Sr Merchandiser, Implementations

Description:

We are HALO! We connect people and brands to create unforgettable, meaningful, and lasting experiences that build brand engagement and loyalty for our over 60,000 clients globally. Our nearly 2,000 employees and 1,000 Account Executives located in 40+ sales offices across the United States are the reason HALO is the global leader in branded merchandise, uniform programs, and recognition and incentive solutions.

HALO is seeking a Senior Merchandiser, Implementations responsible for owning and leading the merchandising workstream for newly awarded client programs. This role architecturally builds each client program from the ground up while driving product ideation, sourcing strategy, and assortment innovation. The Senior Merchandiser establishes the assortment vision, pricing structure, margin framework, vendor partnerships, and operational foundations necessary to deliver scalable, profitable long-term growth.

Serving as the merchandising authority during implementation, this role translates sold-in strategy into differentiated product concepts and commercially viable assortments. The Senior Merchandiser leads the development of curated product ideas, identifies sourcing pathways across domestic and overseas partners, and evaluates materials, decoration techniques, construction, and cost structures to achieve both brand alignment and financial discipline.

Partnering closely with Business Development, Account Leadership, Implementation Program Management, Creative, Category Merchants, Sourcing, Inventory, and Operations, this role ensures the commercial vision is not only executed with precision but elevated through thoughtful product innovation, strategic vendor selection, and disciplined margin management.

This position sets the tone, structure, and commercial framework for each new client relationship while maintaining a hands-on approach to ensure execution excellence.

Candidates should be prepared to share visual examples of past assortments, launch strategies, or implementation work during the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead merchandising strategy for newly awarded accounts, ensuring alignment with the commercial vision, pricing architecture, and margin commitments established during the sales process.
• Translate RFP strategy and client commitments into scalable assortment architecture, defining SKU strategy, pricing tiers, margin targets, and long-term growth pathways.
• Analyze historical sales reports, transition inventory data, and prior SKU performance to inform assortment decisions, minimize financial risk, and optimize continuity during program migration.
• Conduct comprehensive research on brand positioning, competitive landscape, consumer segmentation, and industry dynamics to shape initial product direction.
• Establish foundational product standards including decoration guidelines, quality thresholds, vendor strategy, and compliance expectations.
• Validate costing structures, pricing logic, and margin integrity prior to launch; proactively identify risk and course-correct.
• Collaborate with Category Merchants and Sourcing to influence vendor selection, negotiate costing, secure production timelines, and protect profitability.
• Develop strategic product presentations in collaboration with Creative that clearly articulate curated assortments, innovation, and pricing strategy, ensuring alignment with the client’s brand and business objectives.
• Align closely with Business Development and Account Leadership to ensure seamless continuity between what was sold and what is launched.
• Lead complex domestic and overseas product development initiatives to meet brand, quality, and financial objectives.
• Oversee decoration standards, product specifications, and quality expectations to maintain brand consistency.
• Ensure SKU setup accuracy, product data governance, art asset organization, proof approvals, and sample validation.
• Manage and approve final product details, e-commerce copy, imagery, specifications, and size architecture to ensure brand alignment and accuracy.
• Partner with Implementation Program Management to build detailed workback schedules and hold cross-functional teams accountable to launch milestones.
• Align with Inventory and Operations teams to ensure onboarding, forecasting accuracy, fulfillment readiness, and risk mitigation.
• Document assortment rationale, pricing strategy, and vendor decisions to ensure seamless transition to ongoing merchandising & account management.
• Identify early optimization levers that position accounts for margin expansion and sustainable growth post-launch.
• Drive process refinement and contribute to scalable implementation standards that improve speed-to-market and operational efficiency.
• Mentor and support junior team members involved in implementation activities.
• Demonstrate leadership through action by stepping into executional details when needed, removing roadblocks, and personally driving deliverables to ensure successful and timely launch outcomes.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Business, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of merchandising, product development, or client-branded program experience; implementation experience preferred.
• Proven ability to architect assortment strategies and pricing frameworks from inception.
• Advanced proficiency in retail math, pricing strategy, margin architecture, and SKU rationalization.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution in high-complexity environments and simultaneous launches.
• Experience influencing cross-functional teams and holding stakeholders accountable to execution timelines.
• Strong understanding of domestic decoration capabilities and overseas sourcing strategy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Illustrator; Jira and Smartsheet experience preferred.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate clearly with senior stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with strong ownership, accountability, and decision-making confidence.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-visibility environments with ambiguity.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to client sites or launch meetings.
• Operates with urgency, precision, and commercial discipline.
• Adaptable, solutions-oriented, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

Compensation: The estimated base salary range for this position is between $70,000 and $90,000 annually. Please note that this pay range serves as a general guideline and reflects a broad spectrum of labor markets across the US. While it is uncommon for candidates to be hired at or near the top of the range, compensation decisions are influenced by various factors. At HALO, these include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's work experience, location, education and training, key skills, internal equity, external market data, and broader market and business considerations.

Benefits: At HALO, we offer benefits that support all aspects of your life, helping you find a work-life balance that’s right for you. Our comprehensive benefits include nationwide coverage for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability insurance, along with additional Voluntary Benefits. Prepare for your financial future with our 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

Application Information: To apply to this opportunity, click the APPLY button at the top right or very bottom of the screen to complete our online application. A resume is optional, so you may choose to upload and have the application prefill with your information. There are 5 sections to complete in total, including General information, Work History, Education, Compliance, and optional demographic questions. Once you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a submission confirmation email from our system.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed and processed only when there is a specific need or opportunity, rather than on a fixed schedule or at a set deadline. Because they are reviewed on an as-needed basis, a job posting will be removed once the position has been filled or is no longer available.

More About HALO:

At HALO, we energize our clients' brands and amplify their stories to capture the attention of those who matter most. That’s why over 60,000 small- and mid-sized businesses partner with us, making us the global leader in the branded merchandise industry.

• Career Advancement: At HALO, we’re passionate about promoting from within. Internal promotions have been key to our exponential growth over the past few years. With so many industry leaders at HALO, you’ll have the opportunity to accelerate your career by learning from their experience, insights, and skills. Plus, you'll gain access to HALO’s influential global network, leadership opportunities, and diverse perspectives.
• Culture: We love working here, and we’re confident you will too. At HALO, you’ll experience a culture of ingenuity, inclusion, and relentless determination. We push the limits of possibility and imagination by staying curious, humble, and bold breaking through yesterday’s limits. Diversity fuels our creativity, and we thrive when each of us contributes to an inclusive environment based on respect, dignity, and equity. We hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence with a commitment to results and supporting one another with accountability, transparency, and dependability.
• Recognition: At HALO, your success is our success. You can count on us to celebrate your wins. Colleagues across the company will join in recognizing your milestones and nominating you for awards. Over time, you’ll accumulate recognition that can be converted into gift cards, trips, concert tickets, and merchandise from your favorite brands.
• Flexibility: Many of our roles offer hybrid work options, and we pride ourselves on flexible schedules that help you balance professional and personal demands. We believe that supporting our customers is a top priority and trust that you and your manager will collaborate to create a schedule that achieves this goal.

HALO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We insist on an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Inclusion is a core value at HALO and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people.

HALO participates in E-Verify. Please see the following notices in English and Spanish for important information: E-Verify Participation and Right to Work.

HALO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at hr@halo.com. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be reviewed and responded to on a case-by-case basis.