Freelance Merchandiser

Contract Merchandiser

Work Location: Hybrid or Remote, depending on location
Schedule: 40 hours per week
Contract: October 2026 through approximately mid-April 2027
Hourly Rate: $38–$40/hour

Industry: Promotional Products / Branded Merchandise
Client Industry: Home Improvement Retail / Big-Box Retail

Job Summary

We’re looking for a creative, commercially minded Merchandiser, who will be developing branded merchandise and product assortments for a major home improvement retailer. to join our team on a full-time contract basis. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing brands to life through product — combining trend awareness, creative instincts, strong product development skills, and an understanding of what customers actually want to buy.

As a Merchandiser, you’ll help shape and develop client product assortments from initial concept through execution. You’ll translate brand strategy, customer insights, and market trends into compelling, market-relevant products while partnering closely with design, sourcing, vendors, clients, and other cross-functional teams.

You’ll be involved throughout the product lifecycle — from trend research and assortment strategy to sourcing, sampling, artwork, approvals, and launch.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in assortment planning and strategy discussions, helping identify the right product mix for each client and audience.

• Develop a strong understanding of client brands, target customers, brand guidelines, and aesthetic standards.

• Translate current and emerging trends into creative, commercially relevant product ideas.

• Help drive creative direction for products, graphics, embellishments, packaging, and other product details.

• Partner with internal design teams and external vendors throughout the product development process.

• Build and source strategic, profitable product assortments.

• Present product concepts and creative rationale to internal teams and clients.

• Review tech packs, lab dips, samples, fit reviews, and other product-development details for accuracy and approval.

• Manage development samples and coordinate client review and approval.

• Negotiate with suppliers around pricing, quantities, quality, delivery, and other buying terms.

• Run or participate in merchandise status meetings, client calls, and internal work-in-progress meetings.

• Maintain product status trackers and assortment planning documents.

• Help ensure product development stays on schedule and launches happen on time.

• Partner across compliance, quality, sourcing, design, and other teams to ensure products meet expectations for brand, quality, margin, and execution.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in retail buying, product development, merchandising, merchandise planning, or a related area.

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Buying, Marketing, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

• Experience identifying and interpreting product and consumer trends.

• Ability to use market intelligence and customer insights to inform product decisions.

• Experience developing relevant, profitable product assortments.

• Strong organization and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple products, priorities, and deadlines at once.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively and influence across cross-functional teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Comfortable working onsite in Woodinville, WA four days per week for the duration of the contract.

Nice to Have

• Custom cut-and-sew product experience.

• Custom hard goods product-development experience.

• Smartsheet experience.

• PLM and/or Oracle experience.

Why This Role

• You’ll have the opportunity to work across the full product lifecycle, rather than owning just one small piece of the merchandising process.

• You’ll help develop products and assortments for established brands while combining creativity, trends, analytics, sourcing, and product development.

• This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll work closely with design, sourcing, vendors, clients, and other internal partners.

• It’s a great opportunity for an experienced merchandiser who wants to jump into a fast-moving team, make an immediate impact, and take on a meaningful six-month contract from October through mid-April.

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