Product Development and Operations Specialist

Production Merchandising Role Overview">

The Production Merchandiser plays a pivotal part in ensuring seamless coordination of garment production, quality control, and delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Select suitable fabrics, trims, and accessories for garment production by analyzing market trends, quality standards, and design specifications.
• Collaborate with the Production Manager to develop samples, including fabric selection, construction, fit, and quality, while considering production capacity and lead times.
• Review and approve samples to ensure they meet design specifications and quality standards, thereby maintaining product excellence.

Planning and Scheduling:

• Create yearly and monthly production plans, taking into account order requirements, capacity, and lead times, to optimize production efficiency.
• Plan and allocate resources, including materials and labor, to meet production needs while minimizing waste and excess inventory.
• Monitor production progress, address issues or delays, and ensure timely delivery to maintain customer satisfaction.

Vendor Management:

• Identify and select reliable suppliers and manufacturers based on their reputation, quality, and ability to meet production deadlines.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with vendors to secure favorable agreements that align with business objectives.
• Ensure consistent quality and timely delivery of fabric and trims from vendors to maintain production continuity.

Costing and Budgeting:

• Estimate costs for products, including materials, labor, and overhead, to determine production profitability.
• Manage budgets and track expenses to maintain production costs within budget, identifying areas for cost reduction and optimization.
• Collaborate with the finance department and suppliers to negotiate pricing, terms, and discounts, thereby reducing costs and improving profit margins.

Quality Control:

• Establish quality standards and guidelines for production to ensure consistency and excellence in product quality.
• Conduct inspections and quality checks at various stages of production to detect defects and address them promptly.
• Work with the production team to implement corrective actions, improving processes and reducing errors.

Inventory Management:

• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods to avoid stockouts and overstocking.
• Ensure timely replenishment of materials to prevent production delays and minimize excess inventory.
• Manage stock levels to minimize costs associated with storage, handling, and disposal.

Production Coordination:

• Coordinate with production departments, including production and logistics, to ensure smooth communication and workflow between teams.
• Facilitate collaboration among teams to achieve operational excellence and improve production efficiency.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain detailed records of production activities, including orders, deliveries, and inspections, to support decision-making and process improvement.
• Prepare regular reports on production status, costs, and quality to inform stakeholders and drive business growth.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in textile engineering, fashion merchandising, or a related field.
• More than 5 years of experience in merchandising or a related field, preferably in a production environment.
• Knowledge of textile and garment manufacturing processes, including quality control and assurance.
• Familiarity with production management software and tools, such as ERP systems and inventory management systems.
• Pricing and profitability analysis skills to optimize production costs and improve profit margins.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to identify and resolve production issues efficiently.
• Analytical skills to analyze production data and make informed decisions to drive business growth.
• Negotiation skills to manage vendor relationships and contracts, securing favorable agreements that align with business objectives.

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