What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Merchandiser position at JOOLA?
JOOLA is for looking for a strategic and detail-oriented Senior Merchandiser with a passion for growth and interest in pickleball and table tennis!
JOOLA was first established in 1952 and built a global reputation as a pioneer in table tennis. In 2022, JOOLA expanded into the rapidly growing pickleball scene and quickly attracted the biggest names in the sport. As an official table tennis sponsor for three Summer Olympic Games and the official sponsor of pickleball's top athletes and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the team at JOOLA combines its storied expertise with fresh perspectives to bring innovation to both sports. JOOLA creates a variety of equipment, apparel, and accessories for both table tennis and pickleball players, professional and recreational. With offices in US, Germany, Brazil, and China, JOOLA has a global presence and wide distributor network.
JOOLA is seeking for a Senior Merchandiser to assess client merchandising needs, drive product strategies, and act as a liaison between the Sales and Product Development teams. This role is pivotal in ensuring our product offerings align with market demands while maintaining JOOLA’s brand integrity. The ideal candidate thrives in collaborative environments, excels at data-driven decision-making, and has a keen eye for emerging trends.
Location: Rockville, MD
Responsibilities:
Client Needs Assessment:
- Conduct market research and analyze client feedback to identify merchandising opportunities.
- Engage directly with clients and the Sales Team to understand product preferences, pricing, and delivery expectations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner with the Sales Team to align on client goals and communicate insights to the Product Development team.
- Translate client feedback into actionable product recommendations (e.g., design adjustments, new features).
Merchandising Strategy:
- Develop tailored product assortments and promotional plans for diverse client segments.
- Create visual merchandising guidelines to ensure brand consistency across retail and digital platforms.
Data Analysis & Reporting:
- Monitor sales performance, inventory levels, and market trends to optimize product offerings.
- Prepare reports and presentations for internal stakeholders and clients.
Industry Expertise:
- Stay ahead of industry trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior to inform strategies.
Post-Launch Support:
- Track product performance post-launch and recommend adjustments based on client and sales feedback.
Qualifications:
- 5–7 years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, with a proven track record in product assortment planning, inventory management, and demand forecasting.
- Industry expertise in retail sectors such as apparel, consumer goods, sports/outdoor recreation.
- Established network of buyer contacts in retail verticals relevant to the company’s market (e.g., sporting goods, lifestyle brands highly preferred).
- Background in launching successful private-label or exclusive product lines.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams (Sales, Product Development, Supply Chain) to align on product launches and inventory plans.
- Mastery of merchandising software), ERP systems, and advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP).
