Merchandising Manager - Production/Quality - Home Textile

Description:

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Merchandising Manager to manage end-to-end production and quality control operations in home textile manufacturing, based in Karur/Tirupur. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in textile merchandising, production follow-ups, quality standards, vendor management, and coordination with cross-functional teams. This role is crucial for ensuring timely delivery, quality assurance, and effective supply chain execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Vendor Coordination

- Act as a bridge between sourcing, planning, and vendor teams to streamline production processes.

- Coordinate with vendors/suppliers daily to track production timelines, order fulfillment, and delivery schedules.

- Ensure production milestones are met with adherence to lead times and shipment deadlines.

- Ensure adherence to buyer specifications and quality standards during production.

Quality Assurance & Factory Oversight

- Visit vendor factories regularly to monitor production progress and conduct inline and final inspections.

- Identify potential quality issues early and take corrective actions with vendors.

- Implement quality control protocols and ensure compliance with international quality standards.

Vendor Management & Relationship Building

- Build strong working relationships with existing vendors and onboard new vendors when necessary.

- Negotiate timelines, pricing, and quality parameters with suppliers to meet business goals.

- Monitor vendor performance and ensure continual improvement.

Reporting & Documentation

- Maintain accurate documentation on production status, quality reports, rejections, and delivery schedules.

- Provide weekly updates and dashboards to the sourcing and leadership teams.

- Coordinate with logistics and supply chain teams for smooth dispatches and inventory management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Collaborate with sourcing, design, planning, and quality control teams to align production with customer expectations.

- Assist in new product development and sampling when needed.

Qualifications & Skills:

- Bachelors degree in Textile Technology / Fashion Merchandising / Apparel Management or equivalent.

- 6-10 years of relevant experience in home textiles production and merchandising, preferably in export/domestic retail environments.

- Strong understanding of textile manufacturing processes weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing.

- Hands-on experience in quality audits, AQL standards, and buyer compliance requirements.

- Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel), ERP systems, and production tracking tools.

- Fluent in English and Tamil (preferred), strong communication & negotiation skills