Senior Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising

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.

As we continue to scale our global platform, the Senior Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising, will play a critical role in contributing to business growth, elevating fan experiences, and delivering measurable impact. This role will help strengthen the fan connection, support business performance, and contribute to how we serve hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising, is responsible for delivering meaningful business and fan impact through BOLD leadership capabilities and execution excellence. As a Senior Manager, Local Marketing & Merchandising, you will be responsible for collaborating with our In-Venue Retail partners on marketing, promotions, venue exclusives and local product opportunities. This is a role covering our Midwest territory (EST Operating Hours). Regional candidates local to Ohio and Indiana preferred.
 

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Coordinate merchandise strategy between Fanatics and team partners. Includes, but not limited to:

• New product launches

• Seasonal Strategies

• Key items

• Item of the Game

• Theme Nights

• Local Collaborations & Capsule Collections

• Team-Steered Initiatives

• Events including hot markets, seasonal activity, promotions.

• Develop and manage promotional calendars for each team partner.

• Meet regularly with team partner contacts to brainstorm, collaborate, plan, execute, and evaluate results.

• Obtain feedback regularly from team partners for pre-book deadlines or new product offerings.

• Develop marketing assets at venue on digital, social, & other platforms for featured items, league & team marketing campaigns, item of the game, and all other promotions.

• Identify trend categories & opportunities. Explore incremental sales opportunities through innovative programs that enhance the fan experience.

• Responsible for all facets of a local product assortment, using merchandise data to inform strategies and decisions.

• Partner closely with Buying & Planning to determine financial plans, projections, and maintain open-to-buy.

• Review inventory, maintaining current data on sales and fashion trend.

• Negotiate with vendors relative to product cost, terms, and issues.

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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with 5+ years in sports marketing or retail marketing experience encouraged

• Passion for sports and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

   

• Business and financial savvy

• Strong strategic ability

• Strong written communication skills

• Outstanding verbal communication skills with the ability to influence

• Exhibits high standards and accountability; takes pride in accuracy

• Readily grasps numerical concepts and interprets financial information accurately

• Ability to utilize retail math skills to analyze and drive business

• High aptitude; processes information quickly

• Ability to offer solutions to challenges

• Ability to successfully collaborate with internal and external partners

• Seeks to be the leader, wants to be in a position of influence

• Result-oriented and self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency

• Curious about complex issues or opportunities – ability to view things in new ways or from a different perspective

• Able to independently organize and prioritize broad workload to meet deadlines

• Strong computer skills (intermediate Excel skills necessary)

• Some travel may be required

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.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you'll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.

• Benefits: We provide a wide range of health, financial, legal, and development assistance, including wellness programs with fitness and weight management partners, paid maternity paternity leave, and infertility treatment. Additionally, we offer flexible time off to help you recharge, along with a competitive 401k plan to support your financial future. At Fanatics, we're dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life.