We are seeking a Private Label Merchandising Manager to own our apparel client's private label retail partnerships end to end. This is a hybrid role combining three disciplines: Account Manager (the relationship and the business), Merchandiser (the assortment and the line), and Customer Service (the orders and the day-to-day execution).
Private label programs are built to the retailer's brand, standards and calendar — not ours. This person is the single point of contact who makes sure the retailer's buyers, product teams and compliance groups get what they need, and that their Design/PD, Production and Sales teams have clear, accurate direction in return.
The role covers intimates, sleepwear, loungewear and basics programs developed for retail partners' own labels (e.g., Nordstrom Rack and Macy's private label), and will grow as new private label accounts are added.
Key focus: A big focus of this role will be onboarding new private label partners, learning and navigating each customer’s bid systems and platforms, and managing the critical path through final approvals.
REPORTING STRUCTURE & KEY PARTNERS
- Reports to: Chief Design & Merchandising Officer, with a close working line of communication to the two VPs of Sales on account strategy, pricing, forecasts and customer issues
- Location: Los Angeles area, on-site/hybrid [to confirm]; occasional travel to retail partner offices and market
- Internal partners: Design/PD teams (Brand + Offprice and Costco), Production, Sourcing & PLM, Planning/Allocation, Finance, Warehouse/Logistics, and Sales leadership
- External partners: Retail buyers, assistant buyers, product development and private label brand teams, compliance/vendor operations, and quality assurance teams at each account
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
New Partner Onboarding, Bid Systems & Critical Path
- Lead onboarding of new private label partners — vendor setup, compliance and testing requirements, brand standards, labeling and packaging specs, and internal kickoff
- Learn and navigate each customer’s bid systems, vendor portals and sourcing platforms; prepare and submit bids, cost quotes and line submissions accurately and on time
- Build and own the critical path for every program, from bid and line award through development, fit, lab dip and sample approvals, PP/TOP approvals and bulk handoff
- Track every approval milestone, flag risks early and drive Design/PD, Sourcing and Production to close gaps so final approvals land on time
- Create a repeatable onboarding playbook and customer-specific guides (portals, contacts, calendars, requirements) for each new partner
Account Management
- Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned private label retail partners, building strong relationships with buyers, product development and brand teams
- Own the seasonal business plan for each account: sales targets, unit and dollar volume, margin goals and program mix
- Lead line reviews, seasonal kickoffs and recap meetings; prepare presentations, line sheets and business reviews
- Negotiate cost, retail price points, delivery dates and terms in partnership with the VPs of Sales and Finance
- Analyze POS, sell-through, inventory and margin data to recommend reorders, markdown support, newness and program expansion
- Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and partner with Sales on pitches to new private label customers
- Manage chargebacks, deductions and vendor scorecards; resolve disputes and drive corrective action
Merchandising
- Translate each retailer's brand strategy, customer and price architecture into a seasonal line plan and assortment (styles, colors, sizes, pack configurations)
- Partner with Design/PD to develop product to the retailer's brand standards — trend direction, fit, fabrication and target first cost
- Track market and competitor trends; bring recommendations for newness, key items and carryover performance
- Maintain accurate style, costing and status data in Centric PLM and account trackers
- Ensure all product meets retailer-specific requirements: labeling, packaging, ticketing, testing and compliance manuals
Customer Service & Order Management
- Manage the purchase order lifecycle: PO entry review, order confirmation, revisions, cancellations and shipping windows
- Coordinate with Production and Logistics on WIP, delivery status, routing and shipping compliance (EDI, ASNs, carton labeling)
- Proactively communicate delays, shortages or quality issues to the account with recovery plans
- Respond quickly to buyer requests for samples, information, photography, specs and replenishment
- Maintain weekly WIP and open-order reports for both the retailer and internal teams
- Resolve invoicing, pricing and shipment discrepancies in partnership with Finance and the warehouse
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as the voice of the customer internally — make sure Design, PD, Production and Sourcing understand each account's priorities and standards
- Lead internal account meetings to align on calendars, costing, approvals and open issues
- Document account-specific processes and requirements so the business is not dependent on one person's knowledge
QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven experience onboarding new retail partners and working in customer bid systems and vendor portals (e.g., retailer sourcing, PLM and supplier platforms)
- Expert at building and managing a critical path / time-and-action calendar through final approvals
- 5–8+ years in apparel wholesale, with direct experience managing private label programs for major retailers (department store, off-price or specialty)
- Background spanning at least two of: account management/sales, merchandising/product development, and customer service/order management
- Intimates, sleepwear, loungewear or basics experience strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of the product development and production calendar, costing and margin math
- Working knowledge of retailer vendor compliance, EDI, routing guides and chargeback processes
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, sell-through and margin analysis); PowerPoint for line reviews and recaps
- Experience with PLM (Centric preferred) and ERP/order management systems
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills; confident presenting to buyers and senior leadership
- Highly organized, detail-oriented and calm under pressure when juggling multiple accounts and deadlines
- Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Fashion Business, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience
Salary range $90-$115k/annual