Merchandise & Apparel Manager

Jack Link's Protein Snacks•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Merchandise & Apparel Manager is responsible for executing Jack Link's branded apparel and merchandise strategy through product development, vendor management, inventory planning, ecommerce support, and launch execution. This role serves as the operational backbone of the wearables business, ensuring products move efficiently from concept to customer while maintaining brand standards, quality expectations, and financial objectives. Working closely with the Senior Manager, Branded Apparel & Merchandise, this position will manage day-to-day merchandising activities, support seasonal product launches and limited-edition drops, coordinate vendor relationships, and oversee internal and external merchandise programs. This role requires a blend of project management, merchandising, sourcing, and operational expertise, along with a passion for consumer products, lifestyle brands, and brand storytelling.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Merchandising, Business, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or related field.
6+ years of experience in merchandising, branded merchandise, apparel, retail operations, product development, or ecommerce.
Experience managing vendors and coordinating product development projects.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and inventory tracking systems.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Experience with branded apparel, lifestyle products, or consumer packaged goods.
Shopify or ecommerce platform experience.
Merchandise planning or inventory management experience.
Experience supporting product launches or retail merchandising programs.
Familiarity with apparel sourcing, decoration methods, and production processes.
Passion for lifestyle brands, outdoor culture, sports, or consumer products.

Responsibilities

Support development and execution of seasonal merchandise assortments and limited-edition product drops.
Manage product lifecycle from concept through production, fulfillment, and post-launch analysis.
Coordinate product specifications, artwork approvals, samples, and production timelines.
Track trends in apparel, accessories, and promotional merchandise to identify new product opportunities.
Assist with assortment planning and SKU rationalization.
Manage day-to-day relationships with apparel, accessory, and promotional merchandise vendors.
Obtain product quotes, negotiate pricing, and manage purchase orders.
Coordinate product sampling, quality reviews, and vendor performance evaluations.
Monitor production schedules and proactively address delays or quality concerns.
Support sourcing initiatives focused on cost optimization and speed-to-market.
Coordinate product setup and launch readiness for ecommerce platforms.
Maintain product information, descriptions, pricing, and imagery.
Support execution of merchandise drops, promotional campaigns, and product launches.
Partner with Marketing, Creative, and Social teams to ensure launch assets are delivered on schedule.
Track launch performance and recommend improvements.
Manage inventory levels and replenishment planning across merchandise categories.
Monitor inventory performance, sell-through rates, and aging inventory.
Support forecasting efforts and demand planning activities.
Coordinate fulfillment and distribution activities with internal and external partners.
Ensure operational processes support profitability and customer satisfaction.
Manage internal team-member apparel and merchandise ordering programs.
Coordinate branded merchandise needs for events, trade shows, recruiting, sponsorships, and corporate initiatives.
Partner with HR, Sales, Marketing, and Leadership teams to fulfill merchandise requests efficiently.
Track merchandise sales, inventory performance, margins, and promotional effectiveness.
Prepare weekly and monthly business performance reports.
Analyze customer purchasing trends and product performance.
Provide recommendations to improve profitability, assortment effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
Partner closely with Creative Services on artwork execution and product approvals.
Collaborate with Integrated Marketing on launch calendars and promotional plans.
Support retailer, event, sponsorship, and experiential merchandise initiatives.
Work closely with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, and inventory management.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.