JOB TITLE
Senior Merchandiser – Knitted Garments (Export)
COMPANY
UK Textiles
LOCATION
Tiruppur, Tamil NaduFull-time | Permanent | On-site
SALARY
Higher compensation may be considered for an exceptional candidate with strong international-buyer exposure, technical knowledge and proven end-to-end order-management capability.
ABOUT UK TEXTILES
UK Textiles is an established knitwear export manufacturer based in Tiruppur, specialising in technically demanding, fashion-oriented and value-added knitted garments for international markets.
As part of its factory and management expansion, the company is seeking a highly capable Senior Merchandiser who can independently manage buyer accounts from product development and costing through bulk production, shipment and order closure.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Merchandiser will take complete merchandising ownership of assigned buyers and orders from initial enquiry through shipment.
The candidate must possess strong knowledge of knitted garments, fabrics, costing, garment construction, printing, embroidery, garment dyeing, washing and other value-added processes. The person must communicate confidently with international buyers, maintain accurate documentation, identify risks early and coordinate effectively with internal departments and external vendors.
This is not a routine follow-up position. The candidate must be capable of independently controlling orders, making timely decisions, escalating genuine risks and ensuring that management and buyers are never surprised at the last moment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
BUYER AND ORDER MANAGEMENT
- Independently handle assigned international buyer accounts Understand enquiries, tech packs, specifications, samples, quality standards, testing requirements and delivery expectations Communicate professionally with buyers and buying offices through clear and timely written emails Acknowledge and respond to buyer communication within the required timeline Maintain complete buyer-wise records of instructions, comments, approvals and commitments Ensure that important decisions are documented through email and not handled only through telephone calls Protect buyer relationships by providing accurate information and timely solutions Never conceal or delay communication because of internal production problems Obtain internal confirmation before making cost, quality or delivery commitments to buyers
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND SAMPLING
- Manage product development from initial enquiry through proto, fit, salesman, size-set, pre-production and shipment samples Coordinate with the product-development, sampling, pattern, CAD, fabric, trims and technical teams Ensure complete interpretation of buyer tech packs, measurements, workmanship and construction details Follow up on fabric, lab dips, trims, prints, embroidery, washes and treatment developments Maintain sample-development timelines and approval trackers Ensure that buyer comments are understood, documented and implemented correctly Prevent development-stage mistakes from repeating in bulk production Maintain approved samples, fabric standards, trims, artwork, wash standards and buyer comments
COSTING AND ORDER CONFIRMATION
- Prepare or coordinate accurate garment costing, consumption and quotation information Understand fabric, trims, CM, printing, embroidery, washing, processing, testing, freight and commercial costs Coordinate with the Costing Manager before submitting or confirming prices Review commercial terms, delivery dates, order quantities and payment terms Ensure confirmed price, BOM, specifications and order details are correctly entered into the ERP Identify margin risks, additional costs and buyer changes before bulk execution Obtain approval for cost increases or unplanned expenses Prevent unauthorised commercial commitments and uncontrolled cost escalation
PRE-PRODUCTION CONTROL
- Prepare a complete time-and-action calendar immediately after order confirmation Conduct order handover to PPC, fabric, sourcing, production, quality, value addition and logistics Ensure all purchase orders, BOMs, specifications, approvals and delivery dates are complete Coordinate pre-production meetings and issue clear written minutes Confirm fabric and trims requirements, booking dates and required in-house dates Track fit, size-set, PP sample, testing, lab-dip and artwork approvals Ensure production does not begin without the required approvals Identify technical and delivery risks before bulk production starts
BULK ORDER EXECUTION
- Monitor the order from fabric booking through cutting, sewing, processing, finishing, packing and shipment Coordinate daily with PPC and production while maintaining merchandising accountability Track order quantities, current location, completed quantity, pending quantity and next action Follow up on fabric, trims, printing, embroidery, garment dyeing, washing, spray, laser and special treatments Coordinate with external job-work vendors wherever required Ensure that delays, shortages and quality failures are reported immediately Escalate risks with facts, impact and recommended corrective action Do not wait until the shipment date to disclose problems Ensure buyer-requested changes are formally documented and communicated to every affected department Monitor additional cost, rework, rejection and commercial exposure during execution
FABRIC AND TECHNICAL COORDINATION
- Possess strong working knowledge of knitted fabrics, yarn compositions, GSM, width, shrinkage, spirality, shade and dimensional stability Understand garment construction, measurements, workmanship and sewing requirements Coordinate with knitting, dyeing, fabric-processing and quality specialists Review fabric and garment test requirements Understand the effects of dyeing, washing, spray, laser, printing and embroidery on garment appearance and measurements Ensure lot, shade and approval continuity from development through bulk Escalate technical concerns to the relevant specialist instead of relying solely on vendor assurances
QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE
- Coordinate with the independent Quality Head throughout order execution Ensure buyer-quality requirements and approved standards are available before production Track fabric, trims and garment testing Ensure buyer or third-party inspections are planned in advance Confirm that goods are internally cleared before being offered for final inspection Coordinate timely corrective action for quality failures Assist in responding to buyer complaints, claims and CAPA requirements Ensure applicable buyer, product, chemical and social-compliance requirements are followed
SHIPMENT AND ORDER CLOSURE
- Maintain complete visibility of ex-factory dates, inspection dates, cargo cut-offs and shipment dates Coordinate with Documentation and Logistics for booking, packing information and shipment instructions Verify that documentation requirements are communicated before cargo preparation Ensure the final packed quantity and assortment match the buyer order Track cargo until physical departure is confirmed Immediately escalate any vendor payment, cargo release, documentation, port or freight problem Send shipment details and required documents to the buyer within the agreed timeline Close every order with shipment quantity, short shipment, excess, claim, additional cost and profitability details
TEAM AND PROCESS RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guide junior merchandisers, assistants and coordinators assigned to the buyer account Allocate work clearly and review completion rather than relying only on verbal follow-up Maintain accurate ERP, Excel and physical records Participate in daily order-review and weekly buyer-review meetings Submit exception-based reports showing delays, risks, required decisions and accountable departments Work closely with Sales, Product Development, Sampling, Costing, PPC, Fabric, Production, Quality, Finance and Logistics Build a disciplined system that does not depend on continuous promoter intervention
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- Graduate or diploma holder in Apparel, Textile, Fashion, Merchandising, Business or a related discipline Minimum 8–12 years of garment-export merchandising experience At least 3 years in a Senior Merchandiser or equivalent independent buyer-handling role Export-oriented knitted-garment experience is compulsory Proven experience managing orders from product development through shipment Experience communicating directly with international buyers or buying offices Strong knowledge of knitted fabrics, garment construction, measurements, trims and production processes Practical experience with printing, embroidery, garment dyeing, washing, spray, laser or other value-added treatments Sound understanding of garment costing, consumption, BOM and commercial implications Strong knowledge of time-and-action calendars, approvals and production follow-up Ability to identify and escalate risks before they affect shipment Excellent written and spoken English Strong Excel, email, ERP and reporting skills Ability to guide junior merchandising personnel Strong ownership, accuracy, organisation and follow-through Must be willing to work full-time from Tiruppur
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to: Head – Merchandising and Product
Works closely with:
- Sales and Buyer Relations Product Development and Sampling Costing PPC and Order Control Fabric and Materials Production Quality Assurance Value Addition and Processing Finance and Commercial Export Documentation and Logistics
The Senior Merchandiser will own buyer communication and merchandising execution.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- On-time sample and approval completion Time-and-action adherence Buyer-email response time Order delivery and shipment performance Accuracy of BOM, costing and ERP information Number of unexpected last-minute escalations Fabric, trims and approval readiness Buyer satisfaction and repeat orders Rework, rejection and avoidable additional cost Gross-margin protection Final-inspection readiness Order-file and documentation completeness Performance of junior merchandising team
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must clearly mention:
- Current or most recent designation and employer
- Total garment-merchandising experience
- Years of knitted-garment export experience
- International buyers or buying offices personally handled
- Product categories handled
- Maximum number and value of orders simultaneously managed
- Value-added processes personally handled
- One serious delivery, quality or buyer problem personally resolved
- Current location and notice period
- Current and expected monthly or annual compensation
Employment history, technical capability and professional references may be verified. Applications will be handled confidentially.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From ₹45,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- How many years of merchandising experience do you have in export-oriented knitted garments?
Answer type: Number
- Have you independently handled international buyers or buying offices from product development through shipment?
Answer type: Yes/No
- Have you worked as a Senior Merchandiser or equivalent independent buyer-account owner for at least three years?
Answer type: Yes/No
- Which international buyers, buying offices and product categories have you personally handled?
Answer type: Long answer
- Do you have strong practical knowledge of knitted fabrics, garment construction, costing, consumption and BOM preparation?
Answer type: Yes/No
- Which value-added processes have you handled: printing, embroidery, garment dyeing, acid/lava wash, spray, laser or other treatments?
Answer type: Long answer
- What is the maximum number and approximate value of orders you have managed simultaneously?
Answer type: Short answer
- Describe one serious shipment delay, quality failure or buyer escalation that you personally resolved. State the problem, your action and the final result.
Answer type: Long answer
- Are you confident communicating independently with international buyers through professional written English?
Answer type: Yes/No
- Are you currently based in, or willing to relocate to, Tiruppur and work full-time on-site?
Answer type: Yes/No
- State your current location, notice period, current compensation and expected compensation.
Answer type: Short answer
Work Location: In person
