Product Development & Merchandising

RUNATI ATHLETIX SDN BHD; Kuching; On-site; MYR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

RUNATI ATHLETIX SDN BHD is seeking a product design/merchandising professional to study global and local trends in sportswear and translate insights into viable product concepts.

You will collaborate with Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Warehouse and Production to develop apparel, teamwear, footwear, caps and bags, and you may travel to China for supplier visits and sourcing.

Qualifications

• Interest in sportswear and fashion trends and ability to translate insights into product concepts.
• Experience or strong interest in product development, merchandising, purchasing, sourcing, or retail is a plus.
• Strong communication with overseas suppliers, especially Chinese partners, on specs, samples and lead times.

Responsibilities

• Research and interpret global and local trends in sportswear, fashion, colour and product categories.
• Identify new product opportunities by studying market trends, competitors, customer needs and sales feedback.
• Develop and recommend trendy, attractive and commercially viable sports products.
• Assist in product development including apparel, teamwear, footwear, caps and bags.
• Apply knowledge of fashion, design, colour matching and styling to product concepts.
• Communicate with overseas suppliers on specs, samples, MOQs, pricing, costs and lead times, including travel to China when needed.
• Follow up on samples, amendments, costing, quality and production schedules.
• Analyse sales and inventory data to identify fast-moving and slow-moving products and potential new items.
• Prepare product and market analysis reports and provide recommendations to management.
• Work closely with Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Warehouse and Production teams.

Skills

Trend spotting

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma/Degree in Product Design or Fashion

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

Research the latest sportswear, fashion, colour and product trends locally and internationally.

Identify new product opportunities by studying market trends, competitors, customer needs and sales feedback.

Develop and recommend trendy, attractive and commercially viable sports products.

Assist in product development including sports apparel, teamwear, footwear, caps, bags and other sporting goods.

Apply basic knowledge of fashion, design, colour matching and product styling when developing products.

Communicate and negotiate with overseas suppliers, particularly suppliers from China, on product specifications, samples, MOQ, pricing, costing and lead time.

Follow up on samples, amendments, costing, quality, fitting and production schedules.

Analyse sales and inventory data to identify fast-moving, slow-moving and potential products.

Prepare product and market analysis reports and provide recommendations to management.

Work closely with Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Warehouse and Production teams.

Willing to travel to China for supplier visits, sourcing, product development and exhibitions when required.

Requirements

Diploma/Degree in Product Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Textile/Apparel, Business, Marketing or related fields.

Fresh graduates with a strong interest in sportswear, fashion, product development or merchandising are encouraged to apply.

Experience in product development, merchandising, purchasing, sourcing, fashion, footwear, sportswear or retail is an advantage.

Good command of Mandarin and English is required for communication with overseas suppliers.

Strong interest and awareness of latest trends, colours, designs and sports products.

Basic knowledge of product costing, pricing and supplier negotiation.

Good analytical skills with the ability to understand sales and product performance.

Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or other design software is an advantage.

Creative, proactive, organised, responsible and attentive to detail.

Willing to travel and learn about sportswear, footwear materials, sizing, fitting and manufacturing.

Ideal Candidate

You are someone who:

Has a good eye for trendy designs, colours and product combinations.

Understands that a successful product needs to be attractive, good quality, reasonably priced and profitable.

Enjoys researching new products, materials, competitors and market trends.

Is confident communicating and negotiating with Chinese suppliers.

Can turn customer and sales feedback into practical product ideas.

Has an interest in sportswear, fashion, footwear and sporting goods.

Is eager to learn and grow together with a local sports brand.