Merchandising Manager, Retail Marketing

Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $125,000.00 Annually MGA Entertainment is on a mission to inspire imagination and creativity through innovative toys, entertainment, and experiences that transform play into limitless possibilities. As the largest privately held toy and entertainment company in the U.S., MGA is a global leader in designing and delivering world‑class consumer products that spark wonder and drive play forward. Position Summary The Merchandising Manager is responsible for the strategic development, integration, and execution of point‑of‑purchase (POP) merchandising programs, retail advertising initiatives, planogram standards, and trade show operations in support of global sales and business objectives. This role is a process leader without direct reports . The Manager is accountable for project execution, deadline adherence, global cross‑functional coordination (including communication with China and other international partners), budget management, and flawless attention to detail. Success in this role requires exceptional time management, structured project tracking, high accuracy standards, and proactive vendor and stakeholder management. Position Requirements Develop and execute cost‑effective POP merchandising programs across all product categories. Create and manage merchandising timelines aligned to product launches, seasonal resets, and customer initiatives. Ensure all deliverables meet brand, cost, and timeline standards. Drive continuous improvement in merchandising processes and documentation. Planogram Development & Standards Lead planogram strategy in collaboration with Sales and Marketing. Develop and maintain planogram standards for key accounts. Ensure accuracy of product placement, dimensions, packaging configuration, and compliance requirements. Conduct audits and corrections as necessary. Global Cross‑Functional Coordination Serve as primary merchandising liaison between: U.S. Marketing Sales Graphics Operations Sourcing and manufacturing partners Provide clear written specifications to international partners. Confirm timelines, proof accuracy, and ensure alignment across time zones. Brief, manage, and evaluate outside vendors. Develop and secure approvals on project spend intent. Ensure projects are delivered within approved cost parameters. Identify cost‑saving opportunities without sacrificing quality. Maintain structured project management tools for all active initiatives. Track milestones, elevate risks early, and prevent bottlenecks. Deliver 90%+ of assignments on or before deadline. Provide weekly status reporting when required. Performance Expectations On‑time completion of deliverables Accuracy and attention to detail Budget adherence Responsiveness to global partners Professional ownership and follow‑through Responsibilities Own the Portfolio Lead a large, fast‑paced pipeline of retailer‑exclusive packaging and item changes, keeping timelines, approvals, and deliverables on track across many concurrent SKUs. Manage select exclusive programs from approved concept through production readiness and launch. Establish clear plans, milestones, and operating cadences that bring structure and predictability to the work. Drive Cross‑Functional Alignment Act as the central point of coordination across Retail Marketing, Product Development, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Packaging, Creative, and Manufacturing. Translate retailer needs into clear briefs and actionable plans that teams can execute with confidence. Surface risks and trade‑offs early to keep programs moving forward. Bring Products to Life Guide artwork development, packaging reviews, proofing, and approvals through final print readiness. Maintain strong version control and disciplined change management to avoid last‑minute surprises. Partner closely with packaging, sourcing, and vendor teams to ensure specifications are accurate and production‑ready. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Design, or related field. 7+ years of merchandising, retail marketing, or related experience. Demonstrated success managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Experience working with international teams preferred. High proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Blue Yonder Space Planning planogram software required. Strong written communication skills for global specification clarity. Proven ability to manage workload in high‑volume, deadline‑driven environment. Authority Reports to the VP of Retail Marketing. Work Environment & Physical Requirements The position requires the ability to work at a desk for extended periods, use standard office equipment, and communicate effectively with internal and external partners. Specific vision abilities include the ability to read and analyze data in hard copy and on a computer screen, measure or identify using eyesight and adjust vision focus. Abilities to communicate verbally and in writing to individuals and groups. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required. MGA Entertainment provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mga-Entertainment,-Inc.