Apparel Merchandising Lead

Job Title: Senior Manager / Associate Director of Merchandising
Location: Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Team Size: 5-6 Members

OUr client is seeking a highly experienced and commercially driven Merchandising leader to join their Vietnam team. This is a critical leadership role responsible for steering the merchandising strategy for key US brands.

In the role you will lead a team of 5-6 professionals managing the entire lifecycle from sourcing and product development to delivery ensuring we exceed customer expectations while optimizing costs and quality.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Lead mentor and develop a high-performing merchandising team to achieve business objectives and ensure superior customer satisfaction.
• Foster a collaborative environment that balances commercial goals with operational excellence.

End-to-End Merchandising & Sourcing

• Oversee all merchandising activities including sourcing costing product development order execution and on-time delivery.
• Drive competitive sourcing strategies to optimize cost ensure quality and improve delivery performance.
• Monitor supplier performance production capacity and compliance with labor standards.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain robust long-term relationships with customers garment factories fabric mills and suppliers.
• Partner effectively with cross-functional teams (Design Production Quality) to ensure seamless execution of customer requirements.

Business Development & Market Intelligence

• Support business growth by identifying new sourcing opportunities and developing customer accounts.
• Provide market intelligence on sourcing trends capacity pricing and industry developments to inform strategic decisions.
• Coordinate with regional offices regarding sourcing and production allocation as required.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure strict adherence to company policies customer requirements and international labor standards.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Business Textile Engineering Supply Chain Management Fashion or a related field.
• 15 years of progressive merchandising experience in the apparel industry.
• Minimum of 6 years in a senior management/leadership role.

Industry & Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in sourcing costing product development production management and vendor management within the garment sector.
• Proven track record of managing major US/International customer accounts (experience with Chicos Talbots or similar brands is highly preferred).
• Strong analytical problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Leadership & Communication

• Exceptional leadership and coaching skills with a proven ability to develop teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management negotiation and presentation skills.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance customer needs against business objectives.

Language & Location

• Fluent in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
• Working from office in Ho Chi Minh City with business travels when neccessary.