Merchandise Operations Manager

Title: Merchandise Operations Manager

Department: eCommerce

Type: Contract — 6 months

Start Date: September 8

End Date/Length: 6 months

Location: 100% Remote

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM EST

Hours per Week: 40

Pay Rate: $30 – $35 / hour

About the Company:

A national professional association that supports PreK–12 school leaders through professional development, resources, advocacy, networking, and leadership programs designed to strengthen school leadership and student success.

About the Department:

Over the past year, the Director of eCommerce has helped streamline processes across the eCommerce function, allowing the team to already reach its budget goal for the year. With that foundation in place, this newly created role will bring in a strategic and analytical merchandising partner to help continue growing and expanding the organization’s retail and online business.

About the Role:

The Merchandise Operations Manager will oversee the day-to-day merchandising, product management, and operational execution of the organization’s online store. Reporting to the Director of eCommerce, this role will own product assortment, seasonal planning, pricing recommendations, product launches, and merchandise vendor relationships.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on eCommerce and merchandising experience and be able to step in with minimal ramp-up. This person should be comfortable using data and retail KPIs to make decisions, identify opportunities, and help drive continued growth of the online business.

Key Responsibilities:

Site Merchandising & Operations

• Manage daily operations of all eCommerce storefronts.
• Maintain site merchandising, navigation, collections, promotions, and featured products.
• Ensure product information, pricing, imagery, inventory visibility, and content remain accurate.
• Monitor site performance and recommend improvements to conversion, average order value, and customer experience.
• Coordinate website updates with Technology and Marketing teams.

Merchandising Strategy & Product Lifecycle

• Develop seasonal merchandising plans and promotional calendars.
• Analyze product performance and customer trends to optimize assortment.
• Identify new product opportunities aligned with organizational initiatives and events.
• Manage the product lifecycle from introduction and launch through refresh and retirement.
• Recommend product- and category-level pricing and margin improvements.

Product Launch Execution

• Lead end-to-end execution of new product launches.
• Manage product setup, copy, imagery, pricing, and category placement.
• Coordinate inventory readiness and marketing support.
• Conduct quality assurance and ensure launch timelines are met.

Merchandise Vendor Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for merchandise sourcing and production vendors.
• Coordinate product sourcing and new product development.
• Manage competitive quotes and sample approvals.
• Monitor vendor performance, product quality, and production timelines.
• Resolve vendor issues and assist with invoice review and approval.

Reporting & Analytics

• Define and report key KPIs related to merchandising and assortment performance.
• Analyze retail KPIs and product performance to identify opportunities for growth.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to the Director of eCommerce.

Candidate Profile:

• 5–8+ years of hands-on experience in eCommerce, merchandising, retail operations, or product management.
• Experience managing an online retail business, preferably in an inventory-driven environment.
• Able to work independently with minimal ramp-up.
• Strong eCommerce platform experience.
• Strong merchandising and product management skills.
• Vendor management experience.
• Experience tracking and analyzing retail KPIs.
• Experience with Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, or similar platforms.
• Google Analytics or equivalent experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Keywords: eCommerce, merchandising, retail operations, inventory, product management, retail KPIs, eCommerce platforms, vendor management, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Google Analytics.

Soft Skills: Independent, self-starter, analytical, strategic, proactive, organized, and comfortable bringing forward ideas.

Reporting To: Director of eCommerce

Supervisor Style: High performer with high expectations who wants to hear ideas and remain involved in the work.

Team Size: 3 people, including the Director of eCommerce and Sales & Marketing Specialist.

Interview Process:

1. Initial screen with Deadra.
2. Panel interview with the Director of eCommerce and Managing Director of Finance.

Additional Details:

• Newly created position following strong revenue performance and process improvements within the eCommerce function.
• The team has already surpassed its current-year revenue goal.
• Peak business periods are Q1 and Q2.

Perks:

This is an opportunity to join a growing eCommerce function in a newly created role with meaningful ownership over merchandising strategy, product operations, vendor relationships, and online retail growth.

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.