Manager, Brands

Princeton University Retail; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Princeton University Store is a self-sustaining, not-for-profit, member-based corporation operating as a cooperative. The Manager, Brands drives inventory strategy, demand planning, and merchandise execution across stores, ecommerce, events, and University programs.

With a broad catalog of branded apparel, gifts, and related merchandise, the role focuses on accurate purchasing, vendor onboarding, and timely deliveries while collaborating with partners to optimize assortment and availability.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail merchandise operations with inventory planning and vendor coordination.
• Proficient in demand planning, assortment planning, and inventory productivity metrics.
• Strong Excel and NetSuite for analysis and purchasing; experience with Shopify and POS for ecommerce/retail integration.
• Technically adept at improving workflows with automation and AI; communicates clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with dependable follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Plan demand and manage inventory across stores, ecommerce, events, and programs.
• Manage purchasing, reconciliation, and vendor communications to ensure timely deliveries.
• Coordinate vendors and item records, costs, prices, and product information.
• Ensure merchandise is available for sale through receiving, stores, and launches.
• Translate plans into merchandise requirements and delivery schedules with internal teams.
• Propose adjustments based on selling patterns, margins, and demand.

Skills

Inventory management

Demand planning

Vendor coordination

Data analysis

Automation and AI tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/merchandising

Tools

Excel

NetSuite

Shopify

POS systems

Job description

The Princeton University Store is a self-sustaining, not-for-profit, member-based corporation that operates as a cooperative. We are an independent retailer.

We operate two locations in Princeton, serve major campus and community events, and manage an ecommerce business that ships throughout the United States and internationally.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Brands is a merchandising role focused on inventory management, demand planning, and merchandise execution. The position helps put the right product at the right price in the right place at the right time across stores, ecommerce, events, and University programs.

The business spans more than 23,000 SKUs, an extensive vendor base, and a variety of categories of branded apparel, accessories, gifts, and related merchandise. Responsibilities extend from vendor onboarding and purchasing through receipt, purchase order and invoice reconciliation, and availability for sale.

The manager brings analytical judgment, technical aptitude, and precise follow-through to multiple concurrent priorities. Working closely with vendors, University partners, and internal teams, this person establishes reliable processes and uses systems, automation, and AI tools to anticipate needs, identify exceptions, and move plans through completion.

Principal Responsibilities

• Plan demand and manage inventory. Analyze sales, stock, turn, outstanding orders, vendor lead times, and seasonal demand. Recommend order quantities, replenishment, assortment depth, and receipt timing. Identify shortages and excess inventory, and act promptly in accordance with approved plans.
• Manage purchasing and reconciliation. Create and maintain accurate purchase orders. Track commitments, deliveries, and receipts. Resolve quantity, cost, freight, and invoice discrepancies with vendors, Operations, and Finance and Accounting to facilitate timely payment.
• Coordinate vendors and merchandise data. Complete vendor onboarding and maintain accurate item records, costs, prices, and product information. Communicate requirements, monitor vendor performance, and resolve outstanding issues.
• Ensure merchandise is available for sale. Coordinate with receiving, stores, ecommerce, and Marketing to move merchandise through delivery, processing, and launch. Confirm quantities, locations, and readiness, resolving issues that affect availability.
• Execute University merchandise programs. Work with University staff, administrators, academic departments, and Athletics to translate approved plans into merchandise requirements and delivery schedules. Coordinate vendors and internal teams to ensure merchandise is available when and where required, including urgent needs, scheduled launches, and major events.
• Support assortment productivity. Recommend adjustments based on selling patterns, margin, inventory turnover, and customer demand. Maintain clear records of decisions, commitments, and next actions.
• Improve processes and systems. Establish repeatable workflows and optimize merchandise systems, reporting, automation, and AI tools to manage activity at scale. Develop exception reporting and alerts to identify shortages, overdue orders, data errors, and unresolved issues. Reduce manual work while maintaining accuracy and accountability.

Experience and Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in retail merchandise operations, buying, or planning, with direct responsibility for inventory, replenishment, purchasing, and vendor coordination across a substantial assortment.
• Strong command of demand planning, assortment planning, inventory productivity, and merchandise financial measures.
• Strong Excel and NetSuite proficiency for analysis, purchasing, demand planning, and inventory management; working knowledge of Shopify ecommerce and POS to support the company’s migration and ongoing operations.
• High technical aptitude, with demonstrated ability to improve workflows and apply automation and AI tools effectively. Sound judgment in validating outputs and protecting company information.
• Accurate, organized execution across multiple priorities, with clear communication, sound judgment, and dependable followthrough.
• Ability to work effectively with vendors, University partners, and colleagues to move projects from planning through completion.
• Experience with apparel, accessories, gifts, or related specialty retail categories; licensed merchandise experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, or a related field required.

Schedule and Work Location

This is a hybrid position, not a fully remote role. Regular on-site work is required to understand the merchandise, stores, customers, and operating environment and to participate in merchandise reviews, planning, meetings, launches, testing, training, and peak periods.

The frequency of on-site work will vary according to business needs and may increase during major initiatives and seasonal periods. Occasional early-morning, evening, or weekend work may be required for launches, system releases, major events, or urgent customer-impacting issues.