Role of Merchandiser in Apparel Merchandising

Role of Merchandiser  in Apparel Merchandising; 

In Apparel Merchandising, Role of  Merchandiser is not Specific. In generally, Merchandisers have to move with the frequent changes in demand & the developing technologies utilized in Manufacturing & Production. To find out Customers requirements, It's Important to be able to follow to think on one's feet. Merchandiser roles /actives should cover below areas; 

Role of Merchandiser:

1. Understanding Order :
The main role of merchandiser is understanding the order whats actually Buyers required. After receiving product specification/product package Merchandiser play his vital role to execute orders  

Many cases, there are modifications pertaining to the specifications in order to on time & the right quality.

Merchandisers should talk in-house veterans for any probable difficulties to the execution of orders & figure out a solution. In each stage right information should be available on merchandisers hand for decision making.

2.Developments:

The initial requirement from Buyer to place an Order. Like received inquiry from Buyer. Then study all the papers very carefully and also study the samples to quote the price accordingly. Sometimes it is necessary to make a sample first. Merchandisers should familiar with all the development

procedure of an Order.

3.Sourcing of Materials:

Merchandiser should find out the sources of Fabrics, Yarn, Accessories and know the procedure of getting all these from the sources.

4.The idea about Fabrics and Accessories:

Merchandisers' have to have an idea on all the common fabrics and accessories that are used

for the common garments item. In Bangladesh, we are familiar in three type Fabrics i.e. Woven, Knit, and Sweater. For Woven Fabrics. Merchandisers' should know the construction of woven fabrics in many cases. Especially when it is cotton or CVC (chief value cotton) or CVS (chief value synthetic).

All the knit fabrics are circular knitted. Merchandisers' should have an idea on various knit Fabrics. It is necessary to know the yarn count of a knit fabric when the fabric type and GSM (gram per square meter). Regarding sweater, Merchandiser needs to know different types of Sweater yarn & its identification process.

5. Pricing, Consumption & Costing:

Merchandisers' have to know all the process to quote prices of any garment. To quote

Garment price the Merchandiser should know the Fabric & accessories Price, Consumption, Garments CM, Wash cost, Commercial cost for the particular order.

6. Price Quotation, Negotiation & Order Confirmation:

Merchandiser should quote initial product price to the buyer, negotiate on pricing factors & finally lock the price for the order. If any changes made on a particular style product price may affect for these reasons. Merchandiser should take care on it & update costing accordingly.

7. Order Follow up or Critical Path System (CPS):

The merchandiser has to manage every single production schedule and order the route card that helps to follow-up the execution in the planned way.

In a daily schedule, merchandiser has to carry-out and categorize which is the most significant and urgent task. The activity that has to be focused with full attention to sweep-off non-essential activities and have to be to corrected by prioritizing to meet the deadlines.

8. Samples:

Samples are very important to get an order from a Buyer. There is a different type of samples required to complete an order. They are Counter/Initial/1^st approval/Red seal/Fit => Size Set =>Pre-Production (PP) => Shipment/Gold Seal. Other than these there are another two type samples i.e. Photo samples and Salesman.

The Counter/Red Seal/Approval/Size Set/Photo/Pre-production samples should be provided on time to the concerned buyers. Quality of the sample must be verified. If required, revised samples should be made available to the buyer. Merchandiser should adjust to the required changes demanded by the buyer. The execution to bulk orders should be made only after samples are approved by the buyer.

9.Planning:

The merchandiser should sit with all the concern department people to make a plan for every order.

10.Solving the shortage problem:

Merchandiser should know about the dearth of any commodity such as fabric, yarn, etc…from the beginning. Actions should be taken immediately to arrange the required materials, after discovering the shortage. It is expected that the merchandisers should verify the quality and quantity of the goods prior to the execution of the order. If the material is found unavailable, the superior should be informed about the concern.

 11. Communicating with associated People and Buyer:

It is essential to communicate with the buyers regarding the order. It is expected to give some time to the buyer to read the sent messages. Merchandiser should to go through the messages received from the buyer and reply on time. In many cases, merchandisers have to provide order status to the buyers. Also, merchandiser has to communicate with the people that are in-house, vendors, contractors, and job-workers. Only through the right communication can one meet the deadline for the concerned orders.

12. L/C and Commercial Formalities:

Merchandisers have to have knowledge about basic L/C  terms and conditions and also about the procedure of commercial department. After receiving an L/C a Merchandiser should check the main points/clause of the L/C i.e. Form of the L/C, L/C no. , Issue date, Applicant and Beneficiary name, and address, amount, Payment terms, Shipment mode, Goods description, Mode of Shipment,  documents required, ICC clause, etc.

13.Marketing Policy:

How to get a customer for generating sales force, this is additionally required skill for Merchandiser. I have posted another article regarding this.

Conclusions:

The merchandiser has to assign subordinates to help him in the order execution and direct the procedures. He has to revise his knowledge from time-to-time to know current market trends. To record preferences for all the planned activities should follow daily time log systems.