Status: Full-Time
Department: Partnerships
Reports to: Chief Revenue Officer
Locations: Indy Eleven front office (downtown Indianapolis) & Indy Eleven merchandise office (downtown Indianapolis)
The Manager, Merchandising & Fulfillment will play a pivotal role in presenting Indy Eleven in a professional, first-class fashion and as the preeminent club in the United Soccer League by leading all facets of the club’s merchandising operations, growth, and fulfillment.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Manager, Merchandising & Fulfillment’s primary role will include the strategy, oversight, management, and sales growth for all the merchandising operations for the club’s front office and team high performance/team side, including initiatives involving Indy Eleven’s USL Championship, USL W League, and USL Academy teams. The position’s secondary role will be to support the club’s growth of merchandising vendors that will support in the expansion of the Club’s product offerings that will enhance revenue growth. The ideal candidate will have experience in both merchandising management and partnership servicing, preferably within a sports-facing organization.
The Manager, Merchandising & Fulfillment will split time between the club’s front office located in downtown Indianapolis and the merchandise location located at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Exact hours at each location will be determined as project and workload dictates in coordination with the Vice President, Marketing & Club Growth. The flexibility to work weekends and nights as dictated by Indy Eleven’s match and event schedules is a must; this includes all USL Championship home matches at Carroll Stadium and select USL Championship away matches (via working remotely from home) and USL W League home matches at Grand Park.
This role requires exceptional organizational skills, the ability to track and complete multiple projects concurrently, and a track record for turning around quality materials on tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Working well in a collaborative environment is also a high priority, as this person will work alongside all of the Club’s departments.
Included Benefits: Indy Eleven values family and a work-life balance with flexibility. Medical, vision, and dental benefits are available. Generous paid time off, as well as premium holiday vacation. Opportunities for upward mobility as the Indy Sports & Entertainment brand expands.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Execute a profitable, customer-focused merchandise and retail strategy consistent with Indy Eleven’s standards and procedures.
- Conduct market, trend, and competitor analysis to drive innovative ideas and optimize the merchandise mix.
- Implement growth strategies through networking and relationship building surrounding 3rd party merchandise vendors to support in program growth year-over-year
- Develop and execute the annual merchandising strategy aligned with the Indy Eleven brand, revenue goals, and fan experience.
- Manage product assortment planning, including identification of new product categories, seasonal collections, and limited-edition drops.
- Partner with marketing, brand, and ticketing teams to align merchandise initiatives with key calendar moments, matchdays, and campaigns.
- Manage all 3rd existing retail partner relationships and identify opportunities for advanced growth in product sales.
- Oversee and manage Indy Eleven’s annual kit designs, development, and ordering procedures; working with the Operations team to ensure all first team inventory and orders are correct.
- Cultivate relationships with local influencers and artists to support in design and marketing executions.
- Conduct product procurement and management utilizing Indy Eleven’s preferred vendors.
- Maintain processes and reports for all merchandise functions.
- Fulfill internal merchandise purchase orders and oversee the decoration process internally.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College/ University in a related field preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years merchandising and sales experience with a professional sports team or related position required; ability to provide portfolio demonstrating capabilities and previous work also required.
- Knowledge of soccer and sports/entertainment elements is an asset.
- Experience in revenue driving merchandise program development.
- Knowledge of the merchandise landscape and the latest trends of design & offerings.
- Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Premiere and After Effects, and ideally in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to work productively and multi-task in an unstructured fast paced environment with frequent interruptions and tight deadlines.
- Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in English - both verbal and written; bilingual in Spanish is an asset, but not required
- Flexible work schedule with the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as the event calendar requires – including select out-of-market games during the USL Championship season.
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.
