Manager, Merch

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

As a Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising, you will be responsible for collaborating with our in-venue retail partners on marketing, promotions, venue exclusives and local product opportunities.

This is a remote role covering our North territory (CST Operating Hours) regional candidates preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate merchandise strategy between Fanatics and team partners. Includes, but not limited to:

o New product launches

o Seasonal Strategies

o Key items

o Item of the Game

o Theme Nights

o Local Collaborations & Capsule Collections

o Team-Steered Initiatives

o Events including hot markets, seasonal activity, promotions.

• Develop and manage promotional calendars for each team partner.

• Meet regularly with team partner contacts to brainstorm, collaborate, plan, execute, and evaluate results.

• Obtain feedback regularly from team partners for pre-book deadlines or new product offerings.

• Develop marketing assets at venue on digital, social, & other platforms for featured items, league & team marketing campaigns, item of the game, and all other promotions.

• Identify trend categories & opportunities. Explore incremental sales opportunities through innovative programs that enhance the fan experience.

• Responsible for all facets of a local product assortment, using merchandise data to inform strategies and decisions.

• Partner closely with Buying & Planning to determine financial plans, projections, and maintain open-to-buy.

• Review inventory, maintaining current data on sales and fashion trend.

• Negotiate with vendors relative to product cost, terms, and issues.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Passion for sports and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

• Bachelor's degree required

• 5+ years of licensed sports experience or team partner management required

• Sports marketing or retail marketing experience encouraged

• Business and financial savvy

• Strong strategic ability

• Strong written communication skills

• Outstanding verbal communication skills with the ability to influence

• Exhibits high standards and accountability; takes pride in accuracy

• Readily grasps numerical concepts and interprets financial information accurately

• Ability to utilize retail math skills to analyze and drive business

• High aptitude; processes information quickly

• Ability to offer solutions to challenges

• Ability to successfully collaborate with internal and external partners

• Seeks to be the leader, wants to be in a position of influence

• Result-oriented and self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency

• Curious about complex issues or opportunities - ability to view things in new ways or from a different perspective

• Able to independently organize and prioritize broad workload to meet deadlines

• Strong computer skills (intermediate Excel skills necessary)

• Some travel may be required

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. The company ignites the passions of global sports fans and maximizes the presence and reach for hundreds of sports partners globally by offering innovative products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans, a global partner network with over 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, teams, players associations, athletes, celebrities, colleges, and college conferences, and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail business stores.

As a market leader with more than 18,000 employees, and hundreds of partners, suppliers, and vendors worldwide, we take responsibility for driving toward more ethical and sustainable practices. We are committed to building an inclusive Fanatics community, reflecting and representing society at every level of the business, including our employees, vendors, partners and fans. Fanatics is also dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where we all live, work, and play through strategic philanthropic initiatives.

About the Team

Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally - as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world-including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

---