Merchandise Manager – VN
Substitute Arrangement:
Act as deputy for the Strategic
Purchasing function, as required.
Merchandise Team Representative
Function:
Represents and supports the
Strategic Purchasing function in the local organization, ensuring alignment
between strategic procurement objectives and operational execution.
|
Reporting Line/ Immediate
Superior:
Direct Reports:
|
Strategic Purchaser
Supply Chain Executive
Director Group Procument
Merchandise Team
|
Position Profile
A successful Merchandise
Manager combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a strong partnership-oriented
approach within an international procurement and sourcing environment. The role
serves as the functional lead and key counterpart to the Company’s purchasing
organization, acting as a vital link between strategic procurement objectives
and operational execution.
With a strong focus on
supplier communication, process stabilization, organizational development,
training, and performance follow-up, the Merchandise Manager drives
transparency, accountability, and execution discipline across
procurement-related activities. The position plays a critical role in
strengthening supplier partnerships, enhancing organizational capabilities,
supporting continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment between Company's
strategic direction and local implementation.
Through proactive
stakeholder management, structured follow-up, and effective coordination, the
Merchandise Manager contributes to the development of a high-performing
procurement organization while fostering sustainable supplier relationships and
operational excellence.
The Merchandise Manager
supports the implementation of Company’s procurement strategy in the offshore
environment and ensures that operational and sourcing-related activities are
aligned, followed up, and further developed in close cooperation with Company.
Key Focus Areas
§
Strengthening and further developing strategic
supplier partnerships to enhance collaboration, reliability, and long-term
value creation.
§
Driving the development of organizational
structures, process discipline, and governance standards to ensure consistent
and effective execution.
§
Facilitating the transfer of knowledge, best
practices, and procurement expertise into the Company’s organization to build
sustainable capabilities.
§
Ensuring proactive follow-up of performance
metrics, operational and supplier-related issues, and agreed action plans to
drive accountability and continuous improvement.
§
Sourcing activities are relevant, but only to a
limited extent and primarily in close consultation with or as directed by Company.
Sourcing-related scope accounts for a maximum of approx. 20% of the role.
Key Communication &
Working Relationships
Key Internal Interfaces
·
Group Director Procurement
·
Group Procurement Executive
·
Strategic Purchasing Manager – Material
Sourcing & Offshore Procurement
·
Senior Merchandiser of the Company
·
Merchandiser of the Company
·
Operative Purchasing
·
Technical Textile Department
·
Development Department
·
Quality Department
·
Supply Chain / Logistics
·
Relevant management stakeholders depending on
project and escalation scope
Key
External Interfaces
·
Suppliers, agents, sourcing partners in Asia
·
Service providers conducting quality
inspections
·
Third party laboratories conducting mechanical
and chemical tests
·
Logistics and freight service providers
·
Compliance, audit, certification, and Due
Diligence Partners
·
Relevant Supplier Representatives and
Escalation Contacts
Responsibilities
►
Business Environment and
Market Context
The Merchandise Manager
operates in an increasingly complex and dynamic global procurement environment
characterized by:
Growing demand for transparency, governance,
and visibility across global supply chains.
- Increasing expectations regarding social
compliance, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Rising complexity of international sourcing
networks, supplier structures, and supply chain ecosystems.
- Enhanced focus on risk management, supply
chain resilience, and business continuity.
- Accelerating digitalization of sourcing
markets, procurement processes, and supplier collaboration.
- The need for diversified and resilient
sourcing strategies to support supply security and operational
flexibility.
- Increasing quality, traceability, compliance,
and documentation requirements across the value chain.
► Job Purpose
The Merchandise Manager is
responsible for managing the end-to-end Company’s process, from HQ relationship
management and product development through sourcing, pattern making and final
delivery of task or project. The role drives business growth, profitability,
and customer satisfaction while leading merchandising teams and development
team.
The specific tasks of the
Merchandiser are:
►
Functional Leadership and
Organizational Development
►
Provide functional leadership and guidance to the
Senior Merchandiser and Merchandiser, ensuring alignment with business
objectives, priorities, and performance expectations.
►
Support the definition and structuring of roles,
responsibilities, priorities, and effective ways of working across the team.
►
Foster a culture of accountability, process
discipline, and consistent follow-up to enhance operational effectiveness.
►
Establish and maintain stable, efficient working
routines that support reliable execution and continuous improvement.
►
Strengthen cross-functional interfaces,
collaboration mechanisms, and escalation pathways to ensure transparency and
timely decision-making.
►
Coach and support team members in developing
professional procurement, sourcing, and supplier management capabilities.
►
Drive organizational development initiatives that
enhance performance, collaboration, and execution excellence.
►
Contribute to the ongoing maturation of the
offshore procurement organization by building capabilities, strengthening
governance, and embedding best practices.
►
Support the development of a sustainable, scalable
operating model that enables long-term growth and continuous improvement within
the procurement environment.
►
Training, Coaching, and
Knowledge Transfer
►
Deliver training and onboarding programs for the
local organization in alignment with Cmopany HQ standards, requirements, and
ways of working.
►
Facilitate the effective transfer of process
knowledge, best practices, and operational standards from HQ to MSA to ensure
consistent execution.
►
Provide structured guidance on sourcing
methodologies, supplier management principles, communication standards, and
documentation requirements.
►
Actively coach employees in supplier follow-up,
issue resolution, stakeholder communication, escalation management, and
execution discipline.
►
Support the development of organizational
capabilities by strengthening process understanding, accountability, and
professional working practices.
►
Ensure that strategic objectives and procurement
priorities are consistently translated into effective day-to-day operational
execution.
►
Foster a culture of continuous learning, knowledge
sharing, and continuous improvement across the organization.
►
Deliver targeted training and knowledge-transfer
activities to align teams with strategic priorities, capability development,
and successful implementation of Company standards and expectations.
►
Proactive Follow-up and
Process Ownership Support
►
Drive proactive follow-up of open actions,
decisions, documentation, risks, and escalations across ongoing projects,
supplier cases, and operational activities.
►
Assume temporary process ownership where required
to stabilize execution, improve structure, and ensure consistent progress.
►
Support the timely closure of open topics by
maintaining clear accountability, documentation, and end-to-end traceability.
►
Promote operational discipline, transparency, and
consistency across processes while ensuring effective coordination among
stakeholders.
►
Identify execution gaps, bottlenecks, and risks,
and proactively initiate corrective actions to maintain momentum and alignment.
►
Act as a stabilizing force and trusted counterpart
to the organization, providing guidance, structure, and follow-through where
needed.
►
Enhance process effectiveness and execution quality
without assuming full responsibility for routine day-to-day operational
processing.
►
Ensure that responsibilities remain clearly defined
and that sustainable process ownership is maintained within the respective
functions.
► Supplier Communication and
Entrepreneurial Counterpart Role
►
Act as a proactive and entrepreneurial counterpart
to suppliers, laboratories, and other external business partners, fostering
constructive and value-driven collaboration.
►
Lead discussions on quality concerns, corrective
actions, timelines, technical matters, and execution risks to ensure timely
resolution and effective decision-making.
►
Maintain focused, professional, and
solution-oriented communication that drives accountability, transparency, and
measurable outcomes.
►
Challenge issues proactively and engage
stakeholders in identifying practical and sustainable solutions.
►
Strengthen supplier relationships through
trust-based collaboration while consistently safeguarding Company’s commercial,
operational, and strategic interests.
►
Facilitate clear alignment of expectations,
priorities, and responsibilities between suppliers and internal stakeholders.
►
Support continuous improvement by encouraging open
dialogue, performance-oriented discussions, and effective follow-up on agreed
actions.
► Support of Operational
Order Management and Sourcing Activities
►
Support and review operational order management,
supplier follow-up activities, and sourcing-related processes within the
Company’s environment to ensure effective and consistent execution.
►
Monitor adherence to established procedures and
ensure transparency throughout order processing, supplier communication, and
sourcing activities.
►
Ensure the completeness, accuracy, and timely
maintenance of documentation, records, and reporting requirements.
►
Drive disciplined follow-up on open actions,
commitments, and operational milestones to maintain momentum and
accountability.
►
Identify gaps, delays, or process deviations and
proactively coordinate corrective measures with relevant stakeholders.
►
Intervene in critical cases where alignment,
structure, execution quality, or progress is insufficient, ensuring timely
resolution and escalation where necessary.
►
Support continuous improvement of operational
workflows by promoting process consistency, transparency, and best-practice
execution.
► Sourcing Activities in
Alignment with Company
►
Support sourcing initiatives in close coordination
with Company and in accordance with established strategic procurement
priorities and objectives.
►
Provide market intelligence, supplier feedback, and
local sourcing support to facilitate informed decision-making and effective
supplier management.
►
Contribute to the development, stabilization, and
expansion of supplier relationships in alignment with Company’s sourcing
strategy.
►
Assist in supplier evaluations, market assessments,
and sourcing projects where local expertise and market presence add value.
►
Ensure that all sourcing-related activities are
executed transparently and in alignment with Company’s direction, governance
standards, and approval processes.
►
While supporting sourcing activities as needed, the
primary focus of the role remains on coordination, process stabilization,
supplier management, and operational execution, with sourcing responsibilities
accounting for approximately 20% of the overall role.
► Partnership Strengthening
and Interface Management
►
Build and maintain strong, long-term partnerships
with suppliers and key external stakeholders to support business objectives and
sustainable growth.
►
Foster trust, transparency, and high-quality
communication to enhance collaboration, execution reliability, and mutual
accountability.
►
Act as an effective interface between Company and
the local/Asian supplier network, ensuring clear alignment of expectations,
priorities, and requirements.
►
Strengthen supplier engagement and collaboration
through proactive communication and relationship management.
►
Support the establishment of clear communication
channels, governance structures, and accountability mechanisms across all
stakeholders.
►
Facilitate effective coordination between internal
teams, suppliers, and external partners to ensure smooth execution of
procurement and sourcing activities.
►
Promote a partnership-oriented approach that drives
continuous improvement, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.
► Issue Handling, Escalation,
and Action Tracking
►
Monitor and track operational, commercial,
technical, and supplier-related issues to ensure timely resolution and business
continuity.
►
Drive disciplined follow-up on corrective actions,
agreed measures, and key deadlines to ensure effective implementation.
►
Facilitate the timely escalation of unresolved,
high-risk, or recurring issues to the appropriate stakeholders and
decision-makers.
►
Maintain transparency regarding open topics,
responsibilities, and progress status to ensure accountability across all
parties.
►
Ensure that action items are systematically
documented, monitored, and closed within agreed timelines.
►
Coordinate with internal teams, suppliers, and
external partners to resolve issues efficiently and prevent recurrence.
►
Support a structured problem-solving approach by
identifying root causes, tracking mitigation measures, and promoting continuous
improvement.
► Process Stabilization and
Implementation Support
►
Support the implementation and effective adoption
of agreed procurement, sourcing, and operational processes across the
organization.
►
Take ownership of critical processes where required
to establish stability, consistency, and execution discipline.
►
Identify structural gaps, inefficiencies, and
execution weaknesses, and proactively recommend sustainable improvement
measures.
►
Drive process standardization and ensure adherence
to established procedures, policies, and best practices.
►
Promote the consistent and effective use of
procurement tools, documentation standards, and reporting frameworks.
►
Monitor process performance and support continuous
improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and transparency.
►
Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure process
changes are implemented successfully and embedded within daily operations.
► Coordination with Company
and Strategic Alignment
►
Work in close alignment with Company on strategic
priorities, supplier-related initiatives, process improvements, and sourcing
activities.
►
Ensure that all local actions, supplier
interactions, and procurement decisions are fully aligned with Company’s
strategic procurement objectives and business requirements.
►
Act as a trusted local representative of Company’s
procurement organization, translating strategic expectations into effective
operational execution.
►
Facilitate strong collaboration and communication
between Company and the local organization to ensure transparency, consistency,
and alignment.
►
Support the implementation of procurement
strategies, process changes, and supplier development initiatives while
ensuring practical and sustainable execution.
►
Drive accountability and follow-through on agreed
actions, ensuring timely progress and alignment with business goals.
Performance Requirements
► Candidate Profile & Key Competencies
►
Exemplifies
a best-in-class Merchandise Manager profile, combining strong commercial
acumen, supplier management expertise, and operational excellence.
►
Demonstrates
a deep understanding and practical application of the “Act Global, Think Local”
strategy.
►
Possesses
a strong understanding of the supplier landscape, market dynamics, and
industry-specific developments.
►
Able
to translate procurement requirements into clear, actionable initiatives for
both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
►
Excellent
communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to
effectively bridge Asian supplier markets and European customer expectations.
►
Strong
market knowledge, commercial awareness, and understanding of end-to-end
business and procurement processes.
►
Solid
understanding of textile-related products, manufacturing processes, and supply
chain structures.
►
Proven
ability to strengthen supplier partnerships while continuously enhancing
internal processes and organizational effectiveness.
►
Proactively
identifies challenges, constructively challenges existing practices, and
ensures disciplined follow-up to drive sustainable solutions.
►
Highly
organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple
priorities effectively.
►
Collaborative
team player with the ambition and capability to assume functional or team
leadership responsibilities.
►
Adaptable
and resilient, with the flexibility to respond effectively to changing
priorities and diverse business requirements.
►
Demonstrates
strong professional writing, presentation, and language skills, supported by
experience communicating with international suppliers, customers, and business
partners.
► Professional Qualifications & Experience
►
Professional
experience within the textile industry, with exposure to sourcing, procurement,
or supply chain functions.
►
Experience
in technical textiles is highly preferred.
►
Profile
closely aligned with the Company Strategic Buyer competency framework and
requirements.
►
Strong
understanding of sourcing processes, procurement coordination, and supplier
relationship management.
►
Ability
to proactively engage and communicate with suppliers, testing laboratories, and
other external stakeholders on technical and commercial topics.
►
Experience
in process monitoring, issue resolution, and cross-functional organizational
support.
►
Previous
experience working in an international or Western company environment is
considered an advantage.
►
Proficient
in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
►
Strong
English communication skills, including professional business correspondence.
►
Familiarity
with ERP systems, procurement platforms, documentation management, and related
business tools is a plus.
► Behavioural Competencies
►
Entrepreneurial
mindset with a strong drive for continuous improvement and value creation.
►
Proactive,
forward-thinking, and willing to challenge the status quo constructively.
►
Conscientious,
vigilant, and highly motivated to develop people, processes, and organizational
structures.
►
Strong
ambition and potential to grow into a team leadership role.
►
High
level of ownership and accountability, with a hands-on approach rather than a
reliance on senior management direction.
►
Disciplined,
reliable, and committed to delivering results.
►
Solution-oriented,
with the ability to identify practical and effective resolutions to challenges.
►
Assertive
and confident in decision-making while maintaining a collaborative and
cooperative working style.
►
Strong
intercultural awareness and the ability to work effectively in diverse,
international environments.
►
Willingness
to engage directly with suppliers and external business partners to drive
performance and build strong relationships.
►
Flexibility
and willingness to travel occasionally, including international travel when
required.