Salary: USD 60000.00 - 95000.00 annually

Category: Artist/Label Services

A to Z Media is looking for a Merchandise Manager focusing on Promotional Merchandise & Apparel. The Merchandise Manager co-leads the merchandise department and is responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing merchandise options and programs for a roster of clients.
This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on team leadership to drive revenue, ensure timely execution, and maintain brand alignment across all merchandise touchpoints—from design to delivery.
The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of music culture and operations, with strong leadership capabilities to manage a high-performing, creative, and logistics-driven team. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, takes proactive steps to move projects forward and is collaborative in nature. The candidate must have a ‘can do’ attitude with an inherent ability to hustle and desire to grow and strengthen the department.
What You’ll Do
• Work within and grow a high-performing merch team
• Oversee product development, sourcing, and fulfillment for clients including their tours, e-commerce, and pop-ups
• Collaborate with artists, managers, and creatives on product vision
• Own department KPIs—sales, margins, etc.
• Manage vendor relationships and production timelines
• Work cross-functionally with internal and external teams
• Analyze vendor and department performance
Management Responsibilities
• Lead merchandise strategy and execution for the department, which can include product for tour merch, online stores, and exclusive releases
• Collaborate with our sales team, clients, artists, managers, designers, and licensing teams to create compelling and authentic merchandise collections
• Oversee product development, from concept and design approvals to sourcing and production timelines
• Develop pricing strategies and promotional plans to maximize sales and profit margins
• SOP creation and development for all product lines
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships. Negotiate with vendors and manufacturers on cost, quality, and delivery terms
• Analyze customer feedback and sales data to identify opportunities for improvement
• Coordinate internally with our Social Media Department to support promotions, product launches, and seasonal campaigns. Lead, coach, and develop a team.
Department & Team Management
• Co-Manage day-to-day operations of the merchandise department, including buying, production, logistics, and creative development
• Assist in developing a team that may include Sourcing, Production, Art, Logistics
• Work in setting department goals, monitor KPIs (sales, margin), and ensure alignment with overall company and client objectives
• Foster a collaborative and deadline-driven environment with a balance of creativity and operational discipline
• Oversee hiring, performance reviews, and professional development plans within the department
Merchandise Strategy & Execution
• In tandem with Sales and Clients, develop and execute merchandising strategies for tours, online stores, pop-ups, and retail partners as requested
• Collaborate with clients including artists, managers, and creative teams to translate brand vision into marketable product lines
• Oversee product lifecycle starting with concepting, design approval, sourcing, production, and delivery
• Ensure the merch team adheres to timelines for tour launches, drops, and retail campaigns
• Manage relationships with external vendors, printers, and fulfillment partners
• Serve as a key liaison between merch and other internal departments including accounting and logistics departments
• Provide strategic input for tour routing, pop-up locations, and artist campaigns based on merchandising potential
• Develop relationships with potential new clients and vendors 
Day to Day Task Management
• Record actions in our custom database – milestones, notes and shipping must be 100% updated/accurate at all times
• Work closely with all stakeholders to confirm orders are 100% correct and reflective of client expectations. This may include sourcing support on various projects.
• Confirm timelines with clients at inception of each project to ensure all are on the same page as to expectations and delivery requirements
• Lead all communication with our global vendor network to secure proofs, samples, timelines and shipping methods
• Issue purchase orders to all vendors while ensuring every PO is 100% accurate
• Confirm receipt of POs and check vendor schedules and portals for completion dates
• Work with internal art department trafficking jobs through design and proofing stage and liaising with clients to confirm all art is correct, approved, and uploaded
• Traffic all pieces through print, manufacture and into final delivery points. Confirm projects are hitting timeline targets throughout the production process.
• Communicate (phone, email, Zoom, Slack) on a regular basis with clients as to the status of the job, being proactive as opposed to reactive
• Consider client perspective as jobs progress through to completion
• Monitor all samples for quality issues. Alert all teams involved when issues arise and/or send samples to clients as required
• Maintain an accurate production schedule and generate weekly status reports
• Oversee the creation of internal pitch decks, showcasing new products we’ve produced each month
• Proactively review tracking, shipping notices, and pack slips to ensure product is shipping and received
• Immediately respond to client claims and follow procedures to correct any issues that arise in the production and delivery process
• Once the order is complete, create and issue invoice(s) to the client and ensure that all billable parts are included. Liaise with in-house sales personnel as and when necessary
• Facilitate VAT billing as well as domestic sales tax when invoicing clients
• Liaise with warehouse to coordinate shipments, picks ups, inventory and reworks as required
• Other tasks and duties as requested or assigned
Qualifications
• 5 years of relevant senior level experience in negotiations, vendor management, pricing, promotion, and merchandise brand management with a proven track record of delivering results
• Relevant experience working in an apparel, fashion, or merch business
• Experience driving internal cross-team collaboration
• Experience working with creative directors, and manufacturers, to create new products
• High threshold for working in an ambiguous, fast paced environment – figuring it out and adapting as you go
• Comfortable with ''hands-on'' management of tasks, and proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously
• Exceptional communication skills - speaking, writing, presenting and negotiating – across both business and creative audiences
Skill Set
• Proactive problem solving
• Strategic thinking and adaptability
• Leadership and team development
• Customer and market focus
• Attention to detail and follow-through
• Passion for music and artist branding
• Creative eye for product and design
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Relationship-building and communication
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, artist-driven environment