JOB DESCRIPTION

Head – Merchandising & Planning

Company: Tiny Girl Clothing Company

Industry: Kidswear / Fashion Apparel Manufacturing & Retail

Department: Merchandising & Planning

Designation: Head – Merchandising & Planning

Experience: 20–25+ years in the apparel industry

Reporting To: Directors / Senior Management

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and capabilities

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head – Merchandising & Planning who can independently lead the merchandising and planning functions, manage teams, streamline operations, and contribute to the company's profitability and long-term growth.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Merchandising & Business Planning

Develop and implement comprehensive merchandising strategies aligned with business objectives.

Lead seasonal collection planning for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.

Plan product categories, assortment, styles, quantities, and price architecture based on market demand.

Analyze historical sales, market trends, and customer demand to support commercial decisions.

Collaborate closely with the design, sales, production, and management teams.

2. Production Planning & Order Execution

Supervise the complete merchandising cycle from product development to final dispatch.

Establish monthly, weekly, and seasonal production plans.

Ensure timely execution of orders, adherence to delivery schedules, and optimum utilization of factory capacity.

Coordinate fabric, trims, accessories, sampling, and production requirements.

Monitor work-in-progress and proactively resolve production bottlenecks.

Ensure smooth coordination between merchandising, sourcing, production, quality control, and dispatch departments.

3. Inventory Management & Stock Optimization

Develop demand-based inventory and replenishment plans.

Monitor stock levels, size-wise availability, bestsellers, slow-moving inventory, and aging stock.

Maintain the optimum balance between stock availability and working capital.

Coordinate stock allocations for retail stores, large-format retail partners, distributors, and e-commerce platforms.

Implement measures to minimize dead stock, excess inventory, and stock shortages.

4. Costing,



Pricing & Profitability

Review garment costing, fabric consumption, production expenses, and product margins.

Work toward improving gross margins through effective planning and cost optimization.

Monitor vendor pricing, material consumption, and production efficiency.

Recommend strategies for inventory liquidation and improved stock turnover.

Ensure commercially viable merchandising and production decisions.

5. Team Leadership & Department Management

Independently lead the merchandising and planning departments.

Manage, mentor, train, and develop merchandising and planning personnel.

Define individual responsibilities, performance expectations, and departmental KPIs.

Establish structured review systems and accountability within teams.

Resolve operational challenges and ensure effective interdepartmental communication.

Build a disciplined, efficient, and performance-oriented working workplace.

6. Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning

Collaborate with the sales team to prepare forecasts across distribution channels.

Review historical sales performance, seasonal demand, and product movement.

Identify high-performing categories, styles, shades, and sizes.

Ensure appropriate replenishment and production planning for bestselling products.

Support better sell-through, inventory turnover, and order fulfillment.

7. Vendor Development & Supply Chain Coordination

Supervise sourcing and vendor coordination for fabrics, trims, and accessories.

Develop and maintain reliable vendor relationships.

Negotiate favorable commercial terms without compromising quality.

Ensure timely material procurement to support production commitments.

Identify opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency.

8. MIS Reporting & Management Reviews

Prepare and review periodic merchandising, inventory, and production MIS reports.





Track production schedules, delivery commitments, pending orders, and stock availability.

Present department performance, operational challenges, and corrective actions to management.

Introduce effective SOPs, reporting systems, and process improvements.

Provide strategic recommendations based on measurable business performance.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Graduate or postgraduate degree in Fashion Technology, Textile Technology, Apparel Merchandising, Business Management, or a related discipline.

Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in apparel merchandising, planning, production, or sourcing.

At least 7–10 years of experience in senior management or departmental leadership roles preferred.

Strong background in garment manufacturing, particularly kidswear, westernwear, or fashion apparel.

Proven capability in managing large teams and coordinating multiple departments.

Sound knowledge of production planning, garment costing, inventory management, and sales forecasting.

Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, MIS reporting, and ERP-based apparel management systems.

Strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and decision-making abilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The candidate's performance will be evaluated on:

On-time production completion and dispatch performance.

Forecast accuracy and stock availability.

Inventory turnover and reduction in aging/dead stock.

Improvement in product margins and cost efficiency.

Optimal utilization of factory production capacity.

Bestseller replenishment and order fulfillment.

Team productivity and departmental coordination.

Achievement of seasonal merchandising and business planning targets.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for a mature, experienced, and highly responsible professional with strong leadership capabilities, who can take complete ownership of the merchandising and planning function.

The ideal candidate should be hands-on, commercially sound, confident in decision-making, and capable of independently managing a team while maintaining strong coordination with directors and senior management.

Work Location: In person

📌 Head - Merchandising and Planning (Prabhadevi)
🏢 Tiny Girl Clothing
📍 Prabhadevi