Merchandising Sourcing & Production Manager

COMPANY 🌱 RYZE was founded in 2019 by Andrée Werner and Rashad Hossain, out of a parents' basement, with a mission to change daily health, starting with the morning routine: a nutrient-dense mushroom coffee delivering clean energy, mental clarity, and immune support. Built on a Direct-to-Consumer foundation with a performance marketing engine, RYZE achieved hockey-stick growth and a community of over 1 million active subscribers. DTC remains the foundation, but RYZE has expanded into mass retail, quickly becoming the #2 items in Target's overall coffee category and is now executing a multi-channel expansion, with a cross-category launch coming in early 2027. RYZE is uniquely positioned to redefine how people think about daily wellness. We’re a lean, fast-moving, mission-driven team who believe daily rituals create the foundation for living your greatest life, and we’re just getting started! WHAT YOU'LL DO 🎯 The Merchandise Sourcing & Production Manager is fully accountable for RYZE’s branded merchandise function — from vendor sourcing and cost management through on-time delivery and inventory control. This is an ownership role, not a coordination role. You set the standard for how merch gets made, what it costs, and when it arrives. Responsibilities will include: Sourcing & Vendor Management - Build and maintain a reliable supplier network that can flex to RYZE’s needs across apparel, drinkware, swag, and other branded goods for retail, events, and internal use. - Source and onboard new vendors; conduct due diligence on quality, capacity, lead times, and cost competitiveness. - Set and track vendor scorecards covering quality, cost, and timeliness — and manage vendors out if they underperform. - Negotiate favorable pricing and terms without compromising quality. Production & Project Management - Own end-to-end production management for all branded merchandise — from creative brief through sampling, approval, production, QC, and delivery. - Build and continuously improve the processes that take merch from concept to delivery. - Manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines simultaneously without losing track of status, risk, or timelines. - Proactively flag timeline risks and have contingency plans in place before they become problems. Budget & Cost Management - Own the merch budget, track spend against plan, and be accountable for hitting cost targets. - Identify and deliver measurable savings through negotiation and sourcing improvements. - Maintain cost transparency across all active projects so there are no budget surprises. Inventory Planning - Own forecasting, reorder timing, and stock minimums across the merch portfolio to prevent stockouts and overruns. - Maintain inventory accuracy and report against a defined baseline. Cross-Functional Partnership - Partner with Creative, Brand, Marketing, and Operations teams to translate concepts into feasible, well-scoped production briefs. - Be the bridge between what the brand envisions and what can realistically be made, sourced, and delivered on time and on budget. Professional Qualifications - Proven experience owning a production or merchandise function — not just coordinating within one. Ideally in merchandise, apparel sourcing, or branded goods. - Track record of managing a budget and being held accountable for cost outcomes. - Strong background in vendor sourcing, procurement, and supplier relationship and performance management. - Skilled negotiator with a track record of securing favorable costs and terms. - Experience with inventory planning and forecasting. - Experience designing and optimizing production workflows. - Familiarity with merch production methods — screen print, embroidery, blanks sourcing — and minimum order quantities. - Comfort working cross-functionally with creative and business teams alike. - Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines Core Compentencies - End-to-end production ownership — Manages from concept brief through sampling, QC, and delivery. Doesn’t hand off and hope; stays accountable through every stage. - Vendor management & negotiation — Builds a supplier network, sets performance standards, holds vendors to them, and negotiates favorable terms without sacrificing quality. - Budget discipline — Owns cost targets, tracks spend in real time, and delivers measurable savings. No budget surprises. - Inventory planning — Forecasts demand, sets reorder points, and manages stock levels to prevent both stockouts and overruns. - Workflow design — Builds and improves the processes that move merch from idea to delivery. Makes the operation faster and more reliable over time. - Cross-functional translation — Converts creative ambition into feasible production briefs. Speaks both brand and operations fluently. WHAT WE OFFER 🌟 - Competitive compensation aligned with experience and market benchmarks. - Comprehensive benefits package - Paid time off and company-observed holidays. - Opportunities for professional growth and development. - A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment. - Access to tools, resources, and training to support success in the role. Originally posted on Himalayas