Merchandising Manager

Merchandising Operations ManagerSeattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC are united as one soccer family, driven by a shared commitment to excellence, growth, and impact on and off the pitch. Each club has independently forged a rich history of performance while connecting deeply with the community. Our clubs are continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible while fostering an inclusive culture- championing causes and building community connections to expand our reach and impact. Each match is an opportunity to bring together our community, celebrating our resilience, inclusivity, and a commitment to excellence. United in professional dedication- we are two clubs with one shared vision of progress and greatness.The Merchandising Operations Manager will lead merchandising and consumer product operations for Seattle Reign FC, driving organization, execution, and cross-functional alignment across merchandise initiatives and retail experiences. This role serves as the operational owner for merchandise planning, launch timelines, vendor coordination, and retail execution, ensuring teams remain aligned on key deliverables and business priorities.This role will partner closely with the VP, Consumer Products to support go-to-market planning and execution across merchandise initiatives, including Shopify/e-commerce, matchday retail, and pop-up experiences. This individual will help translate strategic priorities into operational plans, ensuring launches, campaigns, and retail experiences are executed effectively and consistently across fan touchpoints.This role will also partner with the VP, Consumer Products to shape and execute visual merchandising direction across digital and physical retail environments, ensuring merchandise presentation and storytelling align with brand objectives and create compelling fan experiences.As a business owner, this individual will partner across teams to create scalable processes, improve operational efficiency, and drive business performance. This role will bring a forward-thinking mindset toward innovation and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities to leverage tools, automation, and AI-enabled solutions to improve workflows, support decision-making, enhance fan experiences, and scale consumer product operations.This role is ideal for an experienced merchandising professional who brings structure to fast-moving environments and can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, with opportunities to expand into broader product ownership over time.Essential duties and responsibilities include:Own merchandising calendars, launch schedules, and key business milestones across consumer product initiativesEstablish and improve scalable merchandise processes and workflows that support repeatable executionDrive operational organization across teams to ensure alignment on deliverables and launch readinessSupport budgeting, forecasting, and financial tracking for consumer product initiativesAnalyze business performance and provide insights and recommendations to improve revenue and operational effectivenessIdentify opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency across merchandising operationsEvaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and AI-enabled solutions that improve operational efficiency, workflow management, reporting, and decision-making across consumer productsLead cross-functional initiatives and GTM activations involving Marketing, Design, Fan Engagement, Retail, and Impact teamsDrive alignment across stakeholders on priorities, timelines, and execution plansEnsure key dates, launch milestones, and deliverables remain visible and on track across teamsIdentify risks and proactively resolve roadblocks impacting merchandise initiativesPartner with Consumer Products leadership on merchandise assortment planning, product launches, and seasonal activationsConduct market and consumer analysis to inform product decisions and pricing strategiesOversee product setup across e-commerce and retail systems, including pricing, barcoding, SKU management, and POS alignmentPartner with the VP of Consumer Products to establish and execute visual merchandising direction across e-commerce, matchday retail, and pop-up environmentsEnsure merchandise presentation, product placement, and storytelling align with brand strategy and fan experience objectivesEvaluate product performance and provide recommendations for future assortment and merchandising opportunitiesPartner with the VP of Consumer Products to execute go-to-market strategies across merchandise initiatives and launchesSupport execution across Shopify/e-commerce, matchday retail, and pop-up experiences to ensure a consistent and elevated fan experienceTranslate strategic priorities into actionable timelines, workflows, and cross-functional deliverablesCoordinate launch readiness across stakeholders to ensure successful execution of campaigns and retail activationsPartner with Marketing and Creative teams to support digital campaigns, product storytelling, and fan engagement initiativesSupport and optimize the end-to-end fan shopping experience across digital and physical retail channelsMonitor and evaluate key performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and fan experienceExplore innovative approaches and emerging technologies that enhance merchandise storytelling, customer engagement, personalization, and digital shopping experiencesEstablish SOPs and leverage insights and fan feedback to continuously improve execution and processesManage vendor, collaborator, and partner relationships, including purchase orders and service agreementsEvaluate partner performance against KPIs and proactively resolve operational issuesMentor and develop retail support staff and coordinatorsFoster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team cultureSupport ongoing coaching and professional development opportunitiesQualifications include:Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or related field preferredDemonstrated experience in merchandising, retail operations, consumer products, or related functions within a fast-paced, commercially driven environmentHands-on experience with apparel buying, assortment planning, and/or merchandise planning preferredProven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and GTM processesDeep experience with Shopify or similar e-commerce platforms, including site merchandising, promotions, reporting, and performance analyticsStrong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneouslyStrong analytical mindset with experience translating data into business decisions and action plansExcellent communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skillsStrong organizational skills with the ability to bring structure and process to evolving environmentsDemonstrates curiosity and a forward-thinking approach toward emerging technologies, AI applications, and evolving consumer and retail trends, with an interest in applying new tools to improve business outcomesLeadership experience with an interest in mentoring and developing team membersCreative, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating exceptional fan and consumer experiencesCommitted to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and to living organizational values and the to the organizational mission: Create Moments, Enrich Lives, and Unify & Uplift Through Soccer, in all interactions with colleagues, partners, vendors, and fans.Strong interest in women's sports and soccer preferredWork environment includes:Regular in-person presence required at the club's Renton training facility and Lumen Field, with attendance at home matches and key events as part of the role.Employee must reside within Washington state upon hire date.Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for matches and events.Must be able to facilitate own local travel.Must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship.Responsibilities may require standing on feet for long periods of time, as well as lifting up to 20 pounds.Compensation, benefits, and perks include:Competitive compensationComprehensive healthcare coverageGenerous paid time off & leaveRetirement planning supportInclusive parental leavePeace of mind coverageExclusive perksContinuous growth opportunitiesCommunity engagementOur commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion includes:Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplaceCelebrating our diverse work environmentEncouraging team members of all backgrounds and perspectives to applyProviding accommodations in the application or interview process