Manager, Branded Merchandise

Job description

Manager, Branded Merchandise | Job Description About Phase 3 Marketing & Communications: Founded in 2001, Phase 3 is an integrated marketing services firm, simplifying the way brands connect with their customers. A commitment to ideation to execution means Phase 3 offers everything from creative, digital, marketing and public relations to small- and large-format digital and offset printing. We manage the picture of projects – start-to-finish, arm-in-arm – like no other partner. With locations across the eastern United States, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville and Fairfield - New Jersey, our reach and efficiencies enable our team to creatively and effectively solve clients’ biggest marketing challenges, together. Phase 3 is recognized annually as a top 10 marketing services firm by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and as a top 15 marketing services firm by the Charlotte Business Journal and Nashville Business Journal. The company has been ranked among the flagship Printing Impressions 400 annually since 2011, and additional accolades include Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2015 Pacesetter Award, placement on the 2017 Inc. 5000 List of the fastest-growing private companies, and recognition as one of Charlotte’s Best Places to Work. Position Summary: The Manager, Branded Merchandise serves as a team coach, merchandising expert, and creative leader for custom branded merchandise opportunities. This role partners closely with sales, suppliers, and internal production resources to review opportunities, determine the right sourcing strategy, and guide the team toward thoughtful, innovative, and executable merchandise solutions. This is a manager-level role focused on creative leadership, team development, supplier strategy, and escalated custom project support. The ideal candidate brings deep branded merchandise expertise, strong creative instincts, excellent sourcing judgment, and the ability to mentor team members while helping elevate the quality, originality, and win rate of custom merchandise proposals. Key Responsibilities Team Coaching & Creative Leadership Coach team members on creative branded merchandise solutions that align with client objectives, audience needs, budget, timing, and brand standards. Mentor a team of specialists by strengthening their sourcing approach, product knowledge, presentation quality, and confidence in consultative recommendations. Serve as a creative leader who helps the team push beyond standard product ideas and develop more strategic, memorable, and differentiated merchandise concepts. Provide practical guidance, feedback, and coaching during brief review, concept development, sourcing, and proposal preparation. Model strong collaboration, sound judgment, urgency, and solutions-oriented thinking for the broader merchandising team. Sales Brief Review & Sourcing Strategy Review incoming sales briefs to understand client goals, audience, brand requirements, budget, timeline, quantity, delivery needs, and desired experience. Determine the appropriate sourcing strategy for each opportunity, including supplier direction, product categories, custom development needs, packaging considerations, and risk factors. Guide team members on how to interpret briefs, ask the right clarifying questions, and develop strategic merchandise recommendations. Solve difficult sourcing challenges involving custom products, tight timelines, limited budgets, unusual quantities, complex branding requirements, or unique fulfillment needs. Ensure sourcing decisions support proposal quality, production feasibility, margin expectations, and client success. Merchandising Expertise & Proposal Quality Lead the development of creative branded merchandise solutions that balance originality, usability, quality, cost, production feasibility, sustainability considerations, and brand impact. Approve final presentations before client review to ensure recommendations are strategic, polished, accurate, on-brand, and commercially sound. Elevate the quality of proposals by improving product mix, storytelling, visual presentation, pricing clarity, and rationale for recommendations. Stay current on product trends, supplier capabilities, decoration techniques, packaging options, retail inspiration, and emerging client expectations. Help establish merchandising standards and best practices that improve consistency, creativity, and effectiveness across the team. Supplier Relationship Development Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships that support creative sourcing, competitive pricing, reliable production, quality execution, and access to new product ideas. Partner with suppliers to understand capabilities, lead times, decoration options, custom product development opportunities, packaging solutions, and fulfillment considerations. Identify preferred suppliers and specialty partners for custom merchandise categories, rush requests, complex decoration, international sourcing, and unique project needs. Negotiate and problem-solve with supplier partners to support proposal competitiveness, quality, delivery, and client satisfaction. Escalated Custom Projects & Cross-Functional Support Work closely with sales, account management, creative, purchasing, production, finance, and customer service teams to support special project success. Communicate clearly and proactively with stakeholders to ensure alignment and accountability. Identify opportunities to improve project workflows, templates, tracking tools, and communication routines. Client Service & Communication Build trusted working relationships with clients and internal client-facing teams through responsive, accurate, and solutions-oriented communication. Participate in client calls, planning discussions, status updates, and post-project recaps as needed. Prepare clear project updates, product recommendations, timelines, estimates, and presentation materials. Ensure special projects reflect the client’s brand standards, business objectives, quality expectations, and overall experience goals. Qualifications -Required Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. Minimum of 2 years of people leadership, supervisory, team lead, or equivalent management experience. Minimum of 3 years of experience in branded merchandise, promotional products, retail, account management, project management, sourcing, or related industries. Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and detailed execution requirements. Strong understanding of promotional product sourcing, decoration methods, supplier communication, production timelines, and quality control. Exceptional project management, organization, follow-through, and prioritization skills. Ability to manage multiple special projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and urgency. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and client communication skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint. Qualifications - Preferred Experience with promotional products industry platforms such as SAGE, ESP, Commonsku, NetSuite, or similar ERP systems. Experience supporting company stores, custom kitting, event merchandise, employee gifting, direct mail, or fulfillment-based programs. Knowledge of domestic and international sourcing, overseas manufacturing, and custom product development. Experience improving project workflows, templates, reporting routines, or execution processes. Successful Profile A highly organized project leader who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment A strong team coach who sets the tone and pace for the group, helping team members work with focus, accountability, and a shared sense of urgency Strong merchandising instincts, product knowledge, and promotional products industry expertise A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to complex project challenges Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality execution Excellent communication skills with the ability to keep stakeholders aligned and informed Calm, confident decision-making when priorities shift or challenges arise A collaborative mindset and a willingness to partner across teams to get work done A passion for creating memorable, effective, and well-executed branded merchandise experiences Company-Wide Benefits Medical + Dental + Vision Company Paid Life Insurance and AD&D Health Savings Account Employee Assistance Program 401k and Roth IRA Generous PTO schedule $500 Employee Referral Bonus Phase 3 Marketing and Communications provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.