Who is Merchandiser?
Merchandiser is a person who interacts with the buyer and seller, I mean he plays dual role and also puts efforts into proper relation between buying houses/ buying agents/ agency and seller/ exporter in terms of executing an order.
A good merchandiser has the attributes of hard work, sincerity, loyalty, team work, manager, negotiation etc. Customer satisfaction and retention is mainly depends on a good merchandiser.
Garment Merchandiser:
A garment merchandiser, often referred to as a “fashion merchandiser” or simply a “merchandiser,” is a professional in the fashion and apparel industry responsible for managing and coordinating the production and marketing of garments. Their role involves various aspects related to the planning, sourcing, production, and selling of clothing and fashion products.
- Figure: Garment merchandiser’s desk
Following definitions will clear about merchandiser:
- Merchandise- means goods bought and sold; and trading of goods.
- Merchandising- is an activity of selling and promoting the goods.
- Merchandiser- is a person who do all activity of merchandising.
In the above discussion we can learn about a merchandiser. This is a common discussion of a merchandiser. Because every business has done by a merchandiser. But our topic is apparel or garment merchandiser. Garment merchandiser is also like other merchandiser but here they do garments business. Normally their offices are called buying house.
Now we will know about merchandiser working process with a chart:
Working Flow Chart of a Garment Merchandiser
Sourcing of buyer (Basically it is a primary and principle work)
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Order received from the Buyer with details
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Discuss with planning department of factory for knowing availability of production.
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Discuss with prod responsible person like as Director/GM for capability of handling such order and probable productivity per hr.
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Analyze product package and space sheet for costing.
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Calculate the consumption of fabric.
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Analyze the fabric content, knitting pattern, GSM and do fabric costing.
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List out all Accessories, do the consumption and costing.
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Analyze printing, embroidery, value addition work washing for costing.
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Analyze productivity per hr. with machine and manpower requirement.
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Assess cost of making per dozen.
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Confirm price from component authority
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Sample development
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Quote price to buyer
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Price negotiation with the Buyer
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Confirmation of order and receive the order sheet
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Prepare time and action calendar (with available production lead time)
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Prepare Gantt chart (In support of T & A and incorporate all important issues and events with completion date)
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Receive size color breakdown and color standard.
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Prepare lab dip, strike off, yarn dip etc and arrange approval of the same.
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Receive art work and sample for printing, embroidery, value addition work, washing and get approval for the same.
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Develop all samples and submit the same to buyer for necessary approval.
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Obtain and ensure all approval as per T & A (time & action) and Gant chart to facilities production as per plan.
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Receive master L/C (letter of credit)
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Prepare final cost approval sheet to facilitate opening of all Back to Back L/C.
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Open BB L/C for yarn, accessories, printing, embroidery etc
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Arrange all fabric and garments accessories and ensure in house of the same as per T&A.
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Source for printing, embroidery, value add work, washing and complete deed of agreement with them.
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Ensure inventory of all items on arrival to store to confirm the qty, color, sizes and quality as per requirement
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Arrange all pre-production meeting and inspection on time.
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Arrange all lab test on time.
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Ensure dispatch and approval of all samples which may affect the final inspection and shipment
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Collect daily production and quality report
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Arrange final inspection on schedule date.
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Do load calculation and ensure booking of all load carrying transport well in advance.
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Ensure space booking with sea and air freight forwarder.
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Help commercial department to submit all documents to bank on time.
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Ensure realization of full payment from bank as per shipped quantity and price.
Note: If occur mistake any process then obviously comment here. I’m trying to give accurate information.
You may also read:
- How to Become a Successful Apparel Merchandiser
- List of Documents to be Maintained by Garment Merchandiser
- Fashion Merchandiser Job Duties and Responsibilities
Editor of Fashion2Apparel. She is a fashion designer and ex-lecturer in Fashion Designing. She wants to spread fashion knowledge throughout the world.
