Merchandising Consultant

POSITION SUMMARY 

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.’s Merchandising Consultant (Contract), will be responsible for defining the vision and strategic roadmap for merchandise and special editions developed exclusively for sale across the direct-to-consumer channels, marketplace, and social commerce, catering to the most ardent fans of Bandai Namco’s franchises.  

They will be working collaboratively with internal teams such as management to propose plans for merchandise and special editions, and external stakeholders, including licensing partners and external vendors. The Merchandise Consultant, Contractor will develop a merchandise pipeline that builds demand and drives sales conversion for key brand & corporate events and initiatives. The Merchandise Planner, Contractor will focus on strategizing the merchandise plan and setting up a sustainable business model with profitability.  

Join us at our new campus in Irvine, California where a hybrid work schedule will be observed.

The duration of this contract role will be 12 months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Cost Negotiation and Margin Optimization: Negotiate pricing, freight, and MOQ with suppliers (domestic and international) to ensure the best cost structure while maintaining merchandise quality and meeting profitability requirements. Review bids from multiple suppliers to secure optimal financial outcomes. 

• Diversifies vendor selections to expand product assortments, request multiple bids to ensure competitive pricing, and reduces risks by broadening supplier options. 

• Review project statuses and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet our deliverables on time to maximize sales opportunities and cohesive on-time merchandise launches. 

• Create and maintain P&L to meet the team’s margin requirements, with a focus on royalty fees and packaging estimates. 

• Act as a liaison to our internal and external partners, including BNEI, to conduct negotiations with domestic and international suppliers, managing overseas vendors, and follow compliance processes. 

• Research different products, including competitors’ product catalogs, to create a competitive advantage for new product launches that will entice Bandai Namco customers to visit the eStore. 

• Responsible for the end-to-end management of merchandise, including developing and analyzing merchandise data from concept to completion, updating and tracking merchandise project statuses, and evaluating the pricing, sales figures, product, customer feedback, strategies profitability and market demand for our products.    

• Identifies and engages foreign vendors, leading the end-to-end RFP process to evaluate and select suitable suppliers. 

• Evaluate and provide recommendations to improve the processes supporting the development of merchandise, including managing import/export processes, communication with external vendors on matters such as payment terms (including FOB and other key terms), maintaining merchandise quality, and ensuring best cost structure. 

• Responsible for identifying areas of improvement for current processes and building and optimizing standard policy and processes (SOP) for merchandise planning, development, procurement and delivery to the end user.  

• Manages relevant software such as the ERP system and other project management tools to complete tasks such as tracking and updating project statuses. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS 

• BA or higher in Business Management or a related field or equivalent experience 

• 5+ years of relevant experience in the video game industry, or video games merchandise, or entertainment industry, or toy & collectibles or cross category online retail 

• Excellent organization, project management and problem-solving skills and able to prioritize assignments appropriately.  

• Excellent communication skills, including being able to effectively manage cross-functional coordination across various teams, and effectively provide reports and presentations 
• Experience in merchandising planning, strategies and packaging designs, including being able to manage complex long-tailed merch development and navigate through ambiguity. 
• Experience in direct-to-consumer (DTC) business, eCommerce related channels and best practices in running online business as well as online KPIs 
• Fluency in software relevant to the role, such as Microsoft Suite and an ERP system 
• Existing relationships with established network of vendors 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Project management certification preferred (PMP, CPM) 

• Certified Product Manager (CPM) or New Product Development Professional (NPDP) preferred 

SALARY RANGE

$90,000 - $110,000

Actual base salary will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs. The salary range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees and it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is providing the following notice regarding the Personal Information we collect and use in the context of this job application: https://www.bandainamcoent.com/legal/bnea-privacy-ccpanotice

About Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., part of the Bandai Namco Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for major video game consoles, PC, online, and mobile platforms. The company is known for creating many of the industry’s beloved classic franchises such as PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®, and publishing the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS™ series and the blockbuster title ELDEN RING™. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is also the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime-based video games including GUNDAM™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE®. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com.