An apparel merchandiser has got to interact with numerous departments during merchandising his product. The merchandiser’s role is to oversee the order right from the time the order is received from the customer till calculating the account profitability and shipment. a clothes merchandiser to finish the order coordinates with the customer , various departments within the organization, suppliers, and job worker’s logistics outside the corporate .
To put it in a few words the merchandiser analyses, plans acquire handles, and controls the entire order from start to finish.
Merchandiser with Buyer and Sampling Department:
The merchandise within the initial stages of order receipt and confirmation coordinates with the customer and sampling department for various approvals.
Role of Merchandiser with Buyer:
A garment merchandiser receives the tech pack from the customer [inquiry]. He has got to work with various departments and prepare a validity report and a feasible quote. The quote are going to be intimated to the customer , price is negotiated and confirmed. the acquisition order is then sent by the customer along side the LC. At the varied stages of samples, prints embroideries, and accessories are sent to the customer for approval. Once the whole approval phase is over goods are produced and shipped.
Also Read... Buyer Requirements from Clothing Industries
Merchandiser with Sampling Department:
Here garments merchandiser arranges for approval of the primary sample it's going to be in only one size, preproduction sample could also be in jumping size or entire size set, embroidery, print approval, and placement approvals also are finalized within the sampling stage. The measurement chart is additionally checked and confirmed upon any increase in measurement will cause an upcharge. The paper pattern is additionally completed with all revisions asked by the customer . the material [Knit downs, bit looms, and first taka] and accessories are approved at this stage
Merchandiser with Purchase Department:
The purchase department is divided into two departments such as fabric and accessories. Working procedure of both departments have discussed the below:
Working Procedure with the Fabric Department:
A garment merchandiser receives the material requirement from the customer . The parameters to stay in mind are the content, fabric count and construction, weight /G.S.M, design of the material , fabric quality, color, etc. the customer will send a picture of the material design to the garment merchandiser and it's replicated by the material manager along side the suppliers into actual. Garment merchandiser coordinated with the material manager for bit looms and knit downs, then it's sent to the customer for approval. On receipt of approval, the primary take of around 10-15 meters or 3kgs -5kgs of knit down is asked from the material supplier because the case could also be . The pre-production size set is shipped to the customer with all actual print, embroidery, and accessories. Once the bit looms or knit downs are approved the worth is negotiated and bulk order is placed. The optimum width/dia required is ascertained in co-ordination with the lectra and production department. within the case of dying of materials again the buyer’s standard should be kept in mind. In Germany, Azo dyes are forbidden. If the quantities are too small for manufacturing the stock lots are often offered. Sourcing, Pricing, Right and Timely deliveries are the most goal of the material manager and therefore the garment merchandiser. Generally, an more than 5% is ordered then the particular required quantity but this will vary from organization to organization and therefore the size of the order.
Accessories Department:
Garment merchandiser receives details of trimmings and accessories required from the customer . The parameters to stay in mind are content, dimension, color, size, logo, etc. e.g. some buyers want nickel-free metallic accessories. If the things as needed by the customer aren't available within the market then options are often proposed to the customer . Once the trimmings and accessories are approved the worth is negotiated and bulk order is placed. Sourcing, Right and Timely deliveries are the most goal of the accessories manager and therefore the garment merchandiser. Generally, an additional 3% is ordered then the particular required quantity but this will vary from organization to organization and therefore the size of the order.
Garment Merchandiser with Store Department:
A copy of the acquisition order with all details for cloth , trimmings, and accessories are given to the stores. Once the products are in-house, the shop manager will send a sample to the garment merchandiser and therefore the respective manager for approval, on receipt of approval of an equivalent the products are going to be in-warded. Here the shop manager has totally the number ordered against the number received along side the worth . Any deviation will need to be reported to the material or trimmings and accessories manager. Garment merchandiser sends the sample of the majority fabric and accessories to the customer for approval. With the assistance of the acquisition order, the stores understand what quantities are to be dispatched. At the top of the order, all balance accessories should reach the stores.
Merchandiser with Testing Department:
Testing is usually outsourced there are companies like Texanlab in India that are sometimes nominated by the customer . Some huge companies conduct basic tests in house. Fabric, trimmings, and accessories are tested as per the parameters given by the customer . the customer lays down a tolerance range for acceptance of products .
Testing of Fabric:
Fabric tests are conducted at various stages as per the need of the customer . Fabric is tested for strength, width, length, shrinkage, thickness, count, colorfastness, etc
Testing of Fibre:
Fiber is tested for strength, maturity, trash content elasticity, length, fineness
Testing of Yarn:
Yarn is tested for strength, count, twist, yarn hairiness, yarn crimps, rigidity
Testing of Accessories:
Accessories are tested for content, color fastness the other requirements by the customer .
Garment Merchandiser with EDP [Electronic Data Processing] Department:
A garment merchandiser should be in synch will and every one departments regarding the method of every order. The EDP department feeds this data in order that at a click one gets information on the status of the order and therefore the functioning of varied departments. Also if the performance is within the time-frame available. There are many software packages available e.g. SAP for this work.
Garment Merchandiser with HR Department:
A garment merchandiser should inform the HR [Human Resource] in case of manpower, godowns, local transport requirement, local permits, manpower movements required.
Merchandiser with Production Department:
The merchandiser on the receipt of the order will intimate the assembly department. Garments production department will plan whether to supply in-house or to outsource through other job workers. Production samples are submitted to the clothes merchandiser for buyers’ approval in sizes mentioned within the LC. Garments merchandiser coordinates daily with the assembly department on the progress of the order and clarification of doubts if any. it's the duty of the clothes merchandiser to follow-up on the patterns, fabric-approved samples for bulk production, and accessories, and every one of these should reach the designated factory in time. After the order is completed, the clothes merchandiser tallies as per inward, outward, and what was consumed and what's left is strictly as per plan. just in case of shortages and excess utilization or rejects need to be justified within the validity report and balance goods are sent to the stores by the clothes merchandiser and therefore the garments production department. Generally, the customer accepts 3% extra of the entire good ordered while others don't accept extra quantities.
Quality Department:
A garment merchandiser should remember of the corporate goals and quality standards along side the standard standards acceptable limit to every buyer. the assembly Manager along side his production team and quality checkers maintains the standard standards. supported the design and volume, the assembly manager will install check points to take care of quality levels.
Role of Garment Merchandiser with Packing Department:
A garment merchandiser co-ordinates with the packing department to pack the products as per the design , ratio and carton quality and size, marking details received by the customer .e.g. if the customer wants goods packed in individual poly-bags or individually packed then ratio packed during a master poly-bag, etc. The garment merchandiser must understand the importance of adhering to packing details received from the customer . The storage and labor cost in foreign countries is extremely high. Where and the way to store the products is preplanned by the customer to possess effective space utilization. consistent with the order received packing details are given in order that it becomes easy to get rid of the designated carton and dispatch where there's a requirement.
Role of garment merchandiser with the commercial department:
A garment merchandiser should provide a replica of all the acquisition orders raised against a specific order to the accounts department to co-ordinate with all departments, garment merchandiser, supplier for excess, shortage or variance of price, etc. Bank transfers, L/C negotiation, allocation of funds are done by the accounts department. The accounts department negotiates with the bank for payment counting on the sort of L/C. Once the order is completed the documents as needed by the customer are submitted to the bank and payments are received.
Role of garment merchandiser with shipping department:
A garment merchandiser co-ordinates with the shipping department for vessel booking, transport, etc, and completion of documents for shipping the order on completion of the order all documents are submitted to the accounts department for realizing of funds from the customer .
Contract profitability:
At the top of the order, the clothing merchandiser will compare the particular and budgeted costs to determine contract profitability. it's on this basis that the performance of the merchandiser is assessed along side time and action planned and executed.
Tips from the writer:
If anybody follows this article carefully then he will be definitely able to answer the following questions in the interview:
What is the role of a merchandiser in an organization?
How does a merchandiser help within the growth of the organization?
Explain the merchandiser role of anyone department?
Why is it important for buyers to understand buyer quality standards?
Why is it essential to require approvals from the customer at every stage?
I hope it will help you.