Associate Merchandiser (Hybrid)

We are HALO! We connect people and brands to create unforgettable, meaningful, and lasting experiences that build brand engagement and loyalty for our over 60,000 clients globally. Our nearly 2,000 employees and 1,000 Account Executives located in 40+ sales offices across the United States are the reason HALO is the global leader in branded merchandise, uniform programs, and recognition and incentive solutions.  

HALO is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Associate Program Merchandiser to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, product selection, and execution of annual and seasonal product assortments for client programs. This role is crucial in driving sales, maintaining SKU counts, achieving profitable margins, and ensuring overall client satisfaction. 

Responsibilities:

Product Assortment Management:

· Plan, select, and execute product assortments for e-commerce and catalog products to meet client needs. 

· Ensure profitable margin, maintain SKU count, and drive sales for client programs.

· Use marketplace data, consumer insights, and trend analysis to influence and develop seasonal plans, identifying opportunities and gaps in the current strategy.

Client Relationship & Brand Management:

· Serve as the brand ambassador for clients, establishing strong working relationships and building credibility with stakeholders, including Account Executives and Clients.

· Develop a deep understanding of clients’ brand vision, target market, and product expectations.

· Ensure adherence to client brand guidelines, including color palette, logo use, and product restrictions.

Project Management & Collaboration:

· Collaborate with Program Management to develop and adhere to workback calendars for each project, ensuring on-target launch dates.

· Communicate regularly with cross-functional teams to provide status updates on deliverables and project milestones.

Reporting & Analysis:

· Initiate and analyze relevant reporting from the Inventory team to track business trends and SKU performance.

· Provide recommendations for product discontinuation or markdowns based on sell-through rates and re-order availability.

Product Sourcing & Development:

· Work closely with Category Merchants to source products by providing clear product requirement briefs.

· Manage the acquisition and organization of all client art assets, executing art and decoration requests as needed.

· Create and present high-quality product assortment presentations to clients, explaining the rationale behind selection decisions.

Client Interaction:

· Lead client meetings and presentations, offering merchandising expertise and providing solution-based options to exceed expectations.

· Manage sample requests, reviewing and coordinating delivery to clients.

Compliance & Quality Assurance:

· Ensure all products and labeling comply with industry regulations and standards.

· Manage the proof approval process to confirm products are produced as intended, addressing any quality-related concern

Administrative Duties:

· Confirm the accuracy of item master data for SKU creation, including item information, vendor details, costing, and embellishment details.

· Monitor and recommend solutions for cost increases, out-of-stock situations, discontinued items, or quality issues.

Cross-Functional Communication:

· Cultivate strong cross-functional partnerships with clear and accurate communication.

· Participate in client and cross-functional meetings, providing clear and accurate recap notes.

E-commerce Asset Management:

· Approve all e-commerce-related assets, ensuring accurate and complete product representation for web team hand-off.

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. 
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator, and related software products. 
• Strong understanding of product and consumer trend identification and interpretation.
• Basic retail math skills, including a working knowledge of gross margin and assortment planning.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate situations, identify core issues, and promote thoughtful business solutions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, showing initiative to learn and develop skills.
• Professional demeanor, good judgment, and attention to detail.
• Ability to attend tradeshows, pop-up shops, annual sales meetings and go into the Sterling office to physically review product samples.  This requires walking for long length of time, lifting, standing, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Jira & Smartsheet is a plus.

Compensation: The estimated base salary range for this position is between $45,000 and $55,000 annually. Please note that this pay range serves as a general guideline and reflects a broad spectrum of labor markets across the US. While it is uncommon for candidates to be hired at or near the top of the range, compensation decisions are influenced by various factors. At HALO, these include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's work experience, location, education and training, key skills, internal equity, external market data, and broader market and business considerations. 

Benefits: At HALO, we offer benefits that support all aspects of your life, helping you find a work-life balance that’s right for you. Our comprehensive benefits include nationwide coverage for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability insurance, along with additional Voluntary Benefits. Prepare for your financial future with our 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).  

More About HALO:

At HALO, we energize our clients' brands and amplify their stories to capture the attention of those who matter most. That’s why over 60,000 small- and mid-sized businesses partner with us, making us the global leader in the branded merchandise industry. 

• Career Advancement: At HALO, we’re passionate about promoting from within. Internal promotions have been key to our exponential growth over the past few years. With so many industry leaders at HALO, you’ll have the opportunity to accelerate your career by learning from their experience, insights, and skills. Plus, you'll gain access to HALO’s influential global network, leadership opportunities, and diverse perspectives. 
• Culture: We love working here, and we’re confident you will too. At HALO, you’ll experience a culture of ingenuity, inclusion, and relentless determination. We push the limits of possibility and imagination by staying curious, humble, and bold breaking through yesterday’s limits. Diversity fuels our creativity, and we thrive when each of us contributes to an inclusive environment based on respect, dignity, and equity. We hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence with a commitment to results and supporting one another with accountability, transparency, and dependability. 
• Recognition: At HALO, your success is our success. You can count on us to celebrate your wins. Colleagues across the company will join in recognizing your milestones and nominating you for awards. Over time, you’ll accumulate recognition that can be converted into gift cards, trips, concert tickets, and merchandise from your favorite brands. 
• Flexibility: Many of our roles offer hybrid work options, and we pride ourselves on flexible schedules that help you balance professional and personal demands. We believe that supporting our customers is a top priority and trust that you and your manager will collaborate to create a schedule that achieves this goal. 

HALO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We insist on an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Inclusion is a core value at HALO and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people.

HALO participates in E-Verify. Please see the following notices in English and Spanish for important information: E-Verify Participation and Right to Work.

HALO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at hr@halo.com. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be reviewed and responded to on a case-by-case basis.