Merchandising Manager

BSN SPORTS, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE RECOGNIZED LEADER IN TEAM ATHLETIC GEAR

For over 50 years, BSN SPORTS has been the largest team sporting goods equipment and apparel distributor of choice in the United States. Our 3,000 BSN SPORTS employees strive to support the Heart of the Game by putting valuable time back into the day of coaches and administrators through excellent service platforms. Our company mission is simple: Save coaches and administrators time with everything they do off the field so they have more time to impact young lives on it.

WORK TYPE Hybrid

LOCATION DETAILS14460 Varsity Brands Way, Farmers Branch, TX 75244

WORK HOURS

Shift hours Monday through Thursday in office 8am-5pm, Friday remote

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance. Candidates must currently reside within a reasonable commuting distance of our [Office Location] and be able to work onsite as required.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Varsity Brands is looking to hire a Merchandising Manager – Licensedleads the branded licensed strategy and ensures licensed product assortments align with broader sport category objectives. This role drives category planning, partners closely with licensed vendors and internal Teams, and ensures assortments reflect consumer insights, financial targets, and brand requirements from development through go to market.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead the overall management of branded licensed strategy
• Manage the category development calendar and key milestones.
• Oversee category management including style management, pricing strategy, margin, and profitability.
• Conduct competitive analysis to inform planning and decision making.
• Collaborate cross functionally to establish category priorities.
• Serve as the key product contact with the appropriate product manufacturers and vendors.
• Collaborate with vendors on category needs, product costing, programs, and development.
• Apply consumer insights and market trends to guide assortment decisions.
• Identify and communicate category assortments based on season.
• Provide information for style setup, system setup, and product attributes.
• Provide category, style, and pricing information for all marketing and go-to-market materials.
• Collaborate internally with Teams to drive products from set up to launch.
• Work cross functionally on sales sample needs.
• Architect of product design and execution of brand ethos for each assortment, working directly with Branded Partners.
• Funnel assortment details to marketing and sales for go to market needs.
• Partner with Demand Planning and Forecasting on trends related to market and product needs.
• Present product category at sales events and internal meetings.
• Provide product training support for inside and outside cross functional Teams.
• Own the E&O process working in tandem with Finance; provide identification and product direction on E&O items, inclusive of discount programs.
• Create and manage vendor rebate programs in partnership with Finance.
• Work cross functionally to ensure products move smoothly through development, setup, and launch dates.

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES

• Ability to manage sensitive matters and information with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
• Strong organization, multitasking and prioritization skills with strict deadlines.
• Self-motivated collaborator, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment and pivot focus of responsibilities in a smooth and efficient manner.
• Strong communication skills including listening, writing and verbal communication across all levels of the organization.
• Retail math proficiency including margin analysis, pricing logic and assortment performance metrics.
• Ability to interpret consumer insights and translate trends into product direction.
• Ability to incorporate customer centric values and SPIRIT principles.
• The ability to communicate (listening, writing and verbal) across all levels of an organization efficiently and effectively.
• Must be comfortable with conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point required.
• Strong vendor relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Comfortable navigating and resolving conflict.
• Strong presentation skills for sales and internal audiences.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3-5 years of merchandising, product management or related experience; licensed product experience preferred
• Proven ability to communicate effectively across cross functional Teams and leadership
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new systems and manage manual processes when required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LI-EM1

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000 employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.