No got to mention that apparel merchandising is one among the first and essential activities in apparel manufacturing and apparel export business. Hence garment manufacturers found out merchandising department. Factories hire merchandisers to handle internal and external merchandising activities.
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In this post i will be able to be talking about standard procedures (SOPs) of the merchandising department in readymade garment production. Sometimes it's assumed that preparing SOP may be a complex task and wish an expert to draft an SOP and wish thorough analysis and approval before implementation the within the system. this is often true but partially. If everyone thinks that way, nobody would come to the fore and prepare SOPs for his or her factory departments and activities.
These SOPs are easier to know and apply within the factory. These SOPs were made for one small-size garment export house.
SOPs are shown for the subsequent activities of merchandising department:
1. Preparation of bill of fabric (BOM)
Standard procedure
Initiate TNA Calendar preparation after receiving order confirmation
First TNA Calendar to be submitted after at some point of order receiving
Analyze style and identify processes to be finished the design
Discuss with PPC department about production process capacity
Prepare TNA Calendar supported process capacity and order quantity
Mail TNA Calendar to Management, PPC department, Store and QA
Update TNA Calendar day to day and enter actual date of completion of a specific task
Initial Plan date shouldn't be modified
Modify TNA Calendar if required and circulate modified TNA Calendar with concerned department.
3. Production files preparation
Standard procedure
1. Prepare production file before PP Meeting
2. Cover page of the assembly file to mark as
Style #, Buyer name
Order quantity,
PP Meeting Date
Ex-factory date
Merchant’s Name who is handling particular account
3. A Production file must include following items
Production file check list
Apparel Tech pack
Purchase Order (PO)
Approved Fabric Swatches (all color ways)
Approved Trim card
Approved print and Embroidery design for color and artwork
PP comments
Buyer’s discuss samples, swatches and approvals
Special instruction for line supervisor/QA
Approved production pattern
PP Meeting comments (Minutes of the meeting)
Copy of TNA Calendar (style wise)
Packing Specification
4. Production file to be handed over to Production Team and Quality Team at the time of PP meeting
5. Number of production files to be made to be decided by internal team
6. T&A calendar to be reviewed at the time of PP Meeting and if required re-planning to be done
7. Responsibility of every task (process) to be discussed
4: Approval of Bulk fabric
Standard procedure
Receive fabric swatch card (3 sets) from fabric store on receiving of bulk fabric. ( before PP meeting)
Merchandiser got to provide approvals to every fabric for cloth quality, Shrinkage and spirality and Fabric Shade band
In case bulk fabric approval to be taken from buyer/buying house, merchant should do sample submission and follow up for the approval
One swatch card to tend to Store, One for production file and one for merchandiser
For rejected or Hold Fabric, decision to be taken by Merchant
5: Approval of Bulk Trims
Standard procedure
Receive Trim card (3 sets) from trim store on receiving of bulk trims (prior to PP Meeting).
Merchant got to provide approvals to every fabric for - (a) Trims quality, (b) Shrinkage and color fastness and (c) Shade variation (DTM tapes, buttons)
One Trim card to tend to Store, One for production file and one for merchandiser
6: Conducting PP Meeting
Standard procedure
1. before PP Meeting prepare production file
2. before PP meeting take approval on PP sample (sealed sample)
3. Intimate PP Meeting date at some point beforehand to all or any concerned department heads/personnel
4. PP Meeting to be attained by
Merchandiser
Sampling team
Fabric and Trim store, fabric checker
Cutting team
Production team
PPC
Quality Assurance
Finishing and Packaging team
5. Minute of the meeting (MOM) to be prepared by QA (or the other assigned person) and to be signed by all participants
6. Copy of the MOM to be filed within the production file
7. Revisit production planning of the design (order) and do necessary modification of dates and processes if required
8. Responsible person for every task to be assigned a la mode planning sheet
Disclaimer: These SOPs of the merchandising activities are only for your reference. These SOPs my not be ready to be used for your organization or factory. Your factory may have different procedures to plan and execute an activity. So, you would possibly need a special SOP. you'll follow above SOPs as guideline and prepare yours. For any help in preparing SOPs you'll contact us.
Comments and feedback on this post are welcomed.