Resources

Meet the Experts: Merchandise Manager

Merchandise Managers help you turn your brand into products people love without the stress. Learn when to bring one in, what to expect, and how they turn creative ideas into smooth, profitable launches.

What they do

A Merchandise Manager helps you plan, produce, and sell branded products whether that’s apparel, accessories, physical goods, or digital merch. They guide the full process, from deciding what to make to sourcing and production to fulfillment and customer experience. Their job is to turn your brand into something people can wear or use while making sure the operation is financially and creatively sustainable.

When to bring them in

You’re launching merch for the first time and don’t know where to start. You’ve done drops before, but they’re hard to manage or do not deliver the results you want. You want to expand your product line, shift from print-on-demand to custom production, or create something more premium. A Merchandise Manager helps you navigate creative decisions and operational complexity.

What to look for

Someone with experience in e-commerce, product development, or merch production, ideally for creators or entertainment brands. They should understand timelines, minimums, shipping, and how to price things profitably. Bonus if they bring creative instincts, but they must be comfortable managing logistics and vendors. A strong Merchandise Manager keeps things on-brand and on budget and knows how to collaborate with designers, suppliers, and fulfillment teams.

What to expect

A merch plan aligned with your audience and brand. Product sourcing, pricing, and margin analysis. Coordination with design and manufacturing partners. Fulfillment setup (in-house or third-party). Timelines, launch plans, and inventory management. The goal is a merch line that looks good sells well and doesn’t become a headache behind the scenes.

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