Freelance Merchandiser

About the role

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.

We’re looking for a creative, commercially minded Merchandiser, who will be developing branded merchandise and product assortments for a major home improvement retailer to join our team on a full-time contract basis. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing brands to life through product — combining trend awareness, creative instincts, strong product development skills, and an understanding of what customers actually want to buy.

Work Location: Hybrid or Remote, depending on location. Contract: October 2026 through approximately mid‑April 2027.

Responsibilities

• Participate in assortment planning and strategy discussions, helping identify the right product mix for each client and audience.
• Develop a strong understanding of client brands, target customers, brand guidelines, and aesthetic standards.
• Translate current and emerging trends into creative, commercially relevant product ideas.
• Help drive creative direction for products, graphics, embellishments, packaging, and other product details.
• Partner with internal design teams and external vendors throughout the product development process.
• Build and source strategic, profitable product assortments.
• Present product concepts and creative rationale to internal teams and clients.
• Review tech packs, lab dips, samples, fit reviews, and other product-development details for accuracy and approval.
• Manage development samples and coordinate client review and approval.
• Negotiate with suppliers around pricing, quantities, quality, delivery, and other buying terms.
• Run or participate in merchandise status meetings, client calls, and internal work-in-progress meetings.
• Maintain product status trackers and assortment planning documents.
• Help ensure product development stays on schedule and launches happen on time.
• Partner across compliance, quality, sourcing, design, and other teams to ensure products meet expectations for brand, quality, margin, and execution.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in retail buying, product development, merchandising, merchandise planning, or a related area.
• Experience identifying and interpreting product and consumer trends.
• Ability to use market intelligence and customer insights to inform product decisions.
• Experience developing relevant, profitable product assortments.
• Strong organization and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple products, priorities, and deadlines at once.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and influence across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Buying, Marketing, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Nice to have: Custom cut-and-sew product experience; Custom hard goods product-development experience; Smartsheet experience; PLM and/or Oracle experience.

Pay

Hourly Rate: $38–$40/hour

Schedule

40 hours per week (Hybrid or Remote, depending on location); Contract: October 2026 through approximately mid‑April 2027.