Merchandising Category Manager - Balsam Hill Studio

Merchandising Category Manager (Temp/Contract)– Balsam Hill Studio

In this hybrid role of Merchandising and Product Development for Balsam Hill Studio, you will own and drive key elements of the development and merchandising strategy, guiding products from concept through launch across multiple Balsam Hill Studio locations. This role blends creative vision, merchant thinking, and operational excellence to deliver compelling, location-inspired assortments that meet brand, quality, and financial objectives.

You will serve as a primary partner to vendors and internal teams, providing direction on product development, assortment architecture, and execution while supporting B2B partnerships, new growth initiatives, and special projects as the business expands.

This full-time TEMP position reports to the VP of Product Development and is expected to work in a hybrid model, which currently includes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in-office.

About Balsam Hill Studio

Balsam Hill Studio is an extension of our renowned holiday brand Balsam Hill, reimagining souvenir shopping by offering premium, location-inspired ornaments that celebrate each destination’s unique spirit. From our flagship stores in Hawaii to future openings in other iconic locales, Balsam Hill Studio brings the artistry and storytelling of fine holiday décor to the world of travel keepsakes.

What you will do

Own product development for assigned categories, managing the end-to-end lifecycle from concept through production and launch

Lead vendor relationships, providing clear direction on design intent, quality standards, costing, and timelines

Drive sample development, approvals, and revisions across multiple product lines, ensuring timely execution

Develop and maintain accurate line lists, product specifications, and development trackers

Provide strategic, actionable feedback to vendors to elevate product quality and consistency

Partner cross-functionally with Creative, Planning, Sourcing, and Store teams to align with assortment strategy and execution

Contribute to location-based assortment planning, balancing trends, storytelling, and commercial performance

Identify risks and opportunities within the development process and proactively recommend solutions

Set selling prices, support and recommend markdowns and launch timing for newness

What you bring to the table

8+ years of experience in product development and/or merchandising, preferably in home décor or seasonal/holiday categories

Proven ability to manage vendors, sampling, and product approvals with minimal oversight

Strong merchant mindset with an eye for design, trend, and customer experience

Excellent organizational, communication, and prioritization skills.

Attention to detail is critical

Ability to build productive relationships with cross-functional and external partners

Confidence making decisions and influencing outcomes in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; PLM tools are required

Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite; AI tools, design or illustration skills a plus

Experience developing or buying glass ornaments preferred

Adaptable, proactive, and comfortable operating in a “startup” mentality

Willingness to travel as needed

Notes: This is a temporary position, expected to last through March 2027.

About Us: Balsam Brands is a global, omnichannel retailer with roots in holiday and home décor. We strive for excellence in everything we do and present a unique opportunity for those seeking to have a meaningful impact in a people-first company that values relationship building, authenticity, and doing the right thing. We have steadily growing teams in Boise, the Bay Area, Dublin, the Philippines, Canada, and Mexico.

The company's mission is to create joy together. We empower our team and partners to love what they do, provide products and experiences that inspire meaningful moments with family and friends, and give back to our families and communities in impactful ways. When you join Balsam Brands, you'll find a culture of caring people doing challenging work and building a welcoming workplace.

Check out our flagship brand, Balsam Hill: balsamhill.com

Balsam Brands in Forbes: https://bit.ly/balsambrandsforbes2023

Balsam Brands on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/balsam-brands/

Glassdoor: https://bit.ly/balsambrands-glassdoor

At Balsam Brands, we strive to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. For permanent, full-time team members, our current package includes:

Competitive compensation, including a cash-based incentive plan; salary is reviewed yearly and may be adjusted as part of the normal compensation review process

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, with 100% of monthly premiums covered for team members, and 85%+ employer-paid premiums for other coverage tiers that include dependents

Up to $2,000 annual funding toward HSA accounts

Medical, transit, dependent care FSA

Infertility coverage offered on all medical plans

Generous parental leave program and flexible return options

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Company-paid short and long-term disability insurance

401(k) with dollar-for-dollar company match up to $4,000 per calendar year

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other mental health and wellness perks

Paid holidays, annual shutdown week, PTO, and volunteer time-off (VTO) packages

Paid 5-week sabbatical leave after 10 years of employment

Annual continuous learning benefit up to $1,000 per person, per fiscal year

Up to $300 flexible reimbursement to support setup of new team member's work-from-home environment

Generous team member merchandise discount

Valuable extras: identity theft protection, subsidized parking, monthly wellness, pet insurance, accident & critical illness insurance

The base pay rate for this position is: $52.00-65.00 per hour.

At Balsam Brands, we strive to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team to fulfill our purpose to create joy together. Balsam Brands is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

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