General Merchandising Manager

WilliamSELECT; Hong Kong; Sur place; HKD 1 000 000 - 1 600 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Leadingnation is seeking a General Merchandising Manager to lead the sweater category, coordinating between US retail clients and global manufacturers. You will direct end-to-end development, merchandising lifecycle, and vendor execution to drive speed-to-market and cost efficiency.

This leadership role requires building a high-performing team, ensuring quality compliance, and managing timelines across seasonal drops, with strong emphasis on yarn trends, sustainable materials, and regulatory

Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years in apparel merchandising, product development, or sourcing.
• 3–5 years in supervisory/management roles interfacing with US retail/brand clients.
• Experience interfacing with US retail/brand clients.

Responsabilités

• Oversee vendor network across Asia and major production hubs.
• Direct seasonal development calendars to ensure milestones from tech-pack handoff to bulk production.
• Negotiate competitive FOB pricing and manage yarn market fluctuations.
• Lead a team of Merchandisers and Product Developers to ensure on-time delivery across seasonal drops.

Connaissances

Merchandising leadership

Vendor management

Sourcing strategy

Costing & margins

Product development

Team management

US client liaison

Quality assurance

Regulatory compliance

Quality control

WIP/T&A management

PLM systems

ERP platforms

Data analytics

Cross-cultural communication

Negotiation

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Outils

PLM systems

ERP platforms

Description du poste

Position Summary

We are partnering with a global apparel and accessories sourcing company with over 40 years of expertise, offering end-to-end solutions from design to production. With a strong presence across Asia and the US, they pride themselves on agility, innovation, and trusted partnerships with leading brands.

My client is seeking an experienced, strategic, and dynamic General Merchandising Manager (GMM) to lead the Sweater Category. Operating within established US sourcing office environment, you will act as the crucial commercial, operational, and technical link between major US retail/brand clients and global manufacturing supply chain. You will direct the end-to-end product development, merchandising lifecycle, and vendor execution strategies for all sweater classifications—spanning fine-gauge to chunky knits and diverse yarn compositions.

In this leadership role, you will guide a dedicated team of merchandisers and developers, driving speed-to-market, cost-efficiency, strict quality compliance, and seamless execution across all seasonal lines.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Vendor & Sourcing Strategy

• Supplier Network Management: Oversee, evaluate, and cultivate strategic partnerships with core sweater manufacturing factories, yarn mills, and embellishment specialists across Asia and key production hubs.
• OEM/ODM Development Execution: Direct seasonal development calendars to ensure factories hit all critical milestones, from initial tech-pack handoff and proto/sales sample execution to final bulk production.
• Costing & Margin Optimization: Partner closely with costing and technical teams to negotiate competitive FOB pricing, navigate global yarn market fluctuations, and safeguard client profit margins without compromising quality standards.

2. Assortment Architecture & Product Vision

• Client & Brand Alignment: Translate US client brand visions, seasonal trends, and financial metrics into structured, commercial sweater range plans across fine, mid, and heavy gauges.
• Yarn & Technical Innovation: Stay ahead of evolving yarn trends (cashmere, wool blends, cotton, and sustainable/recycled synthetics) and collaborate with technical design teams on innovative stitch patterns, washes, and knit construction methods.
• Client Representation: Serve as the senior point of contact for key US client accounts during line reviews, seasonal presentations, and strategic sourcing discussions.

3. Quality, Compliance & Production Workflow

• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure all sweater production strictly complies with US import/customs guidelines, CPSIA regulations, restricted substance lists (RSL), and ethical manufacturing/social compliance standards.
• Quality Assurance (QA/QC): Partner with internal QA teams to establish rigorous testing protocols (e.g., shrinkage, pilling, torque, and colorfastness) and streamline pre-production approvals.
• WIP & T&A Management: Oversee Workflow-in-Process (WIP) and Time & Action (T&A) calendars to guarantee precise, on-time delivery across all seasonal drop windows.

4. Leadership & Team Management

• Talent Development: Mentor, coach, and elevate a high-performing team of Merchandisers, Product Developers, and Production Coordinators.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Bridge communication gaps seamlessly between US-based clients/buying offices and overseas production facilities, design studios, and QA departments.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in apparel merchandising, product development, or sourcing, with a mandatory and robust focus on the sweater category. At least 3–5 years of supervisory/management experience working within a trading office, buying office, or export house interfacing with US retail or brand clients.
• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive command of sweater manufacturing techniques (fully fashion, cut-and-sew, hand-looming, intarsia, jacquard), yarn specifications, and detailed costing sheets. Strong familiarity with US retail compliance, import/export regulations, and international supply chain dynamics. Proficient in PLM systems, ERP platforms, and advanced data/merchandising tools.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional cross-cultural communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, effectively balancing rigorous client demands with factory constraints. High commercial acumen, structured problem-solving approach, and proactive leadership style.