What is a Garment Merchandiser?
A garment merchandiser is a professional who works in the garment industry, specifically in the area of garment production and sales. Garment merchandiser is like a bridge between the buyer and industry. They are responsible for coordinating the various stages of the production process, from designing and sourcing materials to manufacturing and distribution.
The main role of a garment merchandiser is to act as a liaison between the design and production teams. They work closely with designers to understand the product requirements and translate them into detailed production specifications. They also work with manufacturers to ensure that the production process is on schedule, and that the finished product meets quality standards.
In addition, garment merchandisers are also responsible for managing the financial aspects of the production process. They work with suppliers to negotiate pricing and manage budgets, and they must also be able to identify cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing quality.
Another important aspect of the job is forecasting and planning. Garment merchandisers must stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends and consumer preferences, and they must be able to anticipate market demand for new products. They use this information to develop production schedules and manage inventory levels to ensure that products are delivered on time and in the right quantities.
Working Flow Chart of a Garment Merchandiser:
Working flow chart of a garment merchandiser is given below.
Make contact with buyer
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Obtain order
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Do costing for that particular style
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Negotiation with buyer
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Order fabric and trims
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Receiving bulk fabrics and trims
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Send samples to production
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Supervising the order till shipment
Working flow chart of a garment merchandiser is explained briefly below:
1. Examining the buyer requirement, understanding and communicating them to the specific departments and exhibiting the product to the buyers they need.
2. Confirming the quality during production as well as ensuring timely delivery of an order.
3. Developing a time and action (TNA) calendar for completing the schedules of various activities like cutting, sewing, finishing, dispatch etc. The WIP (work in progress) and the status of the order have to be monitored by the merchandisers regularly.
4. Coordinating and tracking the sourcing activities and confirming that all the raw materials and accessories are delivered on time.
5. Follow-up of postshipment activities to keep a long-term relationship with the buyer.
6. Accompanying the buyers on visits to manufacturers to understand production processes.
7. Meeting with suppliers for negotiating the cost and handling of stocks.
8. Ascertaining the difficulties related to production and supply of an order and dealing with it when they occur.
9. A pre-production meeting (PPM) is held among staff in the garment industry to discuss the style, trims, construction etc. if there are further clarifications, an external PPM is held with the QC, merchandiser, and buyer.
Conclusion:
A garment merchandiser plays a crucial role in the garment industry, helping to ensure that clothing products are efficiently and effectively produced and delivered to market.
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