NIFT Fashion Buying & Merchandising Specialist

NISHTHA PANWAR NIFT Design Buying & Merchandising Product Development Brand Management Indore Professional Summary Fashion Management postgraduate from NIFT with hands-on experience in Design, buying, merchandising, sample development, product development, range planning, vendor sourcing and retail operations. Worked with export merchandising teams serving international buyers and contributed to category launches, trend analysis and sales-driven product decisions. Entrepreneurial experience through managing operations for a family fashion business. Professional Experience Vilayti Baisa Business Manager, Buyer & Designer 2017–2023 • Managed buying, merchandising and day-to-day business operations for a growing fashion label specializing in ethnic wear. • Coordinated with 20+ artisans, suppliers and production partners to ensure timely sourcing, production and deliveries. • Planned seasonal collections by analysing customer demand, festive calendars and sales trends, improving assortment planning. • Managed inventory, customer orders, pricing and vendor negotiations while maintaining product quality and profitability. • Assisted in social media marketing, customer engagement and exhibition planning, contributing to increased brand visibility. • Oversaw end-to-end product development, from fabric sourcing and design approvals to production and final merchandising. Joker & Witch Buying & Merchandising Intern Jan–Apr 2025 • Led market research across 30+ competing brands to identify pricing, category gaps and emerging fashion trends for product development. • Analysed 6 months of sales data to identify fast-moving products, slow sellers and assortment opportunities that informed future buying decisions. • Contributed to the launch strategy for the new bags’ category, assisting in range planning, assortment building and product selection. • Identified and evaluated 45+ potential manufacturers and vendors, comparing MOQ, pricing, production capability and quality standards. • Prepared product comparison sheets, assortment plans and buying recommendations for internal review. Teejh Buying & Merchandising Intern Jan–Apr 2025 • Conducted trend forecasting and consumer research for handcrafted jewellery and ethnic accessories. • Evaluated seasonal demand, pricing strategy and competitor assortments to support buying decisions. • Assisted in vendor sourcing and product development for upcoming collections. • Created merchandising reports that supported range planning and inventory decisions. • Collaborated with design and buying teams to align new product development with brand positioning. Impulse International Pvt. Ltd. Merchandising & Product Development Intern Jun -July 2024 • Coordinated the development of 50+ apparel samples for international buyers, ensuring adherence to buyer specifications, quality standards and development timelines. • Collaborated with merchandising, sourcing and design teams on fabric selection, GSM approvals, trims, lap dips and strike-offs throughout the product development cycle. • Developed and organized a 300+ page fabric swatch library, later used by the merchandising team during buyer presentations and sourcing discussions. • Assisted in buyer communication by preparing development updates, sample documentation and approval records, reducing delays in the sampling process. • Worked with export merchandising teams serving global retailers including Coupang, Musinsa, Walmart and Target, gaining exposure to international sourcing and compliance processes. Core Skills Buying • Merchandising • Product Development• Design • Tech pack • illustration • Surface embroidery • fashion design • Range Planning • Trend Forecasting • Vendor Management • Sample Development • Sales Analysis • Fabric Knowledge • Inventory Management • Excel • Adobe Illustrator • Canva • PowerPoint • Photoshop • CAD • Costing Education • Master of Fashion Management (International Business), NIFT Bhopal (2023–2025) • Bachelor of Business Administration, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (2020–2023) • Kendriya Vidhyalaya No.1 Indore (10+2) Projects • Chikankari Craft Cluster Business Model • Research: Fashion's Impact on Wellbeing • Fashion show collection planning