Technical / Sourcing Merchandiser

Chase Labs; Kolkata District; On-site; INR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Chase Labs in India (Kolkata region) is seeking a Technical / Sourcing Merchandiser to manage the sourcing, development, and commercialisation of fabrics and trims from concept to production. The role requires a strong understanding of textiles, fabric construction, trims, garment construction, dyeing, finishing, printing, and testing.

The candidate will act as a key link between design, merchandising, quality, production, and sourcing teams, ensuring developments meet required quality, cost,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Fabric Technology, Apparel Merchandising, or a related discipline.
• Experience in technical merchandising, fabric sourcing, product development, or purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Fabric & Trim Sourcing and Development: Collaborate with design, buying, and product teams to translate concepts into viable materials; source and develop fabrics and trims across categories.
• Technical Development & Approvals: Coordinate lab dips, strike-offs, print samples, trims, and material submissions; ensure quality and performance standards.
• Critical Path & Production Coordination: Track development progress; ensure timely samples, tests, approvals, and bulk materials; coordinate with mills for delivery schedules.
• Costing & Commercial Management: Support costing activities and negotiate prices; evaluate options for quality, lead time, and costs; maintain vendor records.

Skills

MS Excel

Database management

Communication

Coordination

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Textile Engineering / Fabric Technology / Apparel Merchandising

Job description

At Chase Labs, we aspire to build and power a global portfolio of retail brands, driven by our expertise in data-led product design and an innovative, technology-enabled supply chain.

With a strong focus on innovation, creativity, and operational excellence, we are continuously exploring new ways to transform the fashion and retail landscape while moving towards a more sustainable future.

Our brand portfolio includes Miss Chase, Dolce Crudo, Miss Chase A+, Life with Pockets, House of Denim, and other emerging labels.

Role Overview

We are looking for a knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and technically sound Technical / Sourcing Merchandiser to manage the sourcing, development, and commercialisation of fabrics and trims from concept to production.

The role requires a strong understanding of textiles, fabric construction, trims, garment construction, dyeing, finishing, printing, and testing processes. The candidate will act as a key link between the design, merchandising, quality, production, and sourcing teams, as well as external suppliers and vendors, ensuring that all developments meet the required quality, cost, aesthetic, and performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fabric & Trim Sourcing and Development

• Collaborate with design, buying, and product development teams to understand fabric and trim requirements and translate creative concepts into commercially viable materials.
• Source and develop fabrics and trims across multiple product categories, specifications, and price points.
• Identify and evaluate suitable mills, suppliers, and vendors through market visits and sourcing activities.
• Explore new materials, suppliers, and manufacturing capabilities to strengthen the sourcing network.

2. Technical Development & Approvals

• Coordinate the development and approval of lab dips, strike-offs, print samples, trims, and other material submissions.
• Ensure all fabric and trim developments meet the required aesthetic, technical, and performance specifications.
• Coordinate fabric and trim testing, evaluate test reports, and facilitate third-party certifications wherever required.
• Work closely with suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure approved standards are maintained during bulk production.

3. Critical Path & Production Coordination

• Track fabric, trim, and garment development progress in coordination with internal teams.
• Ensure timely submission of samples, test reports, approvals, and bulk materials.
• Coordinate with mills and suppliers to ensure adherence to agreed delivery schedules.
• Proactively identify development or production bottlenecks and work towards timely resolution.

4. Costing & Commercial Management

• Support fabric and trim costing activities and negotiate prices with suppliers to achieve target costs and margins.
• Evaluate sourcing options based on quality, cost, lead time, and supplier capabilities.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure cost-effective material selection without compromising quality.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with domestic and international mills, suppliers, and vendors.
• Maintain accurate records of vendors, sourcing activities, orders, fabric and trim developments, print submissions, lab dips, and approval status.
• Ensure proper documentation and systematic maintenance of all material specifications, test reports, and approvals.
• Monitor market developments, new textile technologies, sustainability practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Requirements & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Fabric Technology, Apparel Merchandising, or a related discipline.
• 1–2 years of relevant experience in technical merchandising, fabric sourcing, product development, or purchasing.
• Strong technical knowledge of textiles, including fibres, yarns, fabric construction, dyeing, finishing, and fabric/trim testing standards.
• Good understanding of garment construction, fit, and grading.
• Practical knowledge of woven and knitted prints, machine embroidery, and surface embellishments is essential.
• Understanding of fabric and garment quality parameters and performance requirements.
• Experience working directly with domestic and international mills and suppliers (particularly India and China) will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and database management.
• Strong communication, coordination, and organisational skills.
• Analytical and logical thinking with a proactive problem-solving approach.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with cross-functional teams.

Who Should Apply?

We are particularly interested in candidates from the garment manufacturing, apparel, textile, and export house industries who have hands-on experience in fabric and trim sourcing and technical product development.

If you have a strong technical understanding of textiles, enjoy working with suppliers, and can efficiently manage the journey from material development to bulk production, we would love to hear from you.