Costing Manager

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Costing Manager to manage product costing, vendor coordination, commercial negotiations, and cost optimisation for our fashion and apparel business.

The candidate will work closely with the Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing, Finance, and Vendor teams to ensure accurate product costing, competitive pricing, and effective cost management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end costing activities for fashion and apparel products.
• Prepare and analyse product costing based on fabric, trims, accessories, labour, processing, packaging, logistics, and other relevant cost components.
• Coordinate with vendors and manufacturers for quotations, costing, and commercial discussions.
• Negotiate product costs and commercial terms with vendors.
• Review and compare vendor quotations to ensure competitive pricing.
• Work with Buyers and Merchandisers on target costing and product price finalisation.
• Conduct vendor price benchmarking and cost comparisons.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and optimisation without compromising product quality.
• Monitor changes in raw material, labour, processing, and other cost components.
• Maintain accurate costing sheets, vendor quotations, negotiated prices, and approved costs.
• Coordinate with Finance and internal stakeholders for costing validation and approvals.
• Prepare costing reports and MIS for management review.
• Support vendor evaluation and selection from a commercial and costing perspective.
• Ensure timely completion of costing activities as per business requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of apparel and fashion product costing.
• Good understanding of fabrics, trims, accessories, manufacturing, processing, and labour costs.
• Strong vendor negotiation and commercial skills.
• Good understanding of retail margins and cost structures.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and costing-related tools.
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively under tight timelines.

Qualification

• Graduate/Postgraduate in Fashion, Textile, Apparel, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Business Management, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in fashion retail, apparel manufacturing, sourcing companies, or buying houses will be preferred.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in fashion/apparel retail, buying and merchandising, sourcing, vendor management, or garment manufacturing costing will be preferred.