Senior manager, merchandising (promotional products)

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

Location: This role is based in Woodinville, WA and requires you to work onsite 4 days per week, with 1 day remote. To be considered, you must live within commuting distance, as regular in-person collaboration is a key part of the role.

About BDA
BDA brings the world’s biggest brands to life through promotional merchandise. Fortune 500 companies come to us to connect with their consumers on an emotional level. We create three-dimensional advertising that people invite into their homes, offices, cars, and classrooms allowing them to see, touch, and experience a brand in a way no other marketing can. We call it the Power of Merchandise.

Our culture is rooted in creativity, accountability, and collaboration. We take great pride in being a workplace that inspires teamwork and innovation while rewarding high achievement. With millions of branded items produced and delivered globally each year, BDA continues to set the standard for creativity, quality, and operational excellence in branded merchandise for the world’s most admired companies.

Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Merchandising is a key leader within BDA’s merchandising organization, responsible for leading and developing a team of merchandising professionals and driving merchandising strategy and execution across assigned clients and categories.

Reporting to the Director, Global Merchandising, this role provides day-to-day leadership for the merchandising team, setting priorities, establishing clear accountability, and ensuring the team delivers strong product strategies and assortments that meet client and business objectives. The Senior Manager works closely with New Business Development, Client Services, Design, Global Sourcing, Merchandise Planning, Purchasing, and Operations to connect client needs, product opportunities, financial performance, and execution.

This leader brings strong merchandising expertise and product knowledge to the business, using trends, client insights, and performance data to guide the team’s decisions, identify opportunities, and continuously improve merchandise programs. The Senior Manager also plays an active role with clients, participating in business reviews, product presentations, strategic discussions, and new-business opportunities while developing a high-performing merchandising team that can support BDA’s continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development
  Lead, coach, and develop a team of merchandising professionals, creating clear expectations, accountability, and ownership across the team.
• Merchandising Strategy & Execution
  Lead the development and execution of merchandising strategies across assigned clients, programs, and product categories.
• Client & Business Partnership
  Serve as a senior merchandising partner to NBD, Client Services, and key clients.
• Product Performance & Financial Results
  Lead the merchandising team's review of sales, margin, inventory, sell-through, in-stock performance, and other key business measures.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  Build strong partnerships across NBD, Client Services, Design, Global Sourcing, Merchandise Planning, Purchasing, Operations, Logistics, and Compliance.
• Trends, Product & Innovation
  Ensure the merchandising team maintains a strong understanding of retail, consumer, apparel, lifestyle, cultural, and promotional merchandise trends.

Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, Marketing, Design, or related field preferred. 7+ years of progressive experience in merchandising, product development, category management, retail, consumer goods, or promotional merchandise. 3+ years of experience leading and developing people and teams.

Position Details
Budget Accountability: Full accountability for merchandising budgets, COGS, and category-level margin management. Partners with Finance and Operations to ensure accurate forecasting and profitability tracking.

Why Join BDA
This is a rare opportunity to shape the sourcing backbone of a global company on track to reach $1B in revenue. You will be joining a culture that values creativity, operational excellence, and bold leadership all while driving the innovation, partnerships, and performance that define the Power of Merchandise.

BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.