Merchandiser - Furniture & Lighting

Role Summary

This role focuses on developing new furniture and lighting products by working from creative briefs and sample designs provided by designers. The Merchandiser collaborates closely with Design-Production (DP) vendors to ensure designs meet desired standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform regular market visits, research, and surveys to gather insights for targeted markets.
• Assist in creating mood boards and thematic concepts for seasonal product lines.
• Review original content and work closely with designers to finalize sample designs.
• Place orders with Supply Chain and DP vendors for sample creation and final ranges.
• Communicate creative briefs to Supply Chain and monitor range development progress.
• Engage with Product Heads to explain briefs and clarify detailed seasonal requirements.
• Calculate sample costs once ranges are finalized, ensuring alignment with gross profit objectives.
• Maintain an archive of designer and competitor samples for reference and future planning.
• Keep sampling tracker updated with supplier details and sample statuses continuously.
• Track and analyze current market trends and emerging designs.
• Maintain and evolve detailed catalogues by style and manage a database of design elements and samples.
• Prepare and deliver internal range presentations to merchandising leadership and consolidate feedback.
• Coordinate with Brand & Marketing departments on market promotions and visual merchandising materials.
• Ensure product availability for photo-shoots and promotional activities.
• Finalize product costs according to gross profit targets before key range presentations.
• Create purchase orders on Fabconnect platform, adhering to budgets and timelines.
• Approve pre-production samples by vendors and ensure timely launch of complete ranges on the web store alongside promotions.
• Archive all best-selling samples and maintain physical range room samples and range books.
• Identify new vendor and business opportunities and coordinate information transfer to Supply Chain team.
• Engage in DP vendor management with Supply Chain collaboration.
• Regularly visit stores and competitors to identify emerging market trends and fill gaps in product offerings.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech/M.F.Tech).
• 3 to 5 years experience in merchandising, sampling, and product development, preferably in furniture and lighting categories.

Skills and Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of Fabindia products and merchandising processes.
• Expertise in sampling, sourcing, and vendor management.
• Strong merchandising and costing capabilities.
• Familiarity with Management Information Systems (MIS).