Merchandising Specialist (Local Beauty / Promotion Planning)

Pay Range : $79,000 - $90,000 / year + Eligible for annual performance-based bonus

Benefits : 401(k) with Company Match, Employee Discount Program, Lifestyle Allowance, Mobile Phone Plan Reimbursement, Comprehensive Health / Dental / Vision Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, Flexible Work Hours, Wellness Days, Creative Leave, Monthly Team Building Budget and more!

About Us

CJ OLIVE YOUNG introduced the first Korean health and beauty store in 1999, pioneering the industry and becoming Korea's No. 1 Health & Beauty Store. With over 1,370 stores across Korea and a global network reaching 150 countries, OLIVE YOUNG is now evolving into a Global Lifestyle Platform that brings the best of beauty and health to customers worldwide.

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc is a dynamic and fast-growing beauty retailer specializing in K-beauty skincare and cosmetics in North America! As we expand, we are also curating a selection of local U.S. beauty brands, bringing innovative and high-quality products to our customers.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Merchandising Specialist to focus on identifying, sourcing, and building our indie / trendy beauty brand portfolio in the U.S. This role will be key in discovering emerging beauty brands that align with our brand identity and positioning, ensuring a curated portfolio that resonates with our consumers. The Local Beauty Merchandiser will be responsible for sourcing and onboarding new brands, building strong relationships with U.S.-based brands and retailers, and creating localized marketing and promotional strategies that align with market trends. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of the U.S. beauty market and be skilled at sourcing brands that complement and enhance our existing portfolio.

What You'll Do

Develop and maintain a long list of potential beauty brands that fit within the company's brand identity and resonate with local consumer trends in the U.S.

Conduct thorough market research and trend analysis to identify new and emerging indie beauty brands for potential inclusion in the portfolio.

Lead the process of tapping into and pitching local beauty brands, ensuring a strong fit for our market and brand values.

Oversee the product registration process, ensuring accurate updates and efficient communication across all teams.

Manage regular purchase ordering processes, ensuring timely product availability and efficient SHD (Stock Handling & Distribution) management in collaboration with local suppliers.

Monitor the growth of brands and product lines, managing product portfolios and pipelines for sustainable expansion through customized co-marketing promotions

Build and foster long-term relationships with brands through regular strategy meetings to ensure sustained mutual growth.

Develop and implement localized promotional plans tailored to U.S. consumers, ensuring campaigns resonate with local market preferences and trends.

Create U.S.-exclusive marketing campaigns (e.g., localizing existing marketing IP's and building new local IP's) to generate excitement and engagement with local audiences.

Design and execute co-marketing packages with brands including branding opportunities and maximizing momentum for NPD launches for scalable growth.

Design promotional schemes, including analyzing profitability to ensure alignment with marketing budgets and overall business goals.

Regularly update and adjust promotional strategies based on market conditions, consumer behavior, and profitability analysis.

Build strong relationships with U.S.-based brands, collaborating on product listings, promotions, and marketing activities to maximize visibility and engagement.

Oversee the development of visual assets for promotional campaigns, working with external agencies to manage design concepts, mockups, and final production.

Manage and execute brand-specific promotions, including tracking and adjusting plans as needed to meet marketing KPIs.

Conduct comprehensive market research to understand competitor offerings, emerging trends, and customer preferences.

Use insights to guide merchandising decisions and ensure the brand's product offerings are competitive and relevant to the local market.

Qualifications

4+ years of experience in merchandising, brand management, or retail buying, with a focus on local beauty brands or U.S.-based beauty products.

Strong understanding of the U.S. beauty market, including trends, customer preferences, and competitive dynamics.

Proven experience in product sourcing, brand pitching, and portfolio management.

Expertise in creating localized promotional plans and marketing strategies, particularly with U.S. retailers and beauty brands.

Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.

Strong understanding of retail partnerships, co-marketing, and promotional strategy.

Creative mindset with an eye for trends and an ability to collaborate with external designers and agencies.

Proficient in inventory management, product registration, and ERP systems.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess profitability and performance metrics to inform business decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

Background in Beauty industry is strongly preferred.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Korean is desirable but not required.

Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel proficiency; experience with other planning tools or systems is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CJ Olive Young USA, Inc is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe in hiring with empathy and strive to build a diverse workforce that reflects our community. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to these factors.