Merchandising Manager

The Merchandising Manager is responsible for the leadership of a team in Entertainment Earth's Merchandising Department. Reporting to the VP of Merchandising, this role is accountable for buying calendar execution, team performance, cross-functional coordination, and day-to-day operational efficiency. In addition to team leadership, this role serves as the lead buyer for a defined portfolio of assigned vendors, maintaining those relationships and driving commercial outcomes within that scope. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Performance Management — Primary Function Manage day-to-day performance of team; set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and hold team members accountable for outcomes Conduct regular 1:1s, provide ongoing coaching, and deliver formal performance evaluations Partner with VP of Merchandising and HR on hiring, onboarding, and team development planning Serve as the first point of escalation for team questions, interpersonal issues, and priority conflicts; loop in VP and HR as warranted Foster a collaborative, accountable team environment that supports both individual development and collective execution Buying Operations & Planning Coordination Own the buying calendar; ensure planning milestones, product launches, and vendor deliverables are completed on schedule Serve as the primary communication channel between team and internal departments — consolidating outbound information so it comes from one source Monitor open purchase orders and ensure the team is operating within approved budgets Partner with VP on assortment strategy, line reviews, and product lifecycle decisions Ensure product information, pricing, imagery, and merchandising content are accurate, complete, and published on time Conduct timely communication of product updates, pricing adjustments, and other critical information to internal stakeholders Cross-Functional Coordination Own the handoff protocol between Merchandising and PO Operations — ensure PO information is complete, accurate, and delivered on time Coordinate with Marketing and Sales on product launches, promotional campaigns, and catalog updates Partner with PO Operations and Traffic on inbound order visibility and exception management Collaborate with Finance on forecasting inputs and inventory planning Serve as a key liaison between Merchandising leadership and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities and execution Serve as lead buyer for an assigned portfolio of vendors; own the overall business relationship and drive sales, profitability, and long-term growth within that portfolio Negotiate pricing, promotional opportunities, and exclusives within the assigned portfolio Stay current on industry trends, competitor activity, licensing developments, and emerging product opportunities Reporting & Systems Maintain and distribute buying team reporting including sales performance, vendor scorecards, and category metrics Ensure team proficiency and compliance in ERP systems; serve as Merchandising subject-matter lead for the NetSuite implementation (April 2027 go-live) Drive continuous improvement of merchandising processes, systems, and workflows Identify and elevate process gaps or system issues that affect buying accuracy or efficiency Qualifications Required 5+ years of experience in retail buying, merchandising, or category management 2+ years in a people management or team leadership role Demonstrated ability to manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously Strong vendor relationship and negotiation skills Proficiency in Excel and data-driven decision making Experience with ERP or inventory management systems Preferred Experience in licensed products, collectibles, toys, or consumer entertainment Familiarity with NetSuite Experience managing buyers in a wholesale or DTC environment Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience People leadership. Builds trust, develops talent, and holds team accountable with consistency and fairness. Operational discipline. Manages timelines, process, and detail without losing sight of the strategic picture. Cross-functional communication. Communicates clearly across teams and escalates proactively. Commercial instinct. Understands what sells, what doesn't, and why — and coaches the team accordingly. Adaptability. Operates effectively in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities. #J-18808-Ljbffr Entertainment Earth