Senior Merchandiser

Executive Placements; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in Johannesburg is seeking a candidate experienced in fashion merchandising or production. This role involves liaising with buyers, managing product lifecycles from development to delivery, and coordinating with design and QA teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the fashion supply chain and excellent communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in a fashion merchandising or production environment.
• Strong understanding of the fashion supply chain, QA processes, and buyer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with buyers, design, and QA teams.
• Manage product lifecycles from development to delivery.
• Handle all buyer queries and ensure prompt communication.
• Assist in the sample approval process.

Skills

Communication skills

Coordination skills

Administrative skills

Understanding of fashion supply chain

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The successful candidate will play a key role in liaising with buyers, coordinating with design and QA teams, and managing product lifecycles from development to delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Buyer & Sales Support

• Handle all buyer queries and ensure prompt, accurate communication.
• Assist with line showings and follow-up on sales meetings.
• Attend line showings, take notes, and support Coordinators with style briefs.
• Send style briefs accurately and within set deadlines.

Product Development & Coordination

• Verify purchase orders (POs) against allocated indents.
• Maintain constant communication with Coordinators regarding buyer costings and fabric styling.
• Liaise with Design teams on design requirements, amendments, tech packs, technical drawings (TDs), and CADs.
• Assist in the sample approval process.
• Check photo samples against CADs and TDs, attaching relevant photo sample cards.
• Verify lab dips and trims against original swatches.

Approvals & QA

• Prepare approval documentation with original swatches attached.
• Communicate approval comments to suppliers and file lab dips / trims post-approval.
• Assist Coordinators in costing styles across different fabric types, finishes, and levels of complexity.
• Confirm delivery dates and assist in maintaining costing / style files.

Quality Assurance

• Action QA comments efficiently and accurately.
• Participate in fittings and technical discussions with the QA team.
• Assist in compiling QA, PPS (Pre-Production Samples), and Shipping Sample reports.
• Ensure PPS reports are sent, received, and actioned by suppliers.
• Check samples against indent system, CADs, and TDs.
• Submit reports to QA and verify all measurements and comments.

Supplier Communication & Documentation

• Clearly communicate QA reports and graded specifications to suppliers.
• Provide full commentary on all failed QA samples.
• Keep the indent system accurately updated.
• File all QA reports and graded specifications.
• Prepare sealed samples and paperwork for QA rail and submit QA packs to the warehouse.

Warehouse & Delivery

• Follow up with the warehouse for BPS (Bulk Production Samples) a week before delivery.
• Check final samples against indent, CAD, and TDs.
• Verify all documentation (order number, RSP, delivery date, etc.) and submit for final checks.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years experience in a fashion merchandising or production environment.
• Strong understanding of the fashion supply chain, QA processes, and buyer expectations.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and administrative skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).