Product Development Merchandise Coordinator

Company Description

Step into a world of inclusivity and self-care with our multinational company, a brainchild of a cherished local celebrity. Our essence thrives in the pulse of a fast-paced environment, embracing the dynamic spirit of a startup.

SOLÁ is a fast-growing Philippine bodywear and shapewear brand built around confidence, inclusivity and product innovation. Our portfolio spans shapewear, intimate wear, activewear and adjacent lifestyle categories, with a strong social-commerce and direct-to-consumer presence. We operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and offer meaningful growth opportunities to high-performing team members, including eligibility for Employee Stock Options (ESOP) for selected roles.

Join us in shaping a future where inclusivity thrives, driven by innovation and guided by a passion for fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.

Job Overview

The Product Development Merchandiser is responsible for managing the end-to-end product lifecycle, from initial sourcing, financial forecasting, and supplier negotiation to order execution and sell-through tracking. This role bridges product development, vendor management, inventory planning, and retail analytics to maximize profitability, optimize inventory levels, and ensure timely product delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Budgeting & Merchandise Planning

• Develop and manage the seasonal/monthly Buying Budget (Open-To-Buy / OTB) to align with business financial targets and sales forecasts.
• Analyze sales trends, demand drivers, and historical performance to allocate budgets effectively across product categories and SKUs.

2. Product Development Execution & Sourcing

• Oversee the end-to-end Product Development Status from initial concept/sampling through to production and delivery.
• Conduct price negotiations with suppliers and factory partners to achieve optimal target margins and FOB costs.
• Prepare comprehensive order plans, generate Purchase Orders (POs), and ensure prompt issuance and confirmation of POs with vendors.

3. Sales & Inventory Performance Monitoring

• Continuously monitor Sell-Through Rates (STR), stock turns, and sales velocity to identify fast and slow-moving items.
• Partner closely with the Logistics and Inventory teams to track shipments, manage stock levels, prevent stockouts, and address inventory discrepancies or delays.
• Recommend promotional strategies, markdowns, or re-order plans based on sell-through performance.

4. Vendor & Supplier Relationship Management

• Conduct periodic Supplier Performance Reviews evaluating metrics such as lead time accuracy, product quality, cost-competitiveness, and defect rates.
• Build, maintain, and nurture strong, professional buyer-vendor relationships to foster strategic partnerships.

5. Sample Management & Quality Assurance

• Manage fit, prototype, pre-production (PP), and TOP (Top of Production) samples to ensure compliance with specifications and quality standards prior to mass production.
• Work closely with suppliers to resolve quality failures or factory manufacturing issues.

6. Market Research & Trend Analysis

• Conduct competitive market research, benchmark pricing, and monitor industry trends to inform product assortment strategies and new category development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Fashion Retail, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in product development, retail merchandising, buying, or supply chain management.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficient in Open-To-Buy (OTB) planning, merchandise math, and inventory control metrics (STR, Gross Margin Return on Investment - GMROI, Stock-to-Sales ratio).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, financial modeling).
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Oracle) and Purchasing/PO software.

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to start immediately?
• How many years of Merchandising experience do you have?

Location:

• Makati (Preferred)

Work Location: In person