Freelance Merchandiser
NJ based client is seeking a freelance Merchandiser to support 2 well known accessories brands. This role will help shape seasonal product direction from initial insights and product briefs through assortment planning, SKU decisions, and final buy execution across regional channels and points of distribution.
The Merchandiser will serve as a key regional advocate, partnering closely with Global Mainline Product teams and cross-functional stakeholders in Design, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain. The ideal candidate combines strong commercial judgment, product intuition, and analytical rigor to build compelling assortments that support profitability, consumer relevance, and brand values.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead merchandising coordination for go-to-market process, ensuring timely communication and alignment with cross-functional teams and seasonal calendars.
- Translate product insights, marketplace trends, and regional opportunities into actionable product briefs, assortment strategies, and seasonal recommendations.
- Support seasonal color, concept, SKU architecture, and assortment planning decisions through final buy placement.
- Curate and execute merchandising assortments and presentations for internal partners and external stakeholders.
- Partner with regional and global teams to incorporate local consumer needs and commercial opportunities into product briefs, with Head of Merchandising approval.
- Maintain a broad understanding of brand strategy, key initiatives, consumer targets, and regional market requirements.
- Use weekly sales reporting, KPI analysis, and product performance insights to support product selection, assortment adjustments, and future planning.
- Help ensure assortment decisions balance commercial performance, regional relevance, and brand standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in merchandising, assortment planning, product management, or a related consumer products role.
- Strong understanding of retail, wholesale, product lifecycle management, and go-to-market processes.
- Ability to interpret sales data, KPIs, and market insights to make informed product recommendations.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate across global and regional teams.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with apparel, accessories, bags, footwear, or lifestyle consumer brands is preferred.
