Merchandise Category Growth Director

ABOUT US
tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With nearly 1,500 employees across 28 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.
Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including Starbucks, T-Mobile, O2, McDonald's, and adidas.
Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST
Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.
tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.
WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE
The world's most beloved brands don't just have customers, they have fans - communities of loyal advocates willing to show and share their brand love. At tms, our Global Merchandise Services (GMS) team helps brands supply their fan communities with covetable merchandise that unleashes their badge-wearing potential.
We are seeking a strategic and dynamic Merchandise Category Growth Director to drive expansion opportunities, optimize product offerings, and enhance business success for GMS. In this role, you will leverage industry expertise, market insights, and brand retail knowledge to unlock new growth channels. You'll work closely with our product development, merchandising, and sourcing teams to identify high-impact trends, develop data-driven strategies, and strengthen brand partnerships.
We're looking for a results-driven leader with a strong background in retail merchandising, business development, and brand partnerships. The ideal candidate has experience scaling product categories, analyzing customer insights, and fostering collaborative relationships across teams.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION
Lead Generation and Prospect Qualifying

• Develop and execute lead generation strategies, both independently and in partnership with third-party firms
• Manage relationships with third-party lead generation providers, ensuring efficiency and alignment with business goals
• Prospect qualification planning and execution
• Develop and refine pitch strategy for impactful execution and cross-functional alignment
• Provide regular business development status reports to internal partners, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making

Marketing Collaboration

• Partner with the MarComm team to develop compelling and effective marketing materials that support business development effort
• Lead trade show and exhibit planning, coordinating across cross-functional teams for seamless execution

Customer Onboarding

• Legal document execution externally and internally
• Act as the communication lead for cross-functional partners to align new customer objectives and expectations

Growth Strategy and Business Expansion

• Identify emerging trends, market opportunities, and revenue growth strategies for new and existing customers

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with evolving customer demands and industry landscapes
• Lead cross-functional efforts to communicate and execute growth strategies across product development, merchandising, sourcing, and supply chain teams

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Proven experience in scaling brand merchandise businesses and driving revenue growth

• Experience working prospect qualification funnels, with strong ability to convert leads into long term profitable business
• Experience with wholesale and retail product pricing, product margin and revenue models
• Deep interest in collaborating with cross-functional teams across Product Development, Product Merchandising & Creative Studio, Product Sourcing and Supply Chain

• Strong track record of developing and executing business development strategies aligned with customer needs
• Exceptional project management skills, with a proactive and detail-oriented approach

• Curiosity to identify new opportunities and trends with product brands and retail

• Energy and excitement to work with consumer product brands where product design, merchandising and attention to detail is paramount.
• Strong presentation development and delivery skills, with experience engaging C-level executives

• Integrity, interpersonal skills, and a strong sense of humor to foster a positive team environment
• Curiosity for leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business development, merchandising, or a related field

Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years of proven experience across business development and customer relationship management within the consumer product industry

Starting salary between $138,000-$200,000
TOTAL REWARDS
Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:

• Our commitment to rewarding results
• Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers'-and our company's-success

There's more ...
Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits
Paid parental and medical leave programs
401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
15 days of paid time off plus company holidays
Hybrid work model
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance
Inclusive employee resource groups
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
RECRUITING AGENCIES
tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
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Nearest Major Market: Seattle