Apparel Merchandising Lead

Job Title: Senior Manager / Associate Director of Merchandising Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Team Size: 5-6 Members About the Role 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. Key Responsibilities 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. Qualifications & Requirements Education & Experience Bachelor's 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.