Merchandising Manager

**Job Summary**

The Merchandising Manager is responsible for development of product for Cityneon touring and semi-permanent exhibitions based upon studio IP and Heritage Exhibitions. This role is responsible for delivering budgeted revenues, profits and inventory turns. In addition, the Merchandising Manager will partner with other internal teams including creative, ops, regional teams to ensure that each location retail design, layout and fixtures meet the standards of excellence set by Cityneon in the execution of exhibitions, and also support driving strong sales through customer engagement.

**Responsibilities**
- Responsible for development and execution of merchandise strategies for all Studio IP/ Heritage Exhibition
- Develop strong partnerships with IP owners to collaborate in developing highly engaging and appealing product assortments
- Responsible for ensuring that Cityneon comply with all contractual requirements for compliance, factory approvals and any testing required
- Working with creatives to develop original product concepts based on touring IPs and heritage exhibitions
- Develop merchandise tool kits for each IP, ensuring consistency across all touring units in the product offerings. Update the tool kits based upon new trends that may emerge, new style guides or updates from the studios and based upon sales information.
- Responsible for ensuring that all products have full studio approvals at all stages of development.
- Source high quality vendors, partners, and factories for manufacture of items, negotiating cost prices, delivery times, payment terms
- Work closely with Studio partners to develop strong relationships with studio licensees i.e. Mattel, LEGO, Hasbro, Funko to ensure timely delivery of products, negotiating best prices and terms
- Work closely with local licensees to complement/ supplement Cityneon Collections.
- Work closely with local and international brands for collaboration and localized product offerings
- Partner with marketing to develop overall merchandising programs
- Develop initial assortment plans for each launch of the touring exhibition including recommended styles, quantity, vendors, retail pricing.
- Partner with regional teams to ensure that recommended assortment plans fit the local culture and expectation, gaining input and insights on items, retail pricing and any other information that will help set us up for success.
- Responsible for delivering budgeted revenues and profits for all touring exhibition merchandise
- Focused development of bundling/assortment/ merchandise mix, input on current sales trends, logistics with vendors and licensees to support driving high per capita spending and retail revenues.
- Partner with regional merchandise teams to determine and lay out strong promotions that drive revenues, while delivering profit
- Lead development of merchandise training manuals
- Oversee development of souvenir programs for each IP exhibition.
- Responsible for development of all packaging programs, including hangtags, neck labels, signage that is adherence with studio guidelines and customized to the exhibition. Responsible for receiving studio approvals.
- Partner with Creative team, and operations team to develop retail store layouts, including fixtures and overall design for each touring exhibition.
- Oversee Retail Planner/ Buyer and Open to Buy financial planning, and manage inventory orders and deliveries to stay within Open to Buy agreed upon parameters of inventory levels, IMU, GM and annual inventory turn

**Requirements**:

- Minimum of 5 years in product development role with Studio IP
- Expertise in all aspects of product development including design elements, sourcing, manufacturing.
- Experience in developing and executing product and retail strategies successfully
- Ability to work in fast paced work environment with multiple stakeholders