Merchandising Consultant (Contract)

Bandai Namco Entertainment America • Irvine, CA

261d • $90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.'s Merchandising Consultant (Contract) will be responsible for defining the vision and strategic roadmap for merchandise and special editions developed exclusively for sale across the direct-to-consumer channels, marketplace, and social commerce, catering to the most ardent fans of Bandai Namco's franchises. They will be working collaboratively with internal teams such as management to propose plans for merchandise and special editions, and external stakeholders, including licensing partners and external vendors. The Merchandise Consultant, Contractor will develop a merchandise pipeline that builds demand and drives sales conversion for key brand & corporate events and initiatives. The Merchandise Planner, Contractor will focus on strategizing the merchandise plan and setting up a sustainable business model with profitability. The role is based in a new campus in Irvine, California, with a hybrid work schedule observed. The duration of this contract role will be 12 months.

Requirements

• BA or higher in Business Management or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in the video game industry, merchandise, entertainment industry, or online retail.
• Excellent organization, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills for managing cross-functional coordination and providing reports and presentations.
• Experience in merchandising planning, strategies, and packaging designs.
• Experience in direct-to-consumer (DTC) business and eCommerce best practices.
• Fluency in software relevant to the role, such as Microsoft Suite and an ERP system.
• Existing relationships with an established network of vendors.

Nice To Haves

• Project management certification preferred (PMP, CPM).
• Certified Product Manager (CPM) or New Product Development Professional (NPDP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate pricing, freight, and MOQ with suppliers to ensure the best cost structure while maintaining merchandise quality and meeting profitability requirements.
• Review bids from multiple suppliers to secure optimal financial outcomes.
• Diversify vendor selections to expand product assortments and reduce risks by broadening supplier options.
• Review project statuses and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet deliverables on time.
• Create and maintain P&L to meet the team's margin requirements, focusing on royalty fees and packaging estimates.
• Act as a liaison to internal and external partners to conduct negotiations with suppliers and manage overseas vendors.
• Research different products to create a competitive advantage for new product launches.
• Manage end-to-end merchandise processes, including developing and analyzing merchandise data from concept to completion.
• Identify and engage foreign vendors, leading the end-to-end RFP process to evaluate and select suitable suppliers.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations to improve processes supporting merchandise development.
• Manage relevant software such as ERP systems and project management tools to track and update project statuses.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Publishing Industries
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree