PRODUCTION MANAGER AT MERCHGIRLS

Hi Cathy! So tell us, what is your role at Merchgirls and how long have you been with the team? 
I started in March 2020 as Production Manager to work mainly with Pippa who had been running the production, as well as co-running the business, up until then.
COVID-19 was just starting to become a problem in Australia so after only 2 weeks in the office we all moved to work from home.

We have all faced some challenges since then but overall our Merchgirls team has stayed positive and strong as well as being a great support to each other. We make sure we celebrate all our successes. It’s been important to keep us all going. 

Our amazing clients have continued to support us and their patience with sometimes delayed freight and deliveries has been greatly appreciated. 

In your role, what does a typical day look like? 
First up checking emails that have come in overnight from our offshore suppliers. Then there’s a lot of following up, making sure all orders are hitting their critical date deadlines and then there’s a lot of problem solving. Did I mention problem solving?

The problem solving could be around communicating the specifics regarding unique custom designs to our suppliers (we build everything from scratch - so each job is different and there is a lot of communication required to make it happen), staying on top of new items in product development, solving issues that may arise mid way through production, checking quality control or working out best cost and time scenarios for freight and logistics.

Sometimes within a week everyday will bring something different, depending on the products we’re working on and have in production, but problem solving for best case outcomes is a lot of what I do.

Pippa and I laugh about how many tabs we have open!

How long have you worked in the industry? 
Put it this way when I started my job as Design Assistant at Exacto Knitwear we were drawing by hand and standing in a queue at the fax machine.

What has been your number one highlight working at Merchgirls? 
I come from a fashion and apparel background so working with so many new and beautiful products has been one of the overall highlights. 

If I had to pinpoint just one, launching Menu 2.0 has been the big highlight.

So much work has been done to get this launched and the response has been gratifying.

What has been your favourite piece of merch?
That’s a hard question and I can't choose just one piece.

I’m saying the complete Inga Felt range and the Bando scarf. And I am also loving the fit and shape of our Mod Squad sweater - it’s a winner. 

If you could work with any client in the world, who would it be? 
I love sport, it’s footy finals time and the AFLW draft is on so I think we could create some amazing Merch for the AFLW teams. Footy merch needs a big shake up. We could do something amazing for the women’s teams.

QUICK ROUND…..

Coffee or tea?
Definitely coffee

Wine or spirits? 
Both

Roller Coasters or Merry-go-rounds? 
Merry-go-rounds 

Tomboy or Girly?
Tomboy - I live in a house full of boys

Tote bag or Water bottle? 
Tote Bag

Thanks Cathy!