Consultant, Merchandising

As a Consultant in Merchandising at Centric Brands, you will manage the entire product development process, ensure high-quality and timely deliveries, and liaise effectively with buyers and designers. Specific responsibilities include overseeing sample development, price negotiations, and enhancing production timelines. Additionally, you will foster strong collaborations with suppliers, utilizing tools like Time-and-Action (TNA) and Work-In-Progress (WIP) models to ensure order tracking accuracy.

To be considered for the Consultant, Merchandising role at Centric Brands, you should have at least five years of proven merchandising experience in the apparel product category. Moreover, a comprehensive knowledge of garment manufacturing processes, including construction and fabrication techniques, alongside strong sourcing and negotiation skills, is essential. Proficiency in English and Mandarin and expertise in Microsoft Office applications are also required.

In the Consultant, Merchandising role at Centric Brands, prioritizing supplier relationships is vital to ensuring quality and reliability. You will be responsible for identifying and securing high-quality suppliers, while continuous research into manufacturing industry developments ensures they remain competitive. Your role involves fostering collaboration with suppliers to maintain strong bonds that enhance product development and delivery accuracy.

Success as a Consultant, Merchandising at Centric Brands relies on excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This role demands a results-driven approach, attention to detail, and a strong capability to work effectively under pressure. Additionally, having negotiation skills and the ability to influence effectively between buyers and factories is crucial for maintaining successful operations.

As a Consultant, Merchandising at Centric Brands, you will oversee a variety of exciting projects that span the entire product development cycle—from the initial concept to market delivery. You will collaborate with designers to bring their visions to life, negotiate pricing with suppliers, and monitor production timelines across various products within the apparel segment.

When answering this question, be sure to highlight your specific roles and duties in your past positions. Talk about the projects you have managed, your interactions with suppliers, and any significant achievements in improving product quality or delivery times, showcasing your expertise and understanding of the apparel market.

To effectively answer this, describe your negotiation strategy, including preparation, understanding supplier capabilities, and fostering long-term relationships. Mention any specific instances where you successfully negotiated better terms and how your approach benefited your previous employers.

It is beneficial to mention specific tools you have experience with, such as Microsoft Office, TNA, and WIP tracking systems. Explain your proficiency with these tools and how you effectively use them to enhance the product development process and ensure accuracy.

Your answer should reflect your project management skills, emphasizing proactive planning, clear communication with suppliers, and constant monitoring of production timelines. Also, discuss how you implement improvements based on challenges encountered to maintain standards.

Choose a specific project that posed challenges, explaining the obstacles encountered, the strategies you implemented to address them, and the ultimate outcome. This will show your problem-solving abilities and capacity to remain resilient under pressure.

Discuss the resources you utilize to remain informed about industry trends, such as attending trade shows, reading industry publications, or networking with peers. This will demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead in the field.

Explain your approach to communication, emphasizing clarity, respect, and a collaborative spirit. Provide examples of how you maintain effective relationships with suppliers, regardless of any challenges presenting themselves.

Share the tools and techniques you implement for effective tracking, such as calendar management, regular status updates, and establishing benchmarks for workflow efficiency. Highlight any systems you designed or influenced that improved tracking accuracy.

Select a situation where a conflict arose and describe how you addressed it effectively. Highlight your conflict management skills, focusing on how you facilitated communication between parties and reached a collaborative solution.

Discuss elements such as understanding market trends, knowing your customer base, and collaborating closely with designers and suppliers. It's essential to articulate how each factor plays a role in developing effective merchandising strategies that meet business objectives.