Head of Merchandising

: COMPANY INFORMATION: USL Antelope Valley is one of four expansion teams that will begin play in March 2025 in USL League One, bringing the league to 16 teams. USL Championship and USL League One make the USL the largest professional men's soccer league in the United States. The Antelope Valley is an untapped soccer hotbed in north Los Angeles County, with thousands of youth players and many thousands more supporting the game at all levels. The City of Lancaster has approved a master plan to convert the stadium from baseball to a 5,300 seat soccer specific-stadium, only the fourth professional soccer-specific stadium in Southern California. With the official name, colors and crest to be launched in May 2024, USL AV will unite the many diverse communities of the Antelope Valley. The Head of Merchandise will be responsible for leading the development, sales, sourcing, and maintenance of merchandise and corporate relationships. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead a team of 1 or more employees in the management of numerous business lines.
• Oversee all members on the team to ensure all aspects are being covered to produce the greatest results.
• Work with the marketing and E-commerce department to increase sales and support for business lines.
• Negotiate and manage all contracts that are necessary for business lines under the team's responsibilities.
• Responsible for increasing sales and margin. All retail prices must have enough margin to cover royalties and all attributed overhead.
• Manage all financials related to those lines of business including stock and inventory levels, net income for the team will be the primary measurement of success for this position.
• Prepare a budget, income statements, balance sheets and capital expenditure requests.
• Handle all facets of any onsite retail locations; from buying and planning to operations and maintenance. Ensure that all team members maintain all merchandise standards.
• Develop new business opportunities by aggressively seeking new customers and further developing existing ones.
• This position requires spending long hours sitting using computers.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds when setting up/tearing down event locations and participate in the team's inventory.
• Supervises all Team members by assigning and directing work.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Other duties may be assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (B.A) or equivalent from four-year college or university.
• Six to eight years of industry related experience.
• Personnel management experience required.
• Needs to be a highly organized, self-motivated individual who can work independently.
• Must have strong leadership skills; with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must inspire team members to success.
• Serves as the “coach” to ensure all team members are working as a unit with the same defined goal.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks and priorities and easily adapt to changing situations.
• Must possess strong problem solving and communication skills and have good judgment.
• Manages expenses to achieve budgeted bottom line
• Knowledge of USL AV Global Merchandise and department operations (including understanding company and department policies, processes and procedures).
• Must have strong computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, PowerPoint and comfortable use of internet is necessary. Ability to travel to team's events

COMPENSATION Competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan. WORKING CONDITIONS Location: On Site The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands to finger, and handle controls. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stoop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.