Here is an example of how the interview could proceed, starting with the three basic questions

you provided and followed by 12 additional questions related to the fashion and merchandising
department, with brief answers based on the context of the ready-made garments (RMG) industry
in Bangladesh.

Basic Questions

1. What is your name?

o My name is Rahman Khan.
2. How old are you?
o I am 28 years old.
3. What is your current profession?
o I am currently working as a merchandiser at a mid-sized garment factory in
Dhaka.

Additional Questions (Fashion & Merchandising Department)

4. Can you explain the role of a merchandiser in the garment industry?

o A merchandiser acts as a bridge between the buyer and the factory, managing the
entire process from product development to production and delivery. The role
involves coordinating with different departments, ensuring quality, and meeting
deadlines.
5. What is your experience with product development?
o I have worked closely with designers and sample makers to develop new products
based on the buyers' requirements. This includes selecting fabrics, ensuring
accurate samples, and making necessary adjustments before bulk production.
6. How do you handle buyer communication?
o I maintain regular communication through emails and meetings to update buyers
on product development, production progress, and any challenges. Clear and
timely communication helps build trust and ensures smooth operations.
7. What strategies do you use to meet tight deadlines in production?
o I ensure proper planning and scheduling, closely monitor production stages, and
maintain buffer time for unexpected delays. I also coordinate with suppliers and
factory teams to avoid bottlenecks.
8. How familiar are you with the compliance requirements of international buyers?
o I am well-versed in the compliance standards such as BSCI, WRAP, and
Accord/Alliance, which are critical for exporting to markets like the EU and the
US. Ensuring social, environmental, and safety standards are a key part of my
role.
9. Can you describe your experience with cost negotiation?
o I have experience negotiating prices with both buyers and suppliers. My goal is to
ensure competitive pricing while maintaining quality and profitability for the
company.
10. How do you manage quality control in production?
  I work with the quality control team to conduct pre-production meetings, monitor
production closely, and conduct quality checks at different stages to ensure products meet
buyers' standards.

11. What experience do you have with supply chain management?

 I manage the entire supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to ensuring timely delivery
of finished goods. I coordinate with suppliers, logistics teams, and warehouse staff to
ensure the smooth flow of materials.

12. How do you handle production issues or delays?

 I identify issues early through regular monitoring, find alternative solutions (like shifting
resources), and communicate promptly with buyers to manage expectations.

13. What is your knowledge of sustainability in the garment industry?

 Sustainability is becoming crucial in the RMG sector. I am familiar with sustainable

practices such as using eco-friendly fabrics, reducing water consumption, and minimizing
waste during production.

14. How do you stay updated with current fashion trends?

 I stay updated by following fashion weeks, online fashion platforms, and market
research. I also track the trends in international markets where my buyers are located.

15. What experience do you have working with international buyers?

 I have worked with buyers from Europe, the US, and Asia. My role included
understanding their specific market requirements and adapting our production processes
to meet their expectations.

16. Can you explain how you handle product sampling?

 I ensure samples are developed accurately as per the tech pack and buyer’s specifications.
I coordinate with the design and production teams to make adjustments based on buyer
feedback and finalize the sample before production.

These questions focus on key areas relevant to the fashion and merchandising department,
helping assess the candidate's skills in product development, buyer communication, quality
control, and knowledge of the RMG industry in Bangladesh.
For the fashion and merchandising department in a Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry in
Bangladesh, here are 12 interview questions along with brief ideal responses tailored to the
context:

1. What do you understand by Ready-Made Garments (RMG) in Bangladesh?

 Answer: The RMG industry is the largest export sector in Bangladesh, contributing
significantly to the country's GDP. It mainly produces mass-manufactured clothing for
international brands, with a focus on low production costs and fast turnaround.

2. Can you explain the role of a merchandiser in the garment industry?

 Answer: A merchandiser acts as a bridge between buyers and the production team,
handling everything from sourcing materials to ensuring the timely delivery of finished
goods. They manage cost negotiations, quality control, and production schedules.

3. What is your experience with product costing and budgeting in

merchandising?

 Answer: In merchandising, costing involves calculating fabric costs, production

expenses, and overheads. I have experience in managing budgets for bulk orders and
maintaining cost efficiency without compromising on quality.

4. How do you manage lead times and ensure timely production?

 Answer: By maintaining clear communication with suppliers, overseeing production

schedules, and using time management tools, I ensure that lead times are met. Flexibility
and contingency planning are key to managing delays.

5. What are the major challenges in the RMG sector in Bangladesh today?

 Answer: The major challenges include compliance with international labor laws,
maintaining quality while reducing costs, and dealing with fluctuating raw material
prices. Sustainability and eco-friendly production are also growing concerns.

6. How do you ensure quality control in the manufacturing process?

 Answer: Quality control is maintained by setting clear quality benchmarks, regular

inspections at different stages of production, and ensuring the entire team understands the
buyer's quality requirements. I also work closely with the quality assurance team.

7. What is your experience with supply chain management in the RMG sector?
  Answer: I have experience managing the supply chain from sourcing raw materials to
delivering finished products. This includes coordinating with suppliers, negotiating lead
times, and ensuring the smooth flow of goods to meet production timelines.

8. How familiar are you with Bangladesh's compliance standards in garment

factories?

 Answer: I am well-versed in compliance standards such as labor rights, worker safety,

and environmental regulations. Ensuring compliance with international standards like
BSCI, SEDEX, and Accord is crucial for maintaining business with global clients.

9. What is your approach to trend forecasting in the fashion industry?

 Answer: I stay updated by analyzing global fashion shows, reviewing trend reports, and
understanding consumer behavior. This helps in predicting upcoming trends, ensuring our
designs align with market demands, and guiding buyers on future collections.

10. How do you handle buyer relationships and negotiations?

 Answer: Building trust with buyers through transparent communication and delivering
on promises is key. I approach negotiations by understanding the buyer's needs,
balancing quality and cost, and finding win-win solutions for both parties.

11. What steps would you take to ensure sustainability in fashion production?

 Answer: Sustainable production involves using eco-friendly fabrics, reducing waste

through efficient cutting techniques, and implementing energy-saving processes in
manufacturing. I also advocate for ethical labor practices.

12. How do you manage inventory and avoid overstock or stockouts?

 Answer: I use inventory management software to monitor stock levels in real-time and
forecast demand accurately. Regular audits, clear production schedules, and
communication with suppliers help prevent stock-related issues.

These questions are designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of the Ready-Made Garments
industry in Bangladesh, their experience, and their ability to adapt to industry trends and
challenges.

1. What is your understanding of the role of an Assistant Merchandiser?

o Answer: An Assistant Merchandiser supports the Merchandiser in coordinating
production, sourcing materials, communicating with buyers, and ensuring timely
 delivery of products. They also monitor quality and maintain relationships with
suppliers.
2. What are the key stages of the garment manufacturing process?
o Answer: The key stages include design and development, pattern making,
sampling, sourcing raw materials, production, quality control, and
shipment/delivery.
3. How familiar are you with Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry?
o Answer: Bangladesh is the second-largest garment exporter globally, with a
significant focus on fast fashion and sustainability. The industry includes large-
scale manufacturing of products such as T-shirts, denim, and outerwear.
4. Can you explain the importance of sourcing in the garment industry?
o Answer: Sourcing is critical to ensure the right materials are obtained at the best
price, in the right quantity, and quality. It directly affects production costs and
timelines, making it an essential part of merchandising.
5. What factors would you consider when selecting a supplier for fabrics or trims?
o Answer: Factors include the supplier’s reliability, quality consistency, price
competitiveness, lead times, and their ability to meet sustainability and
compliance standards.
6. How do you handle tight deadlines in production schedules?
o Answer: Prioritize tasks, communicate effectively with all stakeholders (buyers,
suppliers, production teams), anticipate potential delays, and take proactive
measures like adjusting timelines or fast-tracking specific processes.
7. What steps would you take to ensure quality control throughout the production
process?
o Answer: Regularly inspect raw materials, monitor production closely at every
stage, communicate quality standards to the production team, and perform final
inspections before shipment to ensure compliance with buyer specifications.
8. How do you manage communication with buyers to ensure their requirements are
met?
o Answer: Maintain regular communication through emails, meetings, and reports.
Ensure that all buyer specifications, changes, and expectations are documented
and shared with the production team.
9. Can you describe your experience with production timelines and how you ensure
on-time delivery?
o Answer: By carefully planning production schedules, monitoring progress
closely, ensuring raw materials are available on time, and coordinating efficiently
with all departments to avoid bottlenecks.
10. What is your understanding of sustainability in the fashion industry?
o Answer: Sustainability involves ethical sourcing, reducing waste, using eco-
friendly materials, and ensuring fair labor practices. It’s important in reducing the
environmental impact and meeting consumer demands for ethical fashion.
11. How do you stay updated on the latest fashion trends and market demands?
o Answer: By researching trend reports, attending trade shows, following fashion
media, and staying connected with buyers to understand market shifts and
consumer preferences.
 12. What tools or software are you familiar with for merchandising and inventory
management?
o Answer: Familiar with tools like PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software,
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, Excel for data management, and
inventory tracking tools to monitor stock levels and production timelines.

These questions will help assess the candidate’s technical knowledge, problem-solving skills,
and familiarity with the RMG industry in Bangladesh.

For an interview for the position of Assistant Merchandiser in a garments industry in

Bangladesh, the following 12 questions can be relevant. I've included brief model answers based
on the key functions of the Ready Made Garments (RMG) industry, focusing on areas like
sampling, costing, pre-costing, production, and quality control.

1. Can you explain the process of garment sampling and its importance in the
merchandising role?

Answer: Garment sampling is the process of creating a prototype of the garment based on the
buyer's specifications. It’s important as it ensures the buyer’s expectations are met regarding
design, fabric, and fit. There are different types of samples such as development, fit, size set, and
production samples. This process helps reduce errors in mass production.

2. What do you understand by the term ‘pre-costing’ in merchandising?

Answer: Pre-costing refers to the preliminary calculation of the cost of producing a garment
before an order is confirmed. It includes estimates for fabric, trims, labor, packaging, and
overheads. Pre-costing helps determine the selling price to the buyer and ensures profitability.

3. How do you calculate the cost per garment in an order?

Answer: The cost per garment is calculated by adding the costs of fabric, trims, labor,
overheads, and shipping. Merchandisers need to carefully consider the costs of each component,
including wastage and additional fees, to ensure accuracy and profitability.

4. What is the role of a merchandiser in the production process?

Answer: A merchandiser plays a key role in coordinating between the buyer and the production
team. They are responsible for order execution, following up with sampling, ensuring timely
production, monitoring quality, and ensuring on-time shipment. Merchandisers also troubleshoot
any issues that arise during production.

5. Can you explain the process of material sourcing and how it affects
production?
Answer: Material sourcing involves finding suppliers for fabrics, trims, and accessories that
meet the buyer’s specifications. A merchandiser must ensure that materials are high quality, cost-
effective, and delivered on time. Delays in sourcing can affect the entire production timeline.

6. What are the key components of a bill of materials (BOM) in garment

manufacturing?

Answer: The BOM includes a detailed list of all materials required for a garment, such as fabric,
trims (zippers, buttons), threads, labels, and packaging materials. It ensures that all necessary
items are procured for production and helps in costing and inventory management.

7. What steps would you take to ensure timely delivery of an order?

Answer: To ensure timely delivery, I would create a production timeline, closely monitor all
stages from material procurement to production, coordinate with the production team, and
resolve any issues promptly. Maintaining strong communication with the buyer and suppliers is
also crucial for staying on track.

8. How do you handle quality control during production?

Answer: Quality control involves checking the product at various stages of production. This
includes pre-production checks on raw materials, in-line inspections during production, and final
inspections before shipment. It’s crucial to follow the buyer’s specifications to ensure quality and
avoid rejections or returns.

9. What is the importance of lead time in the fashion and merchandising

industry?

Answer: Lead time refers to the total time taken from order placement to final delivery. It is
crucial in the RMG industry because meeting deadlines is key to maintaining relationships with
buyers. Managing lead time effectively ensures smooth production flow, timely shipments, and
buyer satisfaction.

10. Can you explain the concept of a production timeline and how you would
manage it?

Answer: A production timeline outlines the key milestones in the production process, from
material procurement to sampling, production, quality control, and shipping. Managing it
requires monitoring progress at each stage, solving bottlenecks, and ensuring all tasks are
completed on time to meet delivery deadlines.

11. What is the role of a tech pack in garment production?

Answer: A tech pack is a document provided by the buyer that includes detailed specifications
of the garment, such as fabric types, measurements, trims, and construction methods. It serves as
a guide for the production team and ensures that the final product meets the buyer's expectations.

12. How do you handle communication between buyers and suppliers?

Answer: Communication is key in merchandising. I ensure regular updates with buyers

regarding order progress, address any concerns, and clarify details when needed. With suppliers,
I follow up on material sourcing, quality, and deadlines. Clear, consistent communication helps
avoid misunderstandings and delays.

These questions cover key aspects of the fashion and merchandising role in Bangladesh's RMG
industry, allowing you to assess the candidate's knowledge and practical experience in managing
sampling, costing, and production processes.