Your responsibilities will include:

1. Merchandise Planning and Creation:

   • Develop new merchandise ideas and designs that reflect the identity and branding of both programs.

   • Collaborate with team leadership, designers, and external vendors to create appealing and on brand merchandise.

   • Provide input on product selection, pricing, design concepts, quantities, and quality standards.

   • Maintain a year round merchandise calendar that includes new releases, seasonal items, special events, and promotional campaigns.

2. Retailer and Vendor Coordination:

   • Serve as the primary contact between the programs and their merchandise retailer.

   • Communicate product needs, design concepts, order quantities, deadlines, and restocking requests.

   • Review product samples and final designs before merchandise is approved for sale.

   • Monitor vendor performance, product quality, production timelines, and order accuracy.

   • Help identify additional retailers or vendors when new products or services are needed.

3. Inventory Management:

   • Maintain accurate records of available merchandise and stock levels.

   • Track inventory for online sales, home matches, community events, and other team activities.

   • Coordinate restocking efforts based on sales performance, demand, and upcoming events.

   • Conduct regular inventory reviews and report missing, damaged, or outdated items.

   • Ensure merchandise is properly stored, organized, transported, and accounted for throughout the year.

4. Sales and Revenue Tracking:

   • Track merchandise sales and revenue from online purchases, matches, and special events.

   • Maintain accurate records of expenses, revenue, inventory value, and overall merchandise performance.

   • Provide regular reports to team leadership regarding sales totals, costs, profit margins, and outstanding payments.

   • Identify best selling items and products that are not performing as expected.

   • Use sales data to make recommendations regarding future products, pricing, quantities, and promotions.

5. In Person Sales:

   • Set up, organize, and manage merchandise booths at home matches and select team events.

   • Coordinate staffing and payment procedures for merchandise sales.

   • Provide excellent customer service to supporters interested in purchasing team merchandise.

   • Ensure all sales and remaining inventory are accurately recorded after each event.

   • Actively promote and sell merchandise throughout the season and during year round community activities.

6. Online Store Management:

   • Work with the retailer and web design team to keep the online merchandise store current and accurate.

   • Maintain updated product listings, images, descriptions, prices, sizes, and inventory information.

   • Ensure new merchandise is added to the website promptly and unavailable products are removed or marked appropriately.

   • Monitor online orders, fulfillment, shipping concerns, and customer questions.

   • Regularly review the online purchasing experience and recommend improvements.

7. Social Media and Marketing Coordination:

   • Work closely with the social media team to promote merchandise releases, restocks, sales, and special offers.

   • Provide the social media team with accurate product details, release dates, pricing, photographs, and purchasing links.

   • Help create engaging content that showcases merchandise across social media and other promotional channels.

   • Coordinate merchandise campaigns with match promotions, player announcements, community events, and other program initiatives.

   • Ensure merchandise information is consistent across social media, the website, and the online store.

8. Sales Analysis and Product Development:

   • Review sales trends throughout the year to understand customer preferences and purchasing habits.

   • Maintain records of best selling products, sizes, colors, and designs.

   • Gather feedback from players, staff members, and supporters regarding current and future merchandise.

   • Use sales data and customer feedback to guide the creation of new designs and products.

   • Recommend when items should be restocked, redesigned, discounted, or discontinued.

9. Customer Engagement and Support:

   • Respond professionally and promptly to merchandise related questions and concerns.

   • Assist customers with product availability, sizing, online orders, and purchasing information.

   • Build excitement around new merchandise releases and encourage supporter participation.

   • Foster a stronger connection between the programs and their supporters through positive merchandise experiences.

10. Year Round Events and Promotions:

    • Assist with planning and executing merchandise releases, sales, and special promotions throughout the year.

    • Coordinate merchandise availability for home matches, supporter events, clinics, tryouts, watch parties, and community appearances.

    • Develop offseason sales opportunities and promotional ideas to maintain engagement outside of the competitive season.

    • Collaborate with other departments to ensure merchandise supports the broader goals of both programs.

Note: This is a year round position that requires consistent communication and organization, including outside of the competitive season. Responsibilities will be shared with and supported by other members of the organization, but the Merchandise Associate will take primary responsibility for keeping merchandise, inventory, sales information, retailer communication, and online listings organized and up to date.