Merchandising Operations Manager

Comfrt

1d•Remote

About The Position

Comfrt is seeking an experienced Merchandising Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day processes that turn approved product and merchandising plans into accurate purchase orders, complete SKU records, and reliable reporting. This hands-on manager owns PO entry and management, SKU creation and integrity, and the development of one direct report, a Merchandise Coordinator. The role partners closely with Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce to keep product information and order details aligned from initial setup through website launch and fulfillment. The ideal candidate combines strong execution with people leadership, clear communication, and the ability to improve processes while coaching a less experienced team member.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in merchandising operations, product operations, purchasing, production operations, or supply chain operations; 5–8 years preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing and developing a direct report, including coaching, training, delegation, goal setting, and performance management.
Hands-on experience owning PO entry and ongoing management, including revisions, order tracking, and reconciliation.
Hands-on experience creating SKUs and managing product master data, including variant setup, system mappings, and data integrity.
Ability to work collaboratively across Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce.
Strong written and verbal communication, with proactive updates, timely escalation, and consistent follow-through.
Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, data validation, and reconciliation of large datasets.
Proficiency with ERP, inventory, or purchase order management systems and a strong understanding of data validation and system accuracy.
Strong analytical judgment and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a high volume of orders and deadlines independently.
Ability to balance hands-on execution with team leadership, prioritize workloads, and remain accountable for team deliverables.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Business Analytics, Economics, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Apparel, home goods, or e-commerce experience, including experience with overseas vendors and production lead times.
Experience with NetSuite, PLM, or similar systems, including implementation, data migration, or workflow improvements.
Familiarity with inventory planning and S&OP.
Experience with SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or workflow automation tools.

Responsibilities

Manage and develop the Merchandise Coordinator by setting priorities, delegating work, establishing expectations, and providing coaching and training.
Conduct regular one-on-ones and performance reviews, provide actionable feedback, and establish development goals.
Review work quality, address skill gaps through structured training, build the coordinator’s independent ownership, and maintain backup coverage for critical processes.
Own accurate and timely purchase order entry in the ERP or order management system using approved buy plans and confirmed vendor information.
Validate style numbers, SKUs, size and color quantities, vendor codes, costs, delivery dates, and shipping terms with Product, Sourcing, and Production before issuing orders.
Manage the PO lifecycle from entry and issuance through revisions, shipment tracking, receipt reconciliation, and closure; keep open order records current.
Partner with Sourcing and Production to confirm vendor acknowledgments, production milestones, and delivery commitments, and flag missing information or delays.
Process approved PO changes, cancellations, and delivery updates with documented approvals and revision records; communicate changes to affected teams.
Reconcile ordered, shipped, and received quantities with Supply Chain and relevant partners, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate resolution.
Coordinate with Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce to align approved buys, order details, SKU setup, and launch timelines.
Provide clear updates on open orders, outstanding decisions, and delivery risks, including business impact and recommended next steps.
Drive proactive follow-up, clarify owners and deadlines, and close outstanding issues.
Create and maintain SKUs for new styles, colors, and sizes using established naming conventions; validate product attributes and prevent duplicate records.
Partner with Operations to ensure SKU records and mappings support inventory tracking, receiving, and fulfillment.
Work with eCommerce to ensure SKUs and product attributes transfer accurately to the website and map to the correct product variants.
Maintain SKU traceability across purchase orders, operational systems, website listings, and inventory records; investigate and resolve mapping discrepancies.
Audit product, vendor, cost, and PO data; establish validation controls to prevent errors and maintain consistency across systems.
Maintain reports for open POs, production status, incoming inventory, SKU readiness, vendor performance, and on-time delivery.
Analyze supply chain, inventory, and sales data to identify risks and recommend actions that support inventory planning and product availability.
Translate analysis into clear recommendations for cross-functional partners and leadership, and automate recurring reporting where practical.
Identify and implement improvements to PO workflows, data accuracy, reporting, and cross-functional handoffs.
Document procedures, approval requirements, and reporting logic; support team training and adoption of system improvements.
Support ERP and PLM implementations and integrations through data cleanup, workflow requirements, testing, and user training; partner with system owners on accurate product and PO data.