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Director, Merchandising

AMB Sports & Entertainment, LLC

Atlanta, GA

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Alliance/Partner Management, Alliance/Partner Marketing, Analysis Skills, Automotive Sales, Brand Strategy, Budgeting, Campaigns, Cargo/Freight, Communication Skills, Competitive Analysis/Strategy, Computer Skills, Cross-Functional, Customer/Consumer Behavior, Data Analysis, Demand Forecasting/Planning, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Financial Planning, Gross Margin, Inventory Levels, Inventory Management, Inventory Planning, Inventory Turns, Leadership, License Management, Licensing, Lift/Move 25 Pounds, Logistics, Market Research, Market Trend Analysis, Marketing, Merchandising, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Negotiation Skills, Operations Planning, Order Delivery, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Pivot Tables, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Pricing, Problem Solving Skills, Procurement Management, Procurement Planning, Product Development, Product Pricing, Product Profitability, Product Programs, Product/Service Launch, Production Schedule, Project/Program Management, Purchase Orders, Reconciliation, Retail, Retail Management, Retail Operations, Retail Sales, Retail Strategy, Revenue/Sales Reporting, Risk, Sales, Sales Analysis, Sales Forecasting, Sales Management, Sales Strategy, Sales Support, Social Media Marketing, Specimens/Samples, Sports, Strategic Planning, Supply Chain, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Thought Leadership, Time Management, Top Sales Rep, Trend Analysis, Vendor/Supplier Licensing, Visual Merchandising, Vlookups, Warehousing, Writing Skills, eCommerce
LOCATION
Atlanta, GA
POSTED
3 days ago
The Director of Merchandise is the senior leader responsible for end-to-end ownership of merchandise buying, pricing, assortment planning, and inventory strategy across the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, the new NWSL club, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Acting as the primary decision-maker for productinvestment and margin performance, this role carries direct accountability for revenue, gross margin, sell-through, inventory turns, and inventory risk. The Director partners closely with the VP, Retail as a thought leader and execution driver, shaping both near-term performance and long-term retail strategy.

This role is designed for a builder. The Director of Merchandising will lead the stand-up of AMB Sports & Entertainment's in-house buying, pricing, and inventory capability as the organization transitions control from a third-party partner.

Roles and Responsibilities

Product Development & Buying
  • Oversee product selection, buying and inventory to ensure a balanced, profitable and appealing product mix
  • Analyze market trends and consumer behavior to refine and elevate each team's product assortment
  • Develop seasonal merchandise assortments aligned with brand strategy, fan insights, and sales goals
  • Ability to create and manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets, ensuring optimal inventory levels and alignment with sales targets while driving overall volume
  • Use sales data, market research, and KPIs to drive informed decisions and optimize performance
  • Strong product sense with the ability to identify trends and anticipate fan demand
  • Partner with senior leadership to establish long-range financial plans, seasonal strategies and retail sales goals with an emphasis on unit sales across teams
  • Deep analytical skills, including sales reporting, forecasting, and inventory management
  • Create and implement merchandising strategy across all locations, including regular site visits, merchandising plans and floor set plans
  • Collaborate with the operations team to enhance visual merchandising and optimize the fan journey across each store
  • Build annual timelines and calendars for custom collections with ability to map out 2 years in advance
  • Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, budget reconciliation)
  • Forecast demand and manage replenishment to support sales peaks and seasonality
  • Ensure financial goals are met: revenue, sell-through, turn, GM% and markdown strategy
  • Conduct market, trend, and competitor analysis to inform product selection and pricing strategies
  • Drive alignment between merchandise plans and buying strategies with an emphasis on seasonality, customer journey and Present recommendations to leadership for product, pricing, and assortment improvements
  • Proficiency in retail systems (e.g., ERP, POS, Excel, Mondays.com, analytics platforms)
  • Ability to evaluate pricing strategies and margin improvement opportunities
  • Clear communication skills with ability to present findings to executives
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Creative, Warehouse, and Retail Ops
  • Build seasonal production schedules and recurring inventory planning
  • Lead cross-functional meetings to align creative, marketing, retail, and operations
  • Source merchandise across multiple licensees to expand seasonal and evergreen assortments
  • Oversee stadium giveaway programs and major sponsorship merchandising

Collection Management & Sales Reporting
  • Lead product launch meetings and monthly retail reporting, including preparation of launch documents for both the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United.
  • Track product timelines and shipping status; adjust PO start/cancel dates as needed
  • Develop launch plans including unit distribution, timelines, and campaign strategy for distribution to Fanatics
  • Lead execution of league retail initiatives in alignment with NFL & MLS guidelines
  • Regularly train store teams on product features, campaign priorities, and visual standards
  • Maintain strong communication and relationships with league partners, vendors, and licensees
  • Partner with Marketing, Creative, and Retail Operations to plan product launch moments
  • Manage sales performance reporting within the team across launch milestones
  • Oversee purchase order creation and receipt with Fanatics and licensees
  • Analyze sales by location and product category to identify top performers
  • Create comprehensive recaps covering marketing, social, digital and sales performance
  • Time-management and organization skills to handle multiple launches and timelines simultaneously
  • Oversee in-store merchandising refreshes and signage rollout.
  • Track key e-commerce KPIs through retail and affiliate links
  • Work with data analytics team on ad hoc retail reporting as needed
  • Grow vendor partnerships supporting corporate retail programs

Retail Marketing & Project Management
  • Lead team that manages in-store signage and maintain up-to-date promotional merchandising
  • Manage workflows, timelines, and priorities using Monday.com boards
  • Coordinate order deliveries, freight tracking, and sample management for both clubs
  • Improve delivery accuracy through enhanced communication workflows with stadium operations
  • Project manage 3rd party events including event logistics and event operations
  • Manage Falcons and Atlanta United retail initiative calendars for venue and eComm
  • Align club retail launches with NFL & MLS Store platform rollout
  • Lead MLS Licensee Portal management and seasonal submissions
  • Participate in NFL & MLS Consumer Products Summit and league retail forums
  • Manage large-scale departmental orders throughout the Blank Family of Businesses
  • Identify new product and licensing opportunities and align with Fanatics

Qualifications and Education Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field
  • 10+ years in buying, merchandise planning and retail operations experience (sports, fashion, or consumer goods preferred)
  • Experience working with licensed product programs and sports retail operations (e.g., NFL, MLS, NBA, NCAA) is a plus
  • Proven track record of managing seasonal buying cycles and vendor negotiations
  • Must be able to work select nights and weekend Atlanta Falcons games, Atlanta United matches, store product launches and 3rd party Mercedes-Benz stadium events as needed

Required Skills
  • Strong organizational and computer skills required
  • Flexible and a team player
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint & Word)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to multi-task, problem solve effectively and handle stressful and difficult situations
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs on and occasional basis
  • Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, nights as dictated by the business
  • Must be assertive and eager to grow in an extremely fast paced organization

** Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About the Company

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AMB Sports & Entertainment, LLC