Merchandising Operations Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Merchandising Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day processes that turn approved product and merchandising plans into accurate purchase orders, complete SKU records, and reliable reporting. This hands-on manager owns PO entry and management, SKU creation and integrity, and the development of one direct report, a Merchandise Coordinator.

The role partners closely with Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce to keep product information and order details aligned from initial setup through website launch and fulfillment. The ideal candidate combines strong execution with people leadership, clear communication, and the ability to improve processes while coaching a less experienced team member.

Key Responsibilities

People Management and Development

• Manage and develop the Merchandise Coordinator, setting clear priorities, delegating work, and establishing expectations for accuracy, deadlines, and follow-through.
• Coach and train the direct report on PO entry and management, SKU creation, system integrity, reporting, and cross-functional communication.
• Conduct regular one-on-ones and performance reviews, provide actionable feedback, and establish development goals that build independent ownership.
• Review work quality, address skill gaps through structured training, and gradually build the coordinator's independent ownership; maintain backup coverage for critical processes.

Purchase Order Entry and Management

• Own accurate and timely PO entry in the ERP or order management system based on approved buy plans and confirmed vendor information.
• Validate style numbers, SKUs, size and color quantities, vendor codes, costs, delivery dates, and shipping terms with Product, Sourcing, and Production before issuing orders.
• Manage the PO lifecycle from entry and issuance through revisions, shipment tracking, receipt reconciliation, and closure; keep open order records current.
• Partner with Sourcing and Production to confirm vendor acknowledgments, production milestones, and delivery commitments; flag missing information and delays early.
• Process approved PO changes, cancellations, and delivery updates with documented approvals and a clear record of revisions; communicate changes to all affected teams.
• Reconcile ordered, shipped, and received quantities with Supply Chain and relevant partners; investigate discrepancies and coordinate resolution.

Cross Functional Collaboration and Communication

• Partner with Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce to align approved buys, order details, SKU setup, and launch timelines.
• Provide clear updates on open orders, outstanding decisions, and delivery risks, including the business impact and recommended next steps.
• Drive proactive follow-up, clarify owners and deadlines, and close outstanding issues without repeated prompting.

SKU Creation and Data Integrity

• Create and maintain SKUs for new styles, colors, and sizes using established naming conventions; validate product attributes and prevent duplicate records.
• Partner with Operations to ensure SKU records and mappings support accurate inventory tracking, receiving, and fulfillment.
• Work closely with eCommerce to ensure SKUs and product attributes transfer accurately to the website and map to the correct product variants.
• Maintain SKU traceability across purchase orders, operational systems, website listings, and inventory records; investigate and resolve mapping discrepancies.
• Audit product, vendor, cost, and PO data; establish validation controls to prevent errors and maintain consistency across systems.

Reporting and Analysis

• Maintain reports for open POs, production status, incoming inventory, SKU readiness, vendor performance, and on-time delivery.
• Analyze supply chain, inventory, and sales data to identify risks and recommend actions that support inventory planning and product availability.
• Translate analysis into clear recommendations for cross-functional partners and leadership; automate recurring reporting where practical.

Process Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to PO workflows, data accuracy, reporting, and cross-functional handoffs.
• Document procedures, approval requirements, and reporting logic; support team training and adoption of system improvements.
• Support ERP and PLM implementations and integrations through data cleanup, workflow requirements, testing, and user training; partner with system owners on accurate product and PO data.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, with 5-8 years preferred, in merchandising operations, product operations, purchasing, production operations, or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a direct report, including coaching, training, delegation, goal setting, and performance management.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience owning PO entry and ongoing management, including revisions, order tracking, and reconciliation.
• Hands-on experience creating SKUs and managing product master data, including variant setup, system mappings, and data integrity.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across Merchandising, Product, Sourcing, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, and eCommerce.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with a track record of proactive updates, timely escalation, and consistent follow-through.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, data validation, and reconciliation of large datasets.
• Proficiency with ERP, inventory, or purchase order management systems and a strong understanding of data validation and system accuracy.
• Strong analytical judgment and attention to detail; ability to manage a high volume of orders and deadlines independently.
• Ability to balance hands-on execution with team leadership, prioritize workloads, and remain accountable for the quality and timeliness of team deliverables.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Business Analytics, Economics, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Apparel, home goods, or e-commerce experience, including overseas vendors and production lead times.
• Experience with NetSuite, PLM, or similar systems, including implementation, data migration, or workflow improvements.
• Familiarity with inventory planning and S&OP; experience with SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or workflow automation tools.