Pankaj Kumar

• Managed end-to-end merchandising operations including fabric sourcing, product development, bulk production coordination, and shipment follow-up.

• Handled garment costing with multiple vendors and negotiated competitive prices to meet target margins.

• Managed ~100 styles simultaneously across 8–10 suppliers, ensuring smooth development and bulk production execution.

• Coordinated with Design, Technical, QA, and Logistics teams to ensure timely order execution and compliance with buyer requirements.

• Followed up with suppliers for lab dips, strike-offs, proto samples, fit samples, PP samples, TOP samples, trims, and fabric approvals.

• Monitored Time & Action (T&A) calendar to ensure timely material sourcing and production milestones.

• Acted as a key liaison between buyer and vendors, monitoring product development and bulk production progress.

• Prepared buying trip presentations including style details, costing, supplier information, and sample updates.

• Negotiated quotations for fabrics, trims, embroidery, and embellishments to achieve cost targets.

• Conducted weekly supplier visits to review production status, resolve issues, and ensure timeline adherence.

• Maintained Work-In-Progress (WIP) tracking and provided regular updates to buyers and internal teams.

• Coordinated fabric and garment testing (FPT & GPT) to ensure compliance with buyer quality standards.

• Performed fit sample evaluation to ensure measurement accuracy and garment construction compliance.

• Conducted Pre-Production (PP) sample approvals prior to bulk production.

• Reviewed TOP (Top of Production) samples to verify bulk production quality against approved standards.

• Conducted fabric inspections and quality verification before bulk production.

• Performed final garment inspections for critical styles before shipment to ensure workmanship, finishing, and packing compliance.

• Prepared production files for Pre-Production Meetings (PPM) and coordinated with QA/QC teams for inspections.

• Supported QA teams in resolving technical and quality issues during production.

• Prepared fabric quality swatches and a presentation of the new garment collection, and submitted them to the buyer for selection.
• Calculate production costs, including materials, labour, and overhead, to determine product pricing.
• Negotiate prices with suppliers and vendors to meet target cost margins while maintaining quality standards.
• Oversee the creation of prototypes and samples, ensuring they align with design intent and technical specifications.
• Develop and manage product specifications, including materials, trims, colors, and construction details.
• Maintain detailed records of product development processes, including specifications, costings, and sample evaluations.
• Review samples and provide feedback for revisions, ensuring that the final product meets design, fit, and quality standards.
• Manage the fitting process, adjusting patterns and construction as necessary.
• Working for Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof and Pepe Jeans.

• Manage customer accounts for GBG.
• Arrange fit samples, pre-production (PP) samples, and top-of-production (TOP) samples based on buyer feedback and Techpack specifications.
• Update all style requirements (fabric and trims) in the ERP software for arrangement.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) and discuss updates with the buying agency and senior management.
• Coordinate with all departments, including Sampling, Pattern, Cutting, Washing, Ironing, and Quality.
• Send fabric for Fabric Performance Testing (FPT) and Garment Performance Testing (GPT) to the lab.
• Submit bulk fabric and bulk lot samples to the agency for approval.

• Manage accounts for Galeria Karstadt, HBC, Ahlen's, Aeropostale, and Nautica in the Apparels, Leather, and Shoes Departments.
• Download and upload Techpack, Buyer Calendars, WIP reports, Cost Logs, and FSIS documents on the buyer portal (Trade Stone & PLM).
• Follow up with vendors regarding the Buyer Calendar submissions, including fabric quality, lab dips, strike-offs, handloom samples, proto samples, and fit samples.
• Update Purchase Orders (PO) on the LF portal to maintain accurate records and monitor Production Timelines and Action (T&A).
• Review all submissions, discuss comments with senior management, and send them to the customer for approval.
• Send courier details to the customer and follow up to ensure timely approval.
• Forward all buyer comments to vendors and ensure compliance with the received feedback.
• Update all order details on the LF portal.
• Prepare and hand over QC files and style files to the QC and Production teams.
• Update the weekly chart and share it with senior management.