North Carolina Courage
Merchandise Manager
North Carolina Courage - Manager
Raleigh · NC
Apparel · Retail Merchandising · Retail Store Management
1
2
hours ago
Position Summary
The Merchandise Manager is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive merchandising strategies that drive revenue growth, maximize profitability, and enhance the customer and fan experience across all retail and e-commerce channels. This role leads product assortment planning, inventory management, pricing strategy, vendor partnerships, and omnichannel merchandising initiatives while supporting the organization's long-term retail growth and scalability objectives.
Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, the Merchandise Manager leverages data-driven insights to optimize product performance, improve inventory productivity, expand e-commerce capabilities, and deliver exceptional retail experiences on matchdays and throughout the year. This position plays a critical role in identifying growth opportunities, increasing merchandise sales, and building a scalable merchandise operation that supports organizational goals and evolving fan demands.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute merchandise strategies that align with organizational goals, brand identity, fan engagement initiatives, and revenue objectives across retail and e-commerce channels.
- Drive merchandise revenue growth through strategic product assortment planning, pricing optimization, promotional strategies, and category management.
- Analyze sales performance, customer behavior, market trends, and product profitability to inform purchasing, inventory, and merchandising decisions.
- Lead seasonal and annual merchandise planning processes, including forecasting, product lifecycle management, and inventory investment strategies.
- Oversee inventory management practices to ensure optimal stock levels, minimize markdowns, improve inventory turns, and maximize gross margin performance.
- Manage internal departmental merchandise requests and player-specific merchandise needs, ensuring timely fulfillment, inventory accuracy, and alignment with organizational standards.
- Own e-commerce merchandising strategy and execution, including product launches, online assortment planning, site merchandising, promotional campaigns, inventory availability, and customer communications.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve digital conversion, average order value, customer retention, and overall online shopping experience.
- Lead matchday retail operations by overseeing staffing, recruitment, training, scheduling, product allocation, and sales execution to maximize event-day revenue and deliver exceptional fan experiences.
- Develop and execute retail strategies that optimize matchday traffic flow, product presentation, and customer service standards.
- Assist the Director of Merchandising in managing vendor, supplier, and licensing partner relationships, including product development, sourcing, order management, contract administration, cost negotiations, and partnership growth opportunities.
- Collaborate with marketing, ticketing, sponsorship, and other cross-functional teams to execute integrated campaigns, special events, product launches, and revenue-generating initiatives.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators, including sales, margins, inventory productivity, e-commerce performance, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
- Provide strategic recommendations to improve merchandise performance, increase revenue, and enhance the customer journey across all touchpoints.
- Ensure consistent brand presentation, visual merchandising standards, and customer experience across retail locations, online platforms, and event environments.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes while identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and scalable growth.
- Develop and document merchandising processes, systems, and best practices that support long-term organizational growth and operational scalability.
- Lead, mentor, and develop part-time and full-time retail staff, fostering a culture of accountability, customer service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field.
- 4+ years of experience in merchandising, buying, retail planning, e-commerce, product management, or a related retail leadership role.
- Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales, inventory, and customer data to drive business decisions.
- Demonstrated experience managing inventory, forecasting demand, and driving merchandise revenue growth.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred:
- Experience in sports, entertainment, lifestyle, consumer products, or licensed merchandise environments.
- Experience with Shopify and a strong understanding of e-commerce merchandising, digital retail operations, and omnichannel commerce strategies.
- Previous supervisory or team leadership experience in a retail or merchandising environment.
- Experience managing matchday, event-based, or high-volume retail operations.
- Knowledge of merchandise planning, licensing programs, product development, and vendor management.
OUR VALUES
We hire through the lens of our Club Values:
Integrity – Transparent, trustworthy relationships with our fans and ourselves.
Community – Creating a sense of belonging in a diverse, inclusive environment
Accountability – Responsible for our words, our actions, and our results.
Respect – Regard for treating others with dignity and acceptance.
Respect – Regard for treating others with dignity and acceptance.
Excellence - Strive towards greatness in ourselves, club, and community and culture.
WHY IT’S BETTER AT THE COURAGE
- Comprehensive Health Benefits. Choose between PPO or HSA options because your health matters on and off the pitch.
- Flexible PTO - We trust you to take the time you need to recharge, reset, and perform at your best. It’s simple: do great work, take great breaks.
- Work-From-Anywhere (2x per year) - Whether it’s visiting family or a change of scenery, enjoy the flexibility to work remotely outside the Raleigh area twice a year.
- In office work environment with flexibility to work from home for the 2026 season. The perfect balance for productivity and connection.
- 401(k) - Build your future with our 401(k) plan. Enrollment eligibility starts at 3 months.
- Courage Swag - Rep the badge with pride. Staff receive exclusive team apparel and gear throughout the season plus 4 season tickets to share with friends & family.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
