Trade Merchandising Lead

About Us 

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 4,100 associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world. 

 

The Trade Merchandising Lead will report to the Director, Trade Merchandising, driving the end-to-end process of planning, development, and execution for in-store displays that support the SharkNinja product portfolio, ensuring our execution is on time, on budget, and maximizing conversion at shelf.  

Key Characteristics:

• Rarely Satisfied – Has a burning desire to win, driving themselves and others to push for personal, daily improvement
• Progress Over Perfection – Makes quick, daily progress and continuously adapts to achieve iterative results rather than requiring perfect planning
• Details Make the Difference – Strives to fully understand the situation, opportunity, or problem, learning what might be below the surface as to get ahead of it
• Winning is a Team Sport – Collaborates with many cross-functional colleagues to collectively win, understanding and appreciating that differences exist between cultures around the globe as it relates to attitudes, values, perceptions, preferences, and behaviors
• Communicates for Impact – Communicates effectively, honestly, and directly with others via verbal and written communication, asking bold questions of colleagues and leaders
• Operates with a spirit of continuous inquiry; open to challenges and demonstrates a deep understanding of possible directions and tactics, deploying personal creativity to tackle tough problems
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data, connect insights across functions, and translate findings into actionable recommendations
• Nimble, agile, and resourceful; turns challenges into opportunities; goes beyond highlighting problems and shows up with a mindset to solve every problem and presents possible solutions
• Leads cross-functionally, with an unsatiable curiosity and desire to find mutually beneficial solutions which motivate and satisfy stakeholders
• Enjoys the freedom to learn and grow in a passionate environment
• Manages many projects and tasks at once while meeting or exceeding deadlines
• Embraces transparency and shifting priorities while learning from each decision
• Demonstrates a keen ability to influence others without direct authority

Key Responsibilities:

Display Planning and Coordination:  

• For applicable accounts, own display project plan: budget, needs, quantities, and set timelines
• Drive cross-functional alignment to display project plan
• Collaborate with China Planners and NPD Planners to manage display builds, ensuring all specifications (AW, PIS, ID Specs) are uploaded
• Communicate distribution display lists to guarantee 100% accuracy in handling and delivery
• Oversee the creation of in-store fact tags, display labels, box prints, club pallet mock-ups, and other display materials  

Tracking and Reporting:  

• Monitor display commitments, milestones, and program statuses to ensure all initiatives remain on track and on budget, addressing corrective actions as needed
• Provide updates on production timelines to key stakeholders, including brand, sales, operations, PMO, logistics, supply chain, and vendor teams, ensuring 100% on-time and budget delivery
• Assist with forecasting, order tracking, and shipping coordination in collaboration with sales, supply planning, and demand teams
• Conduct root cause analysis to resolve issues related to display inventory, account orders, and shipping status 

Vendor and Stakeholder Collaboration:  

• Conduct reviews with vendors to ensure timely delivery and clear expectations regarding timelines and quality standards
• Manage the receipt of product CAD files and oversee the internal and external approval process for display structures and creative assets
• Collaborate with product development, creative, and brand teams to meet vendor requirements
• Ensure retailer-specific guidelines are followed and maintain display setup sheets within retailer portals 

Order and Logistics Management:  

• Manage PO creation and reporting to ensure timely processing and delivery of purchase orders
• Track display builds from vendor pickup to final delivery, ensuring a smooth process and timely execution
• Oversee SKU authentications and coordinate display setup in retailer portals
• Proactively monitor display orders and shipments to address discrepancies and ensure accurate timelines 

Special Projects and Ad Hoc Duties:  

• Perform ad hoc analytics and support special projects as needed
• Assist in the kickoff of new display projects in collaboration with key cross functional teams, managing critical production and delivery steps 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or equivalent professional experience
• 2-5 years of professional experience, preferably with exposure to retail or merchandising environments
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions
• Excellent analytical and technical skills to gather and analyze large sets of data and create reports for management
• Ability to work cross functionally and under pressure
• See change as an opportunity not roadblock
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build, develop and maintain solid relationships
• Proven analytical, organizational and time management skills