MERCHANDISING MANAGER – European Buying Office Luxury Garment Fashion Designer Brand (Lai Chi Kok)

Company Overview

• We are a European high-end fashion designer brand, renowned for its distinctive aesthetic, superior craftsmanship, and premium quality across both menswear and ladieswear collections.

• The brand has an established Hong Kong office, which operates as a regional sourcing office and is now taking over full responsibility for merchandising, product development, and production activities previously managed directly by the European headquarters.

• This strategic shift includes transitioning production from EU-based factories to carefully selected vendor factories in China and Southeast Asia, while maintaining the brand's exacting standards for quality and design integrity.

Role Mission

• To lead the end-to-end merchandising and product development function for the brand from the Hong Kong office, driving the transfer of production from Europe to high-quality vendor factories in China and Southeast Asia, and ensuring seamless continuity in product quality, timing, and commercial performance.

Role Summary

• We are seeking an experienced and highly independent Merchandising Manager to take ownership of the brand's merchandising function in Hong Kong. Initially operating as a one-person team, this role will later evolve into leading a small, high-performing team as the Asia-based operation expands.

• Reporting to the Operations Director of the Hong Kong office and functionally to the Fashion Designer at the European HQ, you will manage the full range of fashion categories—including woven, knit, sweater, and denim—from concept and development through to bulk production and delivery.

• This position is ideal for a seasoned merchandising professional with strong product development expertise, an established network of high-end vendor factories in China and Southeast Asia, and a proven track record of successfully managing production for luxury or premium fashion brands.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end product development process for woven, knit, sweater, denim, and related categories, from initial sampling to bulk production.

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new supplier factories in China and Southeast Asia with proven capability to produce for high-end and luxury fashion brands.

• Lead the strategic transfer of production previously managed by EU factories to selected Asian vendors, ensuring seamless transition, quality consistency, and on-time delivery.

• Source raw materials, trims, and components that meet the brand's quality, aesthetic, and sustainability standards.

• Lead comprehensive costing exercises, including raw material sourcing, factory cost breakdowns, and competitive pricing benchmarks to meet margin targets.

• Negotiate effectively with suppliers to optimise cost structures while safeguarding quality and brand positioning.

• Prepare and present data-driven costing analyses, sourcing strategies, and vendor performance reports to senior management and European HQ.

• Ensure vendor compliance with local labour laws, international social compliance standards, and environmental regulations.

• Oversee product testing to meet international quality and brand standards; manage test reports and resolve any failures with suppliers in a timely manner.

• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key vendor partners.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Hong Kong office and European HQ, providing regular updates on development status, costing, production timelines, and risk assessments.

• Collaborate closely with the HQ Fashion Designer and HQ team to align commercial viability with creative vision and product specifications.

• Work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, including operations, logistics, and quality teams, to ensure smooth execution from development to delivery.

• Initially operate as a one-person team, with the potential to build and lead a small, dedicated merchandising team.

Ideal Candidate

• Minimum 15 years of merchandising experience in the garment industry, with a strong focus on high-end or luxury fashion brands.

• Experience working with European fashion brands is highly preferred.

• Proven experience sourcing and managing vendor factories in China and Southeast Asia for premium menswear and ladieswear collections.

• Demonstrated success in managing or supporting production transitions from Europe to Asia while maintaining brand quality and design integrity.

• Strong expertise in product development, with deep technical knowledge of fabrics, trims, garment construction, and manufacturing processes across woven, knit, sweater, and denim categories.

• Excellent commercial acumen, with a track record of cost negotiation, margin optimisation, and value engineering.

• Established network of high-end vendor factories and suppliers in Asian manufacturing hubs.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Mandarin; additional European languages are a plus.

• Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills, able to work autonomously with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

• Willingness to travel regionally for vendor visits, factory audits, and production meetings (some international travel to Europe may also be required).

Terms & Benefits

• 5-day work week.

• 13 months' salary plus performance-based bonus.

• 16 days' annual leave.

• Medical insurance coverage.

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JPC Recruiting Services was established in 1990 and is a Hong Kong–based recruitment firm providing general recruitment and executive search services.
JPC Recruiting Services 於 1990 年成立，是一家總部設於香港的專業招聘公司，提供招聘及獵頭服務。

All personal data collected from job applicants will be used strictly for recruitment purposes only. Your privacy is fully protected, and your personal information will not be disclosed, leased, or sold to any third party.
本公司所收集的求職者個人資料僅作招聘用途。閣下的私隱將獲得嚴格保障，個人資料絕不會被披露、出租或出售予任何第三方。