Job Description – Senior Fabric Sourcing Merchandiser

Location: Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu

Experience: 8+ Years

Industry: Apparel / Buying House

Category: Knitwear

Function: Fabric Sourcing & Development

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Fabric Sourcing Merchandiser with 8+ years of experience in knit fabric sourcing and development, preferably from a buying house, sourcing office, or apparel export organization.

The candidate will be responsible for sourcing and developing knit fabrics as per buyer requirements, managing fabric suppliers and mills, negotiating costs, and ensuring the right quality and delivery timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end knit fabric sourcing and development for international and domestic buyers.
• Source and develop fabrics based on buyer specifications, design requirements, quality standards, and target prices.
• Identify and develop reliable knitting mills, dyeing/processing units, and fabric suppliers in Tiruppur and other sourcing hubs.
• Have strong knowledge of knit fabric qualities, compositions, GSM, construction, finishes, and applications.
• Source fabrics such as Single Jersey, Interlock, Rib, Pique, Fleece, French Terry, Slub, Waffle, Modal, Viscose, Cotton blends, and other knit qualities.
• Coordinate fabric development from initial enquiry and swatches through lab dips, development yardage, approvals, and bulk production.
• Work closely with the merchandising, design, technical, quality, and production teams to meet buyer requirements.
• Source fabrics within the agreed target cost and negotiate competitive prices with suppliers.
• Prepare fabric cost comparisons and support the merchandising team during buyer negotiations and order finalization.
• Follow up with suppliers on development, approvals, production status, quality, and delivery timelines.
• Ensure fabrics meet required standards for GSM, composition, shrinkage, color fastness, hand feel, dimensional stability, and other buyer-specific requirements.
• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve quality issues, shade variations, delays, and development challenges.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing mills and continuously identify new suppliers and fabric developments.
• Conduct regular supplier visits to evaluate quality, capacity, capability, lead time, and commercial competitiveness.
• Maintain updated records of fabric suppliers, qualities, prices, developments, and supplier performance.
• Keep track of new knit fabric developments, market trends, sustainable fabrics, and innovative textile qualities.
• Support the team in achieving cost, quality, and delivery targets across multiple buyer programs.

Key Skills & Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in Knit Fabric Sourcing / Fabric Merchandising.
• Strong experience with a Buying House / Sourcing Office / Apparel Export House preferred.
• Strong knowledge of knit fabrics and their applications in apparel.
• Good understanding of knitting, dyeing, finishing, and fabric development processes.
• Strong vendor network in Tiruppur is highly preferred.
• Excellent costing and negotiation skills.
• Strong vendor development and supplier-management skills.
• Good understanding of buyer requirements and international quality standards.
• Strong follow-up and coordination skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel locally for mill and supplier visits.

Preferred Candidate Profile

Candidates from Buying Houses, Sourcing Offices, Apparel Exporters, or International Brand Sourcing Teams with strong exposure to knit fabric sourcing and supplier management will be preferred.

Candidates should have a proven track record of managing multiple fabric developments, competitive costing, supplier negotiations, and timely fabric execution.

Key Performance Areas

Knit Fabric Sourcing | Fabric Development | Vendor Management | Cost Negotiation | Supplier Development | Quality | Buyer Requirements | Timely Delivery | Market & Fabric Development