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.