Product Development Merchandiser

SnugZ USA•West Jordan, UT

About The Position

The Product Development Merchandiser coordinates product development and production across internal teams and external suppliers to ensure projects are completed smoothly and on schedule. The role defines product category direction through research, planning, execution, and analysis, and ensures the product line reflects consumer needs, trends, suitable price points, and the company’s character. It also calls for expertise in assigned product categories and the ability to teach or train others about products and categories. The merchandiser analyzes product and category sales, retail and competitive trends, and overseas factory capabilities; plans product lines and development schedules; coordinates product selection and sales forecasting; and communicates with vendors and internal departments throughout development. The role maintains product information and samples, supports product marketing campaigns, presents product ideas to upper management, and may travel for trade shows. This is a salaried, exempt, full-time position whose schedule may exceed 35–45 hours per week; overtime may be expected.

Requirements

At least 5 years of work experience as a buyer, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, or training.
Ability to communicate effectively with sales representatives and local or overseas vendors by telephone, in person, and in writing.
Ability to assimilate information and make decisions, and to work under pressure in a detailed and organized manner.
Ability to operate or learn to operate a computer terminal and hand-held order-entry device.
Fluent, articulate English speaking, writing, and reading skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with managers, customers, and the public and to write business correspondence and reports.
Ability to calculate discounts, interest, commissions, totals, percentages, weight, and volume, and apply basic algebra and advanced math concepts.
Ability to resolve practical problems with limited information and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, bid, and schedule information or instructions.
Ability to work overtime as needed; the salaried exempt schedule may exceed 35–45 hours per week, and expected overtime may be mandatory.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.
Knowledge of fabrication/sewing and plastic and metal material products.
Basic typing skills emphasizing accuracy.
Knowledge of purchasing legal requirements and software applications for customer input, billing, and shipping.

Responsibilities

Define product category direction and development through research, planning, execution, and analysis.
Analyze product and category sales performance, including top sellers, price points, subcategories, attributes, and product lifecycles.
Research retail trends and competitive products, including pricing, features, functions, design, colors, and breadth of line.
Assess overseas factory capabilities and performance against product requirements.
Plan product lines around consumer needs, trends, price points, uniqueness, and corporate character, while considering purchasing and fiscal responsibility.
Determine resources for existing products with minor or major changes and for new products developed from concept to reality.
Create and follow product development schedules and calendars to deliver a balanced, timely offering of new products.
Organize and evaluate product selection feedback from Sales, Purchasing, Production, and Marketing, and present selections to the Executive team for final approval.
Collaborate with Sales and Purchasing on forecasts for larger inventory needs, including potential best sellers, marketing, specials, and giveaways.
Communicate with vendors throughout product development to maintain schedules; communicate daily with overseas vendors on development, sourcing, and relationship building.
Notify internal departments about new product details, approval processes, and releases.
Collaborate with Marketing and web teams on new product marketing campaigns.
Maintain and organize new product information and samples.
Present new product ideas and direction to upper management.
Travel for trade shows.
Learn and understand assigned product attributes, features, and functions, and teach or train others about products and categories.