Senior Merchandiser

About Us:

Twelve is a creative firm specializing in branded merchandise and packaging for some of the world’s most coveted brands. We’re seekingan experienced and proactive Senior Merchandiser -to join our Asia team and play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality products, packaging, and bags that meet our brand and clients’ standards.

The Merchandiser is the end-to-end commercial and operational owner for assigned development and production programs within our Asia Buying Office. This role drives execution across the full product lifecycle-owning vendor strategy, sample governance, production risk management, and on-time, on-quality delivery.

This individual acts as the critical link between Asia-based vendors and global product development and account teams, ensuring alignment on cost, feasibility, quality, and speed.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Ownership & Vendor Strategy

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Asia vendors and global cross-functional teams (Product Development, Account Management, Sourcing).

• Translate product requirements into clear vendor direction, proactively resolving technical and feasibility challenges.

• Own vendor alignment on cost, timelines, and production feasibility; escalate risks early with proposed solutions.

• Partner with Sourcing to expand and optimize the vendor network based on capability, cost, and category needs.

• Collaborate with Compliance on factory risk assessments, including capacity and complexity evaluations.

Sample Governance & Speed to Market

• Own the end-to-end sample process (proto through PPS), ensuring speed, accuracy, and cost control.

• Validate sample costs upfront and ensure alignment with internal teams and vendor agreements.

• Conduct in-region sample reviews to ensure adherence to specifications prior to global shipment-reducing iteration cycles and freight waste.

• Implement and maintain structured sample tracking, tagging, and archiving systems.

• Ensure proper allocation and reconciliation of sample costs upon order conversion.

Production Execution & Risk Management

• Actively manage production timelines, maintaining real-time visibility into status, risks, and dependencies.

• Proactively communicate updates and mitigation plans to cross-functional stakeholders.

• Partner with vendors and internal teams to resolve quality or production issues quickly and effectively.

• Ensure all pre-shipment requirements are met, including final inspections, quality standards, and documentation compliance.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Drive alignment across Product Development, Compliance, Quality, Operations, and Finance at key project milestones.

• Lead production readiness and risk review meetings, ensuring clear accountability and next steps.

• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, holding partners accountable to performance, quality, and timelines.

• Support Finance in tracking sample costs, freight, duties, and related expenses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Management, or related field.

• 5+ years of merchandising experience with strong exposure to product development and production in Asia.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders and timelines.

• Strong understanding of U.S. and European product safety and packaging standards.

• Experience in beauty, mass retail, or consumer goods categories preferred.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel).

• Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel within China as needed.

This role will be based out of our Hong Kong office OR Shenzen office.