Branded Merchandise Product Manager

The Branded Merchandise Product Manager serves as the central bridge between the supply chain and the demand side of the business. This role owns the full product lifecycle — from market intelligence and product ideation through supplier sourcing, supplier data integration enablement, decoration methods optimization, and distributor enablement. This role includes managing the Proforma Online Product Catalog, sourced from supplier partners via multiple integration methods. The ideal candidate combines deep knowledge of decorated apparel and hard goods with a commercial mindset, translating distributor and end-customer demand signals into a curated, profitable product assortment. Curations will include collections such as General Browsing, Online Stores, Print-on-Demand, Holiday Offerings, and Onboarding Kits.

Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management

• Own the branded merchandise product roadmap from concept through discontinuation
• Evaluate market trends, supplier direction, and distributor feedback to identify gaps and opportunities in the product line
• Develop seasonal and annual product collections aligned with Distributor needs for their client base.
• Manage integrated product library through supplier partner integrations with quality verifications of products and data provided, fully enabling highly efficient utilization in integrated stores for Distributors to deploy and manage.
• Manage product transitions, end-of-life decisions, and new product introduction timelines
• Manage specialty curations for seasonal or functional focus, as well as the critical Print-on-Demand online fully integrated collection, working with key supplier partners.

Decoration Management

• Develop deep working knowledge of all major decoration methods and maintain current awareness of technique capabilities, limitations, cost structures, and quality standards for all Print-on-Demand curated items.
• Decoration methods include, but are not limited to:

Decoration Method & Key Competencies Required

Embroidery: Stitch counts, digitizing specs, and fabric compatibility

Direct to Print (DTG/DTF): Pretreatment requirements, color gamut, substrate limitations, wash fastness, digital specs

Heat Transfer: Transfer types (plastisol, CAD cut, sublimation), application specs, durability, digital specs

Laser: Material compatibility (leather, wood, metal, acrylic), depth and contrast settings, digital specs

Engraving: Substrate requirements, tooling and setup costs, digital specs

• Negotiate and establish quality standards with Print-on-Demand partners
• Participate in supplier QBRs with a focus on Print on Demand performance, quality of data, and digital order rates.

Demand-Side & Distributor Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with distributor partners who sell to end customers
• Conduct regular business reviews with distributors to understand sell-through performance, customer feedback, and emerging demand
• Gather, synthesize, and act on voice-of-customer data from distributor sales teams and end buyers
• Evaluate market segments, vertical opportunities, and customer personas to inform product development priorities
• Develop sales-enablement tools focused on product catalog curations and integration with suppliers for ease of use directly by distributors in presentations, proposals, stores, and websites.

Product Catalog Performance

• Own product line performance, including integrated data, collection category representation, and cost of goods.
• Identify collection opportunities through supplier optimization, decoration standardization, or volume leverage
• Report on product line performance against revenue and sell-through KPIs

Education/Experience:

• 4–7 years of product management, merchandising, or category management experience in branded merchandise, promotional products, decorated apparel, or a closely related industry
• Demonstrated hands-on knowledge of three or more decoration methods (embroidery, DTG, heat transfer, laser, pad printing, engraving)
• Experience managing supplier relationships including negotiation, quality management, and performance reviews
• Familiarity with distributor-driven sales channels and indirect go-to-market models

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Competencies:

• Highly Organized : Meticulous approach to managing multiple, concurrent workstreams.
• Promotional products industry knowledge : Familiarity with ASI, PPAI, or distributor network structures
• Print-On-Demand : Knowledge of print-on-demand platforms
• PLM : Exposure to and knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management
• Strong analytical skills : Experience in Excel, ERP systems, or product management platforms
• Problem Solver : Solid problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Technical Depth : Speaks the language of decorators and suppliers; understands what is and isn't possible across methods without needing to defer every detail question
• Commercial Acumen : Connects product decisions to margin outcomes; thinks like a merchant, not just a project manager
• Distributor Empathy : Understands that distributors are the customer; designs products and programs around their sales motion and end-customer needs
• Structured Thinking : Manages complexity across multiple suppliers, decoration types, and product categories without losing sight of priorities
• Collaborative Influence : Works across sales, operations, and supplier partners without direct authority; drives alignment through credibility and communication
• Communication Skills : Strong interpersonal skills to manage cross-functional teams and external stakeholders, utilizing excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present findings.

Work Environment & Travel:

• Hybrid or fully remote, depending on location. Infrequent travel 2-4 weeks per year. Travel to the Annual Convention and Print-on-Demand partners, depending on business needs.