Brand Activation Merchandise Specialist

Kids for the Future; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Links Unlimited, Inc. in Cincinnati seeks a Brand Activation Merchandise Specialist to translate client ideas into products, displays, and merchandising solutions, serving as the liaison between customers and vendor partners to deliver projects on time.

You will develop creative merchandising solutions, source premium retail products and POS materials, manage fixtures and displays, and coordinate artwork approvals, purchase orders, and production schedules.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of merchandising experience.
• Experience sourcing POS materials, fixtures, and promo products.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with creativity, quality, budgets and deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with Excel/Office; ERP or procurement systems a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative merchandising solutions aligned with client brands, budgets, and timelines.
• Source premium retail products, promo merchandise, and POS materials.
• Source and manage custom fixtures and displays with suppliers.
• Research trends to bring fresh ideas to programs.
• Prepare recommendations, pricing, samples, and presentations.
• Manage projects from sourcing through production and delivery, including artwork approvals and orders.
• Negotiate pricing and lead times with supplier partners.
• Collaborate with Sales, Creative, Client Success, Operations, and Logistics from concept to execution.
• Monitor status and communicate solutions proactively.
• Maintain accurate product, pricing, and project data in systems.
• Pursue opportunities to improve processes and client experience.

Skills

Merchandising experience

Vendor management

Negotiation skills

Project coordination

Communication

Ownership mindset

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

ERP / procurement systems

Job description

• Employee Type FT Exempt

Description

Brand Activation Merchandise Specialist

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Links Unlimited, Inc. is one of Cincinnati's largest privately held companies and a leader in branded merchandise, consumer product sourcing, and brand activation solutions. We partner with leading brands to bring ideas and activations to life through product sourcing, creative merchandising, retail fixtures and displays, decoration, packaging, fulfillment, and more.

We're looking for a Brand Activation Merchandise Specialist who can bridge creativity and execution. This role will translate customer ideas into products, displays, and merchandising solutions, serving as the liaison between the customer and vendor partners to bring each project to life. The ideal candidate can visualize what the customer is trying to create, has experience with retail fixtures and displays, can identify the right products and solutions, and can manage the details needed to deliver the final product accurately, efficiently, and on time.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop creative merchandising solutions that align with client brands, objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Source premium retail products, promotional merchandise, custom products, and POS materials that balance creativity, quality, functionality, and cost.
• Source and manage custom retail fixtures, displays, and merchandising hardware, partnering with suppliers to deliver functional, brand-compliant retail solutions.
• Research emerging products, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to client programs.
• Prepare product recommendations, pricing, samples, and merchandising presentations that support client objectives.
• Manage merchandising projects from sourcing through production and delivery, coordinating artwork approvals, purchase orders, production schedules, and shipping timelines.
• Build strong relationships with supplier partners to negotiate pricing, identify sourcing opportunities, and ensure on-time delivery.
• Partner with Sales, Creative Services, Client Success, Operations, and Logistics to bring merchandising concepts from ideation through final execution.
• Monitor project status, anticipate challenges, and proactively communicate solutions before they impact the client.
• Maintain accurate product, pricing, supplier, and project information within company systems.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve merchandising processes, elevate client programs, and enhance the overall customer experience.

What We're Looking For

• 3-5+ years of merchandising experience, preferably supporting beverage alcohol brands, including on-premise/off-premise brand activations and POS merchandising programs.
• Experience sourcing Point-of-Sale (POS) materials, custom retail fixtures and displays, promotional merchandise, and branded products for on-premise and/or off-premise marketing programs.
• Strong product sourcing, vendor management, and negotiation skills, including pricing, production timelines, and supplier coordination.
• Proven ability to manage multiple merchandising projects simultaneously while balancing creativity, quality, budgets, and deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office; experience with ERP, procurement, or order management systems is a plus.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable taking ownership from concept through execution in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.