Merchandiser - Sourcing

Objective: This position is responsible for supporting product sourcing, vendor coordination, and merchandise planning to ensure optimal product availability, quality, and cost-efficiency. The role plays a critical part in executing seasonal buying strategies, ensuring timely deliveries, and maintaining brand and quality standards across regions. Key Responsibility: Assist in developing seasonal sourcing strategies in alignment with brand objectives, sales forecasts, and margin targets. Source and develop products through approved vendors and manufacturers across local and international markets to meet brand objectives. Manage vendor communications, including quotations, lead times, minimum order quantities, and compliance documentation. Negotiate costs, payment terms, delivery timelines, freight conditions, and sampling procedures with suppliers to achieve optimal margins. Monitor product development progress and critical path to ensure timely approvals, production, and delivery as per calendar timelines. Conduct vendor assessments and assist in onboarding reliable suppliers aligned with quality, compliance, and ethical sourcing standards. Coordinate with quality control and logistics teams to ensure product integrity, regulatory compliance, and smooth inbound shipments. Analyze sourcing performance by reviewing product costing, order fulfillment rates, and supplier scorecards to support continuous improvement. Stay up to date with market trends, fabric and raw material innovations, and manufacturing capabilities to recommend sourcing alternatives. Support post-season reviews with suppliers to evaluate performance, share feedback, and identify areas for development. Liaise with internal departments including merchandising, logistics, marketing, and finance to ensure cohesive execution of sourcing plans. Assist in seasonal markdown planning, inventory analysis, and order re-negotiations based on sales performance and market dynamics. Track and maintain accurate sourcing documentation, POs, and cost sheets for auditing and performance review purposes. Desired Experience: 2-5 years of experience in merchandising, sourcing, or buying within the retail industry. Strong negotiation, vendor management, and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and market trends. Proficiency in MS Excel, sourcing tools, and ERP systems. Bachelor's degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain, or a related field.