Merchandiser at Truworths

Job Description    

• At Truworths, you'll find a dynamic business environment where our staff is constantly challenged to reinvent the way we do business in order to keep us at the forefront of the South African fashion industry.
• Take a walk through our stores or offices and you'll encounter an infectious love of fashion and a tangible will to succeed among the people who make up our business – both of which are key to keeping us at least one step ahead of the competition.
• Truworths is seeking an experienced Merchandiser.

Key Responsibilities    

• Proactively establishes and builds productive and professional relationships with all buying departments, by sharing and imparting knowledge.
• Do regular store visits, both Truworths and Competitors, to look at your product delivered and identify missed opportunities
• Have a clear understanding on product sought and is able to suggest options (i.e. innovative options to achieve the product at the best price for the buyer)
• Demonstrates a “trader instinct” in evaluation and taking advantage of opportunities
• Be the lead point of contact for the relevant buying departments
• Oversees and ensures accurate input and flow of order enquiries into the Sync system

Oversees and ensure briefs are executed accurately and correctly e.g.:

• Ensure briefing and order placement are within our published critical path timelines
• Obtaining detailed and completed briefs from the buyer
• Ensure specs are accompanied
• Checks and finalises cost card before quoting e) Sync system updated and completed correctly
• Understand the cost of styles and manage Buyers expectations in terms of target costs requested
• Oversees and ensures adherence to the Critical Path and lead times and follow-up on orders.
• Analyse Merchant briefing requests / apply ratings/ analyse dyelots and MOQ from Mills
• Oversees and ensures that costings are fully and accurately updated
• Negotiate best prices with outwork service providers i.e. panel prints, embroidery, washes etc.
• Re-style and monitor stock fabrics and bring them to an acceptable level. Turn stock fabrics into turnover
• Oversees and ensures team consistently follows processes and meet relevant Critical Path deadlines for all orders
• Oversees and ensures that all information to the Fabric and Trim Buyers are accurate, so that all components can be placed timeously
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency in meeting deadlines and operates effectively under pressurised time constraints

Ensures that status of orders is clearly and promptly communicated to all parties involved:

• Oversees and ensures that the liaison with the Buying Departments for all approvals and timeous communication is achieved
• Accurate and timeous communication from all Buyers requests into procurement and production
• Accurate and timeous communication into Buying Divisions on all aspects regarding orders or briefs
• Discuss style and delivery changes with Planning and re-quote Buying department if required
• Oversees and provides effective liaison between Buyers, Manufacturing QA and production on all sample submissions and any required approvals
• Deals with all customer delivery issues in collaboration with production, planning and Manufacturing QA.

Qualifications and Experience    

• Work experience in Merchandising Minimum of 5 to 8 years’ experience as a Merchandiser Worked as a Merchandiser for an established clothing manufacturer either in a design warehouse or factory Computer literate with above average Excel experience and knowledge

Competencies    Essential Competencies:

• Team management
• Ability to make decisions
• Managing relationships

Advantageous Competencies:

• Retail knowledge
• Strong administrative skills
• Ability to plan and organise

Behavioural:

• Good communication skills;
• Team orientation
• Attention to detail
• Team player