Director of Retail & Merchandise
Sacramento Republic FC
2 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
Sacramento, California, United States
$75,000 - $85,000 USD yearly
ABOUT SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC:
Sacramento Republic FC is one of the most dynamic and community-driven clubs in American soccer and is entering the most transformational era in its history with the development of a new stadium in the heart of California’s capital city. This project will redefine sports, entertainment, and culture in Sacramento for decades to come. As the Club prepares for this next chapter, the Retail & Merchandise Department plays a critical role in driving growth, revenue, and long-term brand affinity.
Sacramento Republic FC is one of the most dynamic and community-driven clubs in American soccer and is entering the most transformational era in its history with the development of a new stadium in the heart of California’s capital city. This project will redefine sports, entertainment, and culture in Sacramento for decades to come. As the Club prepares for this next chapter, the Retail & Merchandise Department plays a critical role in driving growth, revenue, and long-term brand affinity.
DIRECTOR OF MERCHANDISE AND RETAIL: OVERVIEW
The Director of Retail & Merchandise will lead the overall retail and merchandise strategy for Sacramento Republic FC, driving revenue growth while elevating the club's brand through best-in-class products, retail experiences, and fan engagement. This role owns all aspects of the retail business, including merchandise planning, buying, inventory strategy, product development, vendor relationships, e-commerce, and retail performance across all channels.
The Director will partner closely with the Brand & Creative team to bring Sacramento Republic FC's identity, culture, and ambitions to life through merchandise, retail environments, and fan purchasing experiences.
A critical component of this role will be leading the vision and development of the club's retail presence within the new downtown stadium, including the flagship team store and all retail touchpoints, creating a premium, memorable, and revenue-generating fan experience on matchdays and beyond.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Retail Strategy & Revenue Ownership
● Lead the overall retail business, driving revenue growth across stadium, e-commerce, event, and partner retail channels
Retail Strategy & Revenue Ownership
● Lead the overall retail business, driving revenue growth across stadium, e-commerce, event, and partner retail channels
● Develop annual retail plans, sales goals, and merchandise strategies that support the club's business objectives
● Create and execute seasonal product strategies aligned with key club moments, including kit launches, playoffs, community initiatives, and the opening of the new stadium
● Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities through collaborations, limited-edition collections, licensing, player merchandise, and premium product offerings
● Use sales performance, customer insights, and market trends to inform buying decisions, optimize product assortment, and improve overall business performance
● Regularly evaluate retail results and adjust strategies to maximize revenue, profitability, and fan engagement
● Create and execute seasonal product strategies aligned with key club moments, including kit launches, playoffs, community initiatives, and the opening of the new stadium
● Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities through collaborations, limited-edition collections, licensing, player merchandise, and premium product offerings
● Use sales performance, customer insights, and market trends to inform buying decisions, optimize product assortment, and improve overall business performance
● Regularly evaluate retail results and adjust strategies to maximize revenue, profitability, and fan engagement
Buying, Planning & Inventory Strategy
● Lead all buying decisions across product categories (apparel, headwear, accessories, novelty)
● Lead all buying decisions across product categories (apparel, headwear, accessories, novelty)
● Build a balanced and intentional product mix (core, trend, premium, youth, women's, lifestyle)
● Manage the product lifecycle from concept through sell-through and replenishment
● Develop and manage open-to-buy plans, inventory forecasts, and seasonal assortment strategies
● Partner with the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory to ensure effective allocation, replenishment, and inventory productivity across all retail channels
● Manage the product lifecycle from concept through sell-through and replenishment
● Develop and manage open-to-buy plans, inventory forecasts, and seasonal assortment strategies
● Partner with the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory to ensure effective allocation, replenishment, and inventory productivity across all retail channels
Vendor & Brand Relationships
● Own relationships with key partners and manufacturers (league partners, apparel brands, local collaborators)
● Own relationships with key partners and manufacturers (league partners, apparel brands, local collaborators)
● Source and develop new vendor relationships to expand product offerings
● Negotiate pricing, margins, exclusivity opportunities, and partnership agreements
● Negotiate pricing, margins, exclusivity opportunities, and partnership agreements
Product Development & Storytelling
● Partner with the Brand & Creative team, manufacturers, and vendors to develop unique merchandise collections aligned with club identity and fan demand
● Partner with the Brand & Creative team, manufacturers, and vendors to develop unique merchandise collections aligned with club identity and fan demand
● Develop strategic collaborations and limited-edition collections that expand the club's reach beyond traditional sports merchandise
● Ensure merchandise reflects the culture, community, and identity of Sacramento
● Develop and execute player-focused merchandise initiatives, including signature products, capsule collections, and collaborative releases that deepen fan connection and create new revenue opportunities
● Build relationships with players and technical staff to identify opportunities for merchandise collaborations, milestone collections, and fan-driven product offerings
● Ensure merchandise reflects the culture, community, and identity of Sacramento
● Develop and execute player-focused merchandise initiatives, including signature products, capsule collections, and collaborative releases that deepen fan connection and create new revenue opportunities
● Build relationships with players and technical staff to identify opportunities for merchandise collaborations, milestone collections, and fan-driven product offerings
E-Commerce & Retail Performance
● Partner with Marketing to drive e-commerce strategy and performance
● Partner with Marketing to drive e-commerce strategy and performance
● Oversee digital merchandising, promotions, and product placement
● Analyze sales data, customer behavior, and inventory trends to inform strategy and forecasting
● Analyze sales data, customer behavior, and inventory trends to inform strategy and forecasting
Retail Operations, Systems & Analytics
● Partner closely with Operations, Finance, Technology, and the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory to ensure retail systems, reporting, inventory controls, and operational workflows support business growth
● Partner closely with Operations, Finance, Technology, and the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory to ensure retail systems, reporting, inventory controls, and operational workflows support business growth
● Leverage retail and e-commerce systems to improve inventory visibility, forecasting, reporting, and decision-making
● Utilize customer insights and business analytics to optimize assortment, pricing, and purchasing decisions
● Utilize customer insights and business analytics to optimize assortment, pricing, and purchasing decisions
Retail Experience & Stadium Store Development
● Serve as the retail lead in the planning, design, and execution of the club's flagship team store and all stadium retail locations within the new downtown stadium
● Serve as the retail lead in the planning, design, and execution of the club's flagship team store and all stadium retail locations within the new downtown stadium
● Lead all retail planning associated with the stadium opening, including product strategy, launch collections, inventory planning, staffing models, retail activation plans, and operational readiness
● Partner with stadium development, architects, designers, operations, and technology teams to establish the retail infrastructure, systems, inventory strategy, and operational processes required to successfully launch and scale retail operations
● Define and optimize retail experiences across matchdays, non-matchdays, and special events
● Lead the development of a premium, brand-forward retail environment that goes beyond a traditional team store and serves as a flagship destination for SRFC fans and visitors
● Ensure operational functionality is built into the design, including inventory flow, storage, replenishment, and point-of-sale efficiency
● Develop and manage a cohesive retail ecosystem that expands the club's reach beyond matchday, including the main team store, stadium retail locations, e-commerce, pop-ups, mobile retail, and strategic third-party retail partnerships (Sky River, UCDH, etc.)
● Partner with stadium development, architects, designers, operations, and technology teams to establish the retail infrastructure, systems, inventory strategy, and operational processes required to successfully launch and scale retail operations
● Define and optimize retail experiences across matchdays, non-matchdays, and special events
● Lead the development of a premium, brand-forward retail environment that goes beyond a traditional team store and serves as a flagship destination for SRFC fans and visitors
● Ensure operational functionality is built into the design, including inventory flow, storage, replenishment, and point-of-sale efficiency
● Develop and manage a cohesive retail ecosystem that expands the club's reach beyond matchday, including the main team store, stadium retail locations, e-commerce, pop-ups, mobile retail, and strategic third-party retail partnerships (Sky River, UCDH, etc.)
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
● Directly supervise the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory and provide leadership to the club's retail team
● Directly supervise the Manager of Retail Operations & Inventory and provide leadership to the club's retail team
● Work closely with Marketing, Creative, Operations, Ticket Sales, Partnerships, Community, Finance, and Stadium Development teams to align retail strategy with broader club initiatives
- Serve as the club's subject matter expert on retail, merchandise, and fan purchasing behavior
QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience
● 6-10+ years of experience in retail, merchandising, product strategy, or brand management (sports, apparel, lifestyle, entertainment, or destination retail preferred)
● 6-10+ years of experience in retail, merchandising, product strategy, or brand management (sports, apparel, lifestyle, entertainment, or destination retail preferred)
● Proven ability to build product assortments and drive revenue growth
● Experience managing vendor, manufacturer, and retail partner relationships
● Strong understanding of consumer trends, brand building, and fan behavior
● Experience in multi-channel retail environments (in-store and e-commerce)
● Experience opening, renovating, or significantly expanding a retail operation strongly preferred
● Highly analytical with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy
● Strong collaborator with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
● Experience managing vendor, manufacturer, and retail partner relationships
● Strong understanding of consumer trends, brand building, and fan behavior
● Experience in multi-channel retail environments (in-store and e-commerce)
● Experience opening, renovating, or significantly expanding a retail operation strongly preferred
● Highly analytical with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy
● Strong collaborator with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
Success Expectations:
● Retail becomes a meaningful and growing revenue driver for the club
● Retail becomes a meaningful and growing revenue driver for the club
● Sacramento Republic FC merchandise is viewed as a leading sports and lifestyle brand in the region
● The new stadium team store opens as a flagship fan destination and best-in-class retail experience
● Product launches consistently drive fan engagement, excitement, and revenue growth
● Retail operations scale successfully to support a 20,000-seat stadium environment
● The new stadium team store opens as a flagship fan destination and best-in-class retail experience
● Product launches consistently drive fan engagement, excitement, and revenue growth
● Retail operations scale successfully to support a 20,000-seat stadium environment
WORKING CONDITIONS
● Position based in Sacramento, in office five days per week.
● Position based in Sacramento, in office five days per week.
● Occasional evening, weekend, or event-related work may be required.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
● Full-time, exempt position.
● Full-time, exempt position.
● Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance.
● 401(k) with employer match.
● Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule
● 401(k) with employer match.
● Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule
We are proud to be an equal opportunity/veterans/disabled/ LGBT employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.