowned looms of Bengal to the weaving communities of Rajasthan, every product represents centuries of cultural artistry. Our mission is to preserve and celebrate these time-honored traditions while crafting high-quality, unique designs for the modern world.Job Title: Senior Product Merchandiser – Home & Textile Exports(Merchandising + Buyer Development)Experience: 4–7 YearsIndustry: Home Furnishings / Textiles / ExportsMarkets: USA, UK & EuropeReporting To: Head of Exports / Business HeadTeam Handling: YesRole ObjectiveThe Senior Product Merchandiser will be responsible for driving buyer acquisition, managing enquiries, and growing export accounts, while overseeing the complete merchandising lifecycle—from product development and costing to production, quality, and shipment.This role combines commercial ownership, buyer development, and operational excellence.Key Responsibility Areas1. Enquiry Generation & Buyer Development (Growth Ownership)Proactively identify and generate new buyer enquiries from US, UK, and European marketsLeverage trade fairs, buyer references, B2B platforms, buying offices, and market intelligenceHandle inbound and outbound buyer enquiries independentlyPrepare and present company capabilities, product ranges, and development proposalsBuild a qualified buyer pipeline and maintain enquiry tracking reportsConvert enquiries into sampling programs and commercial ordersCoordinate with management on target buyers and market expansion strategy2. Buyer & Account ManagementOwn and manage assigned buyer accounts end-to-endAct as the single point of contact for buyers, agents, and buying officesLead commercial discussions including pricing, MOQs, development costs, and delivery termsMaintain strong buyer relationships to drive repeat business and long-term partnershipsRepresent the company in buyer meetings, presentations, and reviews3. Product Development & Sampling LeadershipLead product development based on buyer briefs and market trendsTranslate buyer requirements into technically and commercially viable productsCoordinate with design, sourcing, and sampling teams for timely executionDrive sample approvals and minimize re-sampling cyclesMaintain seasonal development calendars and tracking4. Costing, Margin & Commercial ControlPrepare and approve accurate cost sheets aligned with target marginsNegotiate pricing with vendors and buyersMonitor order-wise profitability and cost deviationsIdentify opportunities for cost optimization without impacting qualitySupport management in pricing strategies for new markets and buyers5. Production, Quality & Order ExecutionPlan and track production timelines across multiple vendorsEnsure raw material readiness and capacity planningOversee quality standards, inspections, and corrective actionsProactively address risks related to delays, quality failures, or buyer escalationsEnsure smooth order execution from PO to shipment6. Shipment, Documentation & ComplianceOversee shipment planning and logistics coordinationEnsure export documentation accuracy and compliance with buyer normsMonitor ETDs, ETAs, and delivery commitmentsEnsure adherence to international compliance standards (REACH, CPSIA, OEKO-TEX, etc.)7. Team Leadership & Process ExcellenceMentor and guide junior merchandisersAllocate workloads and monitor performanceImplement SOPs, trackers, and reporting systemsDrive continuous improvement in merchandising and buyer handling processesKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) & MetricsA. Enquiry & Lead Generation KPIsNumber of new buyer enquiries generated per quarterEnquiry-to-sampling conversion rateSampling-to-order conversion rateValue of orders generated from new buyersBuyer pipeline size and movementResponse time to new enquiriesB. Buyer & Revenue KPIsRepeat order rate from existing buyersAccount growth (%) year-on-yearBuyer satisfaction score / feedbackReduction in buyer escalationsC. Product Development KPIsSample approval rate (first-round)Sample turnaround time vs targetNew SKU commercialization success rateD. Commercial & Margin KPIsGross margin achievement vs targetCost variance percentageOrder profitability by accountE. Production & Delivery KPIsOTIF (On-Time In-Full) performanceProduction lead time adherenceReduction in delays and reworksF. Quality & Compliance KPIsQuality rejection rateFirst-pass inspection success rateCompliance audit pass rateG. Leadership & Process KPIsJunior merchandiser performance improvementProcess efficiencies implementedAccuracy of reporting and documentationIdeal Candidate ProfileStrong hunter + farmer mindset (new business + account growth)Commercially driven with excellent negotiation skillsComfortable interacting directly with international buyersAble to balance sales-oriented targets with operational disciplineProven ability to convert enquiries into long-term accounts