Merchandiser

Pricing

• Evaluate each incoming inquiry with regards to feasibility and identify possible bottlenecks, critical matters or other issues that might arise during development stages and/or an eventual bulk production.

• Clarify/explain those matters clearly to the Merchandising Manager.

• Make proper judgment on which factory partner(s) is (are) suitable for which inquiry, taking into account the above matters, and factors such as factory strong-points, available capacity, lead times and overall capabilities.

• Only after 1) 2) and 3) send inquiries to selected factories,

• Ensure that we always do a proper benchmark when inquiry calls for it.

• Evaluate incoming price(s) for correctness & completeness and clarify/rectify any possible mistake(s) before sending to Client.

• For specific Sols-items inquiries, compare and verify incoming prices according to the Sols stock price table, and notify factories of any possible discrepancies before confirmation.

• Ensure timely flow of prices by pushing suppliers to submit their prices within the shortest possible reasonable time frame.

• Prepare proper quotation sheets for the Brand Manager with a max. of information.

• Ensure to update to the reporting accordingly.

• Offer price to clients (related to your client list)

•  Any necessary commercial actions with the client

 In-House Sampling Programs

• Make all the planning for in-house sampling program as to ensure a timely execution of running programs.

• Arrange fabric sourcing for each of the in-house sampling programs, with below sequence order of preference:

  • JT Fabric Stock

  • Factory fabric stock or running production

  • Local market

• Supervise the sample room on daily basis in the actual execution.

• Ensure proper quality of end result.

• Ensure timely execution within set deadline.

• Discuss & coordinate all above matters with Assistant Country Manager (who bears overall responsibility for Sampling).

 External Sampling Programs

• Evaluate which program needs to go to which supplier depending on factors like the type of fabric, strength of supplier, time pressure and pricing.

• Send clean & workable files –including test parameters, so that suppliers can start execution asap.

• Actively follow-up & push factories/suppliers to prepare and submit fabrics. 

• Properly evaluate and test submitted fabrics from factories/suppliers and ensure the quality, color and performance parameters that are set are matching/met before giving approvals for cutting.

• Monitor the progress of the actual sample request, and physically inspect on-site as to min. possible discrepancies.

• Ensure proper quality of end result, along with the QC.

• Ensure timely execution within set deadline.

• Discuss & coordinate all above matters with Merchandiser Manager.

Order Follow-Up

• Make priority list ‘things to do’ based on updated WIP chart for the running orders. 

• Identify issues that need immediate attention and discuss them with the QC-Team & Merchandiser Manager to get attention focused on issue at hand.

• Contact the supplier in question to raise the concerns and/or find immediate solutions.

• If needed, visit the supplier in question to solve at once the issue at hand on-site.

• Follow-up on these issues until properly solved.

• Have to inform top management immediately so further action can be taken if needed.

• Follow orders carefully for each step in the process and maintain all key dates in the KPI file.

• Ensure timely development of trims & accessories to avoid delays during production stages.

•  Clearly inform dimensions, used techniques and other relevant info to Supplier on time.  

•  Work hand-in-hand with QC-team and sub-suppliers to ensure timely planning & execution of all prints/embroideries etc. with goal to avoid delays and bottlenecks.

• Look AHEAD and identify possible scenarios where delays CAN or WILL occur and notify the factory in advance so there is time for corrective action. Inform Head-office about delays only if they cannot be avoided, but do so at the earliest possible stage, so there is time to find solutions with the Client.

•  Together with QC-team & Production Director, plan ahead the FRI dates as early as possible in advance and inform Head-office & Shipping Officer accordingly. 

•  Ensure TP’s are properly maintained and updated (after PP sample approval), and use them in factory PP meeting to point out any possible matters of concern and attention during bulk production.

•  Properly update the WIP chart in good written English, to the point and without any room for misinterpretation.

• Dedicated contact of the client

• FRI approval

• Coordination with concerned departments and client until the delivery (including payment)

• Follow-up the Commercial documents until hand over the goods to client & also receive our Payments from clients.

• Follow up the product certificates like T.C, GOTS etc. with suppliers and make sure to receive by the clients on due time.

• Follow up the shipment and close monitoring to deliver the product at the right delivery address specially once the shipment under DDP.

• Negotiations

• For orders in our hand, negotiate with suppliers & sub-suppliers to get better terms, discounts, price reductions etc. whenever possible as to increase the company’s bottom line, whilst not compromising on the set quality standard.

• Negotiations shall be done fair spirit, keeping in mind company benefits & client satisfaction.

• Negotiation results must be recorded in the designated file, and this file must be updated on regular basis.

Factory visits

• Visit existing suppliers on regular basis as to stay abreast of our running order situation, maintain & strengthen relationships and possibly source new items, fabrics, techniques etc. that could be useful for our client base.

• Visit each new supplier as to understand their capabilities in terms of fabrics, items, techniques and productions, strong & weak points and assess their suitableness as supplier for JT.

• Two factory visit per month is mandatory, and this visit should serve a specific purpose, f.e. solving an issue at hand, monitoring a sample program, pushing for feedback etc. etc. Visiting for the sake of visiting is of no use and will not be accepted.

• Factory visits need to be pre-notified to merchandising manager who reserves the right to refuse the visit if deemed not necessary, or in conflict with urgent other works.