Merchandising Sample Coordinator

Balsam Brands is looking for an organized individual to join our growing team.  This individual must be detail-oriented, a great multi-tasker, and someone who “rolls up their sleeves” to take action and enjoys the retail environment.

The Merchandising Sample Coordinator, GE will be responsible for a wide variety of office and warehouse activities.  The Sample Coordinator role is responsible for organizing products for the GE Merchandising team initiatives including but not limited to product development samples, wholesale customer samples, brand photo shoots and PR and press events. The Merchandising Sample Coordinator, GE will work closely with the GE Merchant team processing inbound shipments, inspecting for QA, testing, labelling and organizing samples, and pulling products upon request.  Travel to location shoots and support during shoots is required.

This role will report to the Senior Merchant, GE. 

This is a full-time, in-office (not remote) position located in Burlingame, CA.

·       Work in our Burlingame warehouse and office with our Merchandising team to ensure sample products kept in the warehouse are organized including sample receiving & inventory

·       Pull, ship, and inventory products for Merchandising, Wholesale Customers, and Photo Shoot needs. 

·       Coordinate pulling samples for photo shoots and shipments to suppliers and wholesale customers. 

·       Develop and maintain sample tracker and communicate with factories on sample needs and deadlines ensuring the proper placard markings and tags are used. Update tracker and clearly communicate changes with factories as needed throughout the selling season.

·       Ensure all items are properly tagged and with the proper prototype to production version.  Properly discard samples as needed. Send Golden Samples to factories ahead of production.

·       Create DHL & FedEx labels for shipments

·       Prepare supplies needed for sell-in meetings to properly display the product.

·       Arrange shipments of products to obtain product and / or send product to various locations for GE.

·       Become a product expert, understand and be able to explain and demonstrate the features and functions of each item in the assortment.

·       Attend location photo shoots and assist in unloading and preparing merchandise for photography and be the GE Merchandising point person to answer product-specific questions, trouble shoot on location.  

·       Perform field testing and preliminary safety test protocols on all GE items as part of the GE tollgate process.

·       Assist with the planogramming process for retail customers – physically set mock planograms and use software to create virtual planograms to share with wholesale customers.

·       Assist with packaging die line optimization and standardization across GE Lighting and help gather product dimensions used for retailer pitch templates and GE packaging

·       Collaborate with the Creative and Merchandising teams to maintain organized spaces; take pride in the appearance of the facility; take necessary action to maintain the cleanliness of the warehouse and surrounding area 

·       Other tasks as need to support the GE Merchandising team

·       Physical requirements include: 

o   Regularly lift and/or move items up to forty pounds. 

o   Occasionally lift and/or move items more than forty pounds with other team members. 

·       1+ year of retail experience, visual Merchandising & planogramming experience is a plus.  

·       Ability and comfort working in a warehouse environment

·       Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills. Demonstrated time management and multi-tasking skills  

·       Clear written and verbal communication

·       Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance (this job requires driving on company time) 

·       Genuine interest to work cross-functionally with and learn from our Merchandising Team 

·       Honest, enthusiastic, and hard-working approach; willingness to roll up your sleeves and get the job done 

·       Proactive mindset with proven ability to follow directions and work with minimum supervision. 

·       Flexibility and willingness to perform other various duties as required. 

·       Strong communication and teamwork skills 

·       Proficiency using MS Office is a plus, specifically MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; and/or a willingness to learn