Senior Merchandiser

Talented Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion merchandising company is seeking a skilled candidate to manage buyer queries and ensure effective communication with design and QA teams. This role requires at least 5 years of experience in fashion production, strong understanding of QA processes, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, coordinating product lifecycles and maintaining quality assurance standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in a fashion merchandising or production environment.
• Strong understanding of the fashion supply chain, QA processes, and buyer expectations.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Handle all buyer queries and ensure prompt, accurate communication.
• Assist with line showings and follow up on sales meetings.
• Check photo samples against CADs and TDs, attaching relevant photo sample cards.

Skills

Buyer queries management

Communication skills

Fashion supply chain understanding

Coordination skills

Administrative skills

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CADs

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).
• Experience with CADs, tech packs, and fashion trims / fabrics.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational and time‑management abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.