Manager, Merchandising Operations

Are you ready to shape the future of product delivery for a globally recognized lifestyle brand? We're seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our client's team, in partnership with Aquent, as a Merchandising Operations professional. This is your chance to drive operational excellence, streamline critical workflows, and ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies that resonate with a global audience. You'll be at the heart of bringing exciting new products to market, influencing processes, and empowering cross-functional teams to achieve their best. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about continuous progression, your impact here will be immediate and far-reaching.

**About Our Client**

Our client is a globally recognized lifestyle brand known for its authentic spirit and commitment to progression. They inspire and empower individuals to embrace a youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. This organization believes in constantly pushing boundaries and evolving alongside its global community, always seeking to drive culture forward. They foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity, where every team member is valued and encouraged to thrive.

**The Opportunity**

As a key player in Merchandising Operations, you will report directly to a senior merchandising leader and be instrumental in driving operational efficiency across product and merchandising workflows. You will align cross-functional and cross-regional teams, ensuring operational excellence and enabling the seamless execution of merchandising strategies. This role is critical for delivering market-ready products, optimizing processes, and maintaining robust data management to support seasonal execution. You will lead the charge in refining existing operations and implementing new solutions that enhance overall business performance and contribute directly to the brand's success.

**What You'll Do**

* **Project Management Excellence:** Manage the regional product and merchandising calendar, aligning cross-functional timelines, and adapting as needed. Track milestone progress, proactively manage bottlenecks, create contingency plans, and solve operational challenges.

* **Promotion Strategy & Execution:** Project manage yearly promotional strategies and oversee data management, ensuring accuracy within all promotional systems. Collaborate with cross-functional partners on promotion execution.

* **Data-Driven Insights:** Provide product reporting and analytics to inform data-driven decision-making for seasonal execution.

* **Process Optimization:** Identify process gaps and implement solutions to streamline workflows. Collaborate with regional merchandising leadership to align operational priorities with overarching merchandising strategies, continuously refining standardized company practices.

* **Operational Strategy & Execution:** Lead the development and execution of regional merchandising operations strategies, aligning with corporate goals and regional needs. Establish and standardize processes for merchandise lifecycle management, including assortment planning, pricing, markdowns, promotions, and product flow. Implement tools, systems, and best practices to improve operational efficiency and streamline workflows.

* **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** Partner with global and regional merchandising, supply chain, sales, planning, and go-to-market teams to ensure alignment on merchandising priorities and timelines. Act as the primary liaison between merchandising and cross-functional operations teams to drive seamless execution of seasonal transitions and support the integration of omnichannel initiatives.

* **Technology & Systems Management:** Oversee the implementation and maintenance of merchandising systems, ensuring functionality aligns with business needs. Collaborate with internal technology partners and external vendors to evaluate and deploy new tools and technology solutions, providing training and support to regional teams on merchandising systems and processes.

**What You'll Bring**

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* 7+ years of experience and professional achievements in merchandising operations, retail operations, or related roles, with experience in a leadership position.

* Strong understanding of merchandising processes, including product lifecycle management, go-to-market strategies, assortment planning, and pricing.

* Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with experience working across diverse markets and cultures.

* Proven project management expertise, including managing calendars, timelines, and key deliverables.

* Demonstrated operational excellence, with expertise in managing complex workflows and identifying process improvements.

* Experience in data accuracy and governance, including strong data integrity and advanced Excel expertise.

* Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

* A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* Experience in omnichannel or digital retail operations.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.