Merchandise Manager

Job Description: Merchandising Manager (Fashion / Apparel / D2C) Location: Bengaluru (On-Site) Experience: 6–10 years Industry: Fashion / Apparel / Lifestyle / D2C Employment Type: Full-timeRole Objective The Merchandising Manager will be responsible for end-to-end merchandising execution , ensuring accurate production planning, cost control, raw material readiness, and seamless coordination between design, sourcing, vendors, and production. The role is critical in delivering production-ready styles on time, within cost, and without last-minute surprises , while maintaining strong process discipline and predictable outcomes.Key Responsibilities (As per KRAs) 1. Production Planning & Control (PPC) and Style Readiness Own PPC planning and execution for all assigned styles. Ensure styles are fully approved for bulk as per production plans. Drive execution strictly in line with approved production timelines. Prevent bulk delays caused by incomplete planning, approvals, or PPC inputs. Maintain complete visibility of style readiness at every stage. 2. Costing Accuracy & Commercial Negotiation Ensure accurate and final costing is completed before bulk commitments. Maintain costs within approved targets through strong commercial control. Lead negotiations with vendors in alignment with brand margin expectations . Flag and escalate cost risks early to avoid margin impact. 3. Sourcing Coordination & Vendor Alignment Act as the key coordination link between design, sourcing, vendors, and production . Ensure complete and accurate tech packs, BOMs, and costing packs are shared on time. Resolve vendor queries within defined timelines. Eliminate production delays caused by misalignment between merchandising and sourcing. 4. Raw Material (RM) Planning & Availability Plan and track raw material availability in line with the production plan. Ensure all RM approvals (fabric, trims, accessories) are completed within timelines. Prevent production holds due to RM non-availability. Coordinate closely with sourcing and vendors to manage RM lead times. 5. OTIF (On-Time In-Full) Delivery Support Drive and support OTIF delivery for all assigned styles. Monitor production progress and identify delivery risks early. Escalate potential delays at least 7 days in advance to enable corrective action. Avoid last-week or last-minute shipment disruptions. 6. Reporting, MIS & Process Discipline Maintain accurate and timely merchandising MIS . Ensure all trackers related to styles, PPC, costing, RM, and OTIF are updated on time. Provide clear visibility on status, risks, and dependencies to stakeholders. Ensure zero surprise escalations impacting production, cost, or delivery. Key Skills & Competencies Strong knowledge of fashion merchandising, production planning, and vendor management . Hands-on experience in costing, negotiations, and margin protection . Excellent coordination and follow-up skills across multiple stakeholders. Strong planning, risk anticipation, and escalation mindset. Ability to manage multiple styles, vendors, and timelines simultaneously. Proficiency in Excel / Google Sheets and merchandising trackers. Qualifications Degree or Diploma in Fashion / Apparel / Textile / Merchandising . 6–10 years of experience in production merchandising / apparel merchandising . Experience in D2C or fast-paced fashion environments preferred. Role Expectations This is a high-ownership role with clear accountability. Vendor delays or late inputs are not acceptable excuses without early escalation. The role demands predictability, discipline, and proactive execution , not reactive firefighting. Why Join Direct ownership of the product execution lifecycle. High visibility and impact on business outcomes. Opportunity to work in a growing fashion/D2C environment. Close collaboration with leadership, sourcing, and production teams.