JOB DESCRIPTION

MANAGER MERCHANDISING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (Woven)

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced and result-oriented Manager Merchandising & Product Development to manage end-to-end merchandising operations and product development activities across woven apparel categories.

The role involves managing international buyer requirements, driving product development, coordinating with cross-functional teams, ensuring accurate costing, and overseeing order execution from initial enquiry to final shipment.

The ideal candidate should possess strong technical knowledge, commercial understanding, buyer management experience, and the ability to drive product development and merchandising excellence.

Role Purpose

To manage the complete merchandising and product development lifecycle, ensuring products meet buyer expectations, quality standards, cost targets, and delivery timelines.

The role requires close coordination with buyers, design, sampling, technical, sourcing, production, and quality teams to ensure seamless execution of product development and bulk orders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development & Innovation

- Manage end-to-end product development activities for woven apparel categories.
- Coordinate with design, sampling, and technical teams to develop new styles and collections.
- Identify suitable fabrics, trims, washes, finishes, and construction techniques.
- Understand buyer requirements and translate them into technical specifications and development plans.
- Monitor sample development, fit approvals, and buyer comments.
- Ensure timely submission and approval of samples.

2. Merchandising & Order Management

- Manage the complete order lifecycle from enquiry to final shipment.
- Handle buyer communication and maintain strong professional relationships.
- Coordinate order execution with internal departments.
- Monitor production progress and ensure adherence to T&A; calendars.
- Follow up on samples, approvals, material availability, and production status.
- Ensure timely delivery while maintaining buyer quality expectations.

3.



Costing & Commercial Management

- Prepare and review garment costing and pricing.
- Analyse fabric, trims, processing, and manufacturing costs.
- Ensure cost accuracy and maintain target profit margins.
- Coordinate with sourcing and production teams for cost optimisation.
- Support price negotiations with buyers and internal management.

4. Buyer Coordination & Communication

- Handle international buyer requirements, particularly UK and European markets.
- Participate in buyer meetings, discussions, and product development reviews.
- Understand buyer expectations and provide timely updates.
- Resolve development and execution-related queries.
- Maintain effective communication throughout the order lifecycle.

5. Team Management & Coordination

- Guide and supervise the merchandising and product development team.
- Allocate responsibilities and monitor individual performance.
- Coordinate with sourcing, sampling, production, quality, and technical teams.
- Identify operational challenges and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure effective teamwork and timely completion of activities.

6. Quality & Operational Excellence

- Ensure products meet buyer specifications and quality standards.
- Monitor product development and production milestones.
- Identify potential risks in sourcing, sampling, and order execution.
- Ensure compliance with buyer requirements and delivery commitments.
- Drive continuous improvement in merchandising and product development processes.

Required Skills & Qualifications

- 1015 years of experience in apparel merchandising and product development.
- Strong experience in woven apparel categories is mandatory.
- Proven experience handling international buyers,



particularly UK and European brands.
- Strong understanding of garment manufacturing and product development processes.
- Expertise in fabric, trims, garment construction, sampling, and costing.
- Good knowledge of order execution and production follow-up.
- Strong buyer communication, negotiation, and coordination skills.
- Experience managing merchandising teams and cross-functional activities.
- Ability to manage multiple orders and meet strict deadlines.

Ideal Candidate Profile

- Experience working with export houses or large-scale apparel manufacturing companies.
- Strong exposure to international fashion brands.
- Excellent understanding of woven garment development and manufacturing.
- Ability to manage product development from concept to bulk production.
- Strong commercial understanding of costing, pricing, and margins.
- Proactive approach to problem-solving and operational challenges.
- Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
- Ability to work effectively with buyers and internal stakeholders.

Communication & Presentation Skills

- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong buyer communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to participate in international buyer meetings.
- Good presentation and reporting skills.
- Proficiency in professional email communication and digital reporting tools.

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Technology, Apparel Production, Textiles, or a related discipline.
- Postgraduate qualification in Management or Merchandising is an added advantage.

What Evolv Offers

- Opportunity to work with an established apparel manufacturing organisation with over 50 years of industry experience.
- Exposure to international buyers and global apparel markets.
- Opportunity to contribute to product innovation and business growth.
- Collaborative working setting with experienced industry professionals.

Interested candidates can share their updated resumes at: [email protected]

Subject: MANAGER Merchandising & Product development (Woven)

📌 Manager Merchandising (Chennai)
🏢 Evolv Clothing
📍 Chennai