Branded Merchandise SME (Subject Matter Expert)

Purpose of the role

The Branded Merchandise SME (Subject Matter Expert) is responsible for ensuring the category sourcing strategy is executed within the Client Engagement team. The key objective of this role is to work with the client to define a core portfolio of products that can be adopted for use across regions, and provide support and insights behind the recommendations. This role will also support the identification and processes needed to support local specific requirements, including advise around supplier selection and quality standards

Key Responsibilities

• Core portfolio identification and ongoing management
• Rate card setup
• Product sourcing and selection
• Utilise preferred suppliers and manufacturers of branded merchandise that meet quality, pricing, and ethical standards
• Stay updated on industry trends to recommend innovative and effective promotional products
• Evaluate and select products that align with the client's brand image and campaign objectives
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers
• Negotiate pricing and delivery schedules to secure cost-effectiveness
• Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality or brand integrity
• Ensure all merchandise adheres to legal and regulatory requirements and are measured against our ESG goals
• Work closely with marketing, sales, and events teams to align product selections with campaign needs
• Engage with the Client Engagement teams across the region to understand the needs of the clients to ensure the strategy build meets the requirements and challenges of those clients – the strategy should be continually evolving and improving
• Implement the company testing protocol based on a risk-based assessment
• Monitor all operations that affect quality – ensure we have procedures in place to inspect and report quality assurance issues based on a risk assessment approach
• Supervise and guide inspectors, quality technicians and other staff managing production to ensure consistency in approach / documentation / escalation
• Keep records of all quality reports / escalations / corrective action plans so we can supply to clients as required
• Work with in-region strategic sourcing teams to ensure we follow best practise in vendor compliance audits focusing on quality, social responsibility and compliance to our code of conduct (and that of our clients where they have specific needs to address)
• Serve as an escalation point for supplier related quality issues
• Understand the capability of our supply chain globally and see how we can maximise the capabilities of our supplier partners
• Engage with creative capability across the business to engage the right resources to deliver the ideation
• Identify opportunities to deliver product proposals which can be easily executed with an understanding of materials and production processes
• Continue to challenge products to see how we can offer sustainable alternatives to help client select the best product in market with minimal environmental impact
• Take the lead in Identifying opportunities for buying windows and cross market consolidation
• Support innovation days so we can engage in person with clients
• Create content which can be included in client QBR to highlight trends we are seeing in Branded Merchandise as well as inclusion of case studies

Knowledge, Skills + Experience

• Understanding of retailer and brand operations with practical experience of quality management systems and production process operations within a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience of all relevant branded merchandise manufacturing (Drinkware, clothing, bags, sports & leisure etc) processes
• An excellent communicator, including business English
• Organised and methodical in your approach
• IT literate, comfortable using a variety of systems
• Able to work to tight deadlines, in often changing environments
• Numerate and able to assimilate data and produce meaningful information
• Relationship and partnership approach
• Strong communication and influencing skills – ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve both personal and collective goals
• Leads innovation and change
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills