Senior Merchandiser – Product Development

WE ARE HIRING: Senior Merchandiser – Product Development 

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Employment Type: Full Time
Industry: Apparel Manufacturing / Garment Industry / Product Development 

Role Overview 

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Senior Merchandiser – Product Development to lead product development activities while driving business growth, customer engagement, and market expansion initiatives. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing product development projects, managing customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring successful execution of product development activities from concept through commercialization. This role requires strong leadership, market knowledge, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders within a fast-paced apparel manufacturing environment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Product Development Merchandisers while providing guidance, support, and mentorship to ensure effective execution of development activities.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to support new business development, customer acquisition, and market expansion.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, customer preferences, competitive dynamics, and new market opportunities within the apparel industry.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Design, Production, and Planning teams to align product offerings with customer and market requirements.
• Develop customer acquisition strategies and build strong relationships with existing and prospective customers to drive long-term business growth.
• Identify and prioritize key customers and strategic accounts based on growth potential and business objectives.
• Prepare and present proposals, presentations, product concepts, and development solutions to customers while highlighting the company's capabilities and competitive advantages.
• Negotiate pricing structures, contracts, and commercial agreements to maximize profitability while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Monitor competitor activities, market developments, and customer requirements while proactively identifying opportunities and risks.
• Maintain and manage a strong pipeline of development projects and business opportunities while providing regular updates to management.
• Coordinate design developments, customer presentations, sample development activities, and approval processes.
• Monitor sample development progress and ensure timely communication and resolution of issues throughout the development cycle.
• Work closely with the Planning team to develop effective Time & Action (T&A) plans that support customer delivery requirements.
• Conduct regular reviews of product development progress and ensure projects remain on schedule and aligned with customer expectations.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations across all product development activities.
• Drive innovation through analysis of customer feedback, market intelligence, and emerging trends to support continuous product improvement.
• Support process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing production efficiency, product quality, and operational performance.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and performance-driven culture within the Product Development function.
• Perform any additional responsibilities assigned by management to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in Product Development, Merchandising, or a related function within the apparel industry.
• Strong understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and apparel industry dynamics.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing, Design, Planning, and Production.
• Strong negotiation, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Good knowledge of market research techniques, customer analysis, and commercial planning.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret market and customer data to support strategic decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously.
• Customer-oriented mindset with strong relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Ready to take your career to new heights? 

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner in Sri Lanka, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! 

Our client is looking for a skilled individual to fill the role of Senior Merchandiser – Product Development. 

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!

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