MarketPlace Mumbai is a small non-profit, fair-trade organization working with 10 women's cooperatives around Mumbai.
Role Overview
The Product Development Head / Senior Merchandiser will lead the end-to-end development of the seasons' collection - from sourcing, sampling to production handover. This role requires strong commercial understanding, deep knowledge of fabrics and fits, an eye for design, and the ability to manage timelines across multiple internal teams and vendors. You will work closely with the head designer, production team, vendors, and embroidery artisans to ensure each product meets the buyer's expectations.
Key Responsibilities1. Product Development & Merchandising
? Drive the full product development lifecycle.
? Translate design briefs, moodboards, and market trends into development plans.
? Manage proto, sampling, fit approvals, pre-production and photoshoot samples.
? Ensure product feasibility within cost, quality, and timeline constraints.
? Create measurement charts and techpacks for all the merchandised styles for production handover.
? Manage and fulfill paper pattern requirements for the production process.
2. Cross-Functional Coordination
? Work closely with design, sourcing, production, and QA teams to align on requirements.
? Coordinate with vendors, and suppliers for fabric sourcing, trims, wash development, and costing.
? Work with production managers to ensure smooth handover and minimize delays.
3. Costing & Margin Management
? Develop first cost sheets and negotiate with suppliers to achieve target margins.
? Identify opportunities to optimise costs through material choices or production efficiencies while maintaining the quality requirements.
4. Vendor & Supplier Management
? Build and manage vendor relationships for fabrics sourcing.
? Track vendor performance: quality, designs, lead times, pricing, and reliability.
? Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to expand capability and reduce dependency.
5. Quality & Technical Expertise
? Oversee fit, construction, and workmanship standards.
? Ensure compliance to internal quality guidelines and buyer-specific requirements.
? Problem-solve technical issues in pattern-making, construction, shrinkage, wash consistency, handfeel finishes etc.
6. Planning & Timelines
? Create and manage development calendars with clear checkpoints.
? Ensure all samples and developments hit critical deadlines for line reviews and production schedules.
7. Analysis & Reporting
? Maintain development trackers on existing formats and systems.