Assistant Merchandiser

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties. At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset. ROLE OVERVIEW The Merchandiser is a key member of the Merchandising team, partnering closely with the Branch Merchandiser to drive stock control, sales, and profitability across the fanwear range. This role leads end-to-end order and critical path management, promotional planning, and trade analysis to identify opportunities and mitigate risk. The Merchandiser delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights. HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes. Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams) Cross-Functional Leadership: • Partner with the Branch Merchandiser and wider Merchandising team to align on department strategy, financial plans, and in-season trading decisions. • Work cross-functionally with suppliers, retail, and event teams to coordinate stock packages and maintain a joined-up critical path. People Leadership: • Coach, develop, and provide day-to-day management and support to the Merchandise Assistant, fostering growth and high performance. • Create an environment of continuous development, sharing knowledge of merchandising processes to build team capability over time. Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans) • Ensure fans can buy great quality fanwear when and where they want by optimising stock availability across retail, event, and digital channels. • Make promotional and markdown recommendations based on rigorous analysis and scenario modelling, ensuring fans are served compelling and timely offers. • Produce post-event analysis and trade reviews to continuously improve the fan-facing range and product availability. • Collaborate with the Branch Merchandiser to optimise retail and event stock packages that meet fan demand at key moments. Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit) • Build and maintain scenario models to support promotional planning and markdown decision-making, identifying opportunities ahead of market trends. • Leverage WSSI inputs — including Intake and Markdown — to generate accurate forecasts and proactively manage financial risk. • Review historical data and financial trends to contribute to department strategy and inform forward-looking budgeting decisions. • Apply analytical thinking to ongoing trade reports, surfacing actionable insights that drive sales and protect margin. Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset) • Own order management and critical path oversight, ensuring on-time intake and delivery to hit launch targets and stock commitments. • Work directly with suppliers to maintain the critical path and delivery schedule, resolving issues with urgency and accountability. • Manage key WSSI inputs with precision, ensuring intake and markdown data reflect the most current trading position. • Step up to support events and peak trading periods as required, including weekend and late-night working when the business demands it. AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to: • Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes • Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance • Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working • Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING Required Qualifications: • Solid merchandising background gained within a fast-paced retail environment, with demonstrable experience across the full merchandising cycle. • Proven working knowledge of WSSI processes, including management of Intake and Markdown inputs to drive accurate forecasting. • Experience in order management and critical path ownership, with the ability to work directly with suppliers to maintain delivery schedules. • Strong analytical skills with experience producing trade analysis, promotional scenario models, and post-event reviews. • Working knowledge of Allocation and Replenishment, Promotion and Markdown planning, and Product Set Up. • Experience in people management or coaching preferred, with a demonstrated ability to develop and support junior team members. • Ability to work flexibly, including additional hours around events and peak trading periods, as reasonably required. WORK LOCATION Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Manchester, subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week. At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team. ABOUT US Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. ABOUT THE TEAM Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com. Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do: · Build Championship Teams · Obsessed with Fans · Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit · Determined and Relentless Mindset By submitting your application, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our Candidate Privacy Policy.