Sr. Manager / Associate Director, Merchandise Procurement

Full Time Job
WMG's top priority is the safety and wellbeing of its team members, artists and songwriters across the globe. In response to COVID-19, WMG is fully committed to helping its people balance their home and life commitments with flexible working options, virtual wellness sessions, and more. WMG strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace. To that end, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is a condition of employment for all US new employees, prior to the commencement of employment. If you are hired, you will be required to provide proof of your vaccination as part of your new employee onboarding process, subject to our legal obligation to make reasonable accommodations in certain limited circumstances.

Job Description:

At Warner Music Group, we're a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we know that each talent makes our collective bolder and brighter. We are guided by four core principles that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:
• Music is Everything: Music is our passion, and we can never get enough. Tastes, trends, and tech will change, but great artists and songwriters will always be our driving force.
• Global Growth, Local Expertise: Music is a global language. Through communication and collaboration, our success can come from anywhere and translate everywhere.
• Innovation and Insight: Pushing the boundaries requires the best information and the boldest imagination. We use both to create the future.
• Empowered by People: Like the artists we serve and the music they make, our differences make us stronger. This is a place where every talent can belong and build a career.

We remain committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We know it fosters a culture where you can truly belong, contribute, and grow. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic or identity.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.

A little bit about our team:

The Merchandise Production team provides production and purchasing for merchandise for US concert tours, eCommerce and outside retailers as well as corporate and label promotions. Merchandise includes a variety of branded apparel and accessories.

Your role:

This is a fast paced, high volume position that requires tenured tour and d2c production experience for quick turn apparel and accessories. Partner w/internal stakeholders to determine time lines, work flow and support long range company goals. Clear and constant communication is key in this role. Daily duties include project management, sourcing, vendor choice, creating PO's, dispersing art files, tracking orders, shipping logistics and managing production schedule. Train, mentor and manage direct reports. Understanding and implementing tour and eCom requirements. Established vendor relationships and sourcing new vendors are critical for competitive pricing, quick turn times, quality control and on time deliveries. Multi-tasking, resourcefulness and problem solving skills are a must along w/strong leadership skills. Above all, team focused at all times to insure a supportive and cohesive working environment for all.

Here you'll get to:
• Manage direct reports including training, development and support
• Partner w/internal customers and other stakeholders (Product Managers, eCom, Art, Warehouse, Accounting and more) and remain customer focused at all times
• Develop and manage workflow and systems
• Manager production schedule
• Source, develop and maintain vendor relationships and schedule vendor reviews
• Manage quoting process, vendor negotiations and budget targets
• Manage outgoing purchase orders
• Create and manage shipping logistics for every order
• Massive organization shills to manage high volume
• Retrieve art files, forward to vendors and facilitate proof approvals
• Plan and manage shipping requirements for every order
• Perform special project and other job related duties as assigned

About you:
• Minimum 5-10 years Music Tour and D2C specific production/buying/sourcing experience
• Management experience w/direct reports
• Apparel & Screen Printing knowledge a must
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal
• Strong organizational, problem solving and attention to detail skills in high stress environment
• Shipping logistic experience required for small package, LTL, FTL, Air Freight and International
• Customer focused at all times
• Microsoft Office and Art File format experience
• Ability to learn internal software systems
• Team player at all times

We'd love it if you also had:
• Custom cut and sew apparel and accessory manufacturing experience
• Technical decorating technique experience and machinery knowledge
• College Degree in relevant field preferred

About us:

As the home to Asylum, Atlantic, East West, Elektra, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world's premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalogue of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Redefining what it means to be a music company in the 21st century, our consumer brands include trend-setters like UPROXX, Songkick, HipHopDX, and EMP. We're the home to WMX – the next generation services division that connects artists with fans and amplifies brands in creative, immersive, and engaging ways – and Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) – the ground-breaking global distribution company for independent artists and labels.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Music With Vision & Voice.

Love this job and want to apply?

Click the ''Apply'' link at the top of the page, or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile, but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear from us right away. We're taking our time to review all resumes, and to find the best people for WMG.

Thanks for your interest in working for WMG. We love it here, and think you will, too.

WMG is committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and will evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Copyright © 2022 Warner Music Inc.