GS1/Google Merchant Center Specialist - E-Commerce Brand (Martial Arts Industry)

## About the Company We are an established e-commerce brand in the martial arts industry operating on Shopify Plus. We run both B2C and B2B operations with a multi-region presence (US, EU, UK) and a product catalog spanning apparel, gear, and accessories. We are entering an aggressive growth phase focused on dominating Google Shopping and paid product discovery channels. Note: Detailed company information, brand identity, and strategic documentation will be shared after hiring under NDA. ## Project Context We are executing a comprehensive initiative to maximize our presence and performance across Google's entire commerce ecosystem. The cornerstone of this initiative is proper GS1/GTIN implementation across our entire product catalog and full optimization of our Google Merchant Center (GMC) feeds. This is not a one-time cleanup project. We need a specialist who can build the systems, implement the standards, and then stay on as an ongoing team member to monitor, optimize, and scale our Google Shopping performance month over month. ## Role Responsibilities Phase 1 — GS1/GTIN Foundation (Weeks 1–4): - Audit our entire Shopify Plus product catalog for GTIN/UPC coverage gaps - Implement GS1 Company Prefix management and barcode assignment workflows - Map existing UPCs/GTINs to correct products; identify and resolve conflicts - Establish a repeatable process for assigning GTINs to new products as they launch - Create documentation for internal team on GTIN assignment protocols Phase 2 — Google Merchant Center Optimization (Weeks 2–8): - Audit and restructure our Google Merchant Center product data feeds - Resolve all GMC warnings, errors, and disapprovals systematically - Optimize product titles, descriptions, product types, and Google Product Categories for maximum Shopping visibility - Implement supplemental feeds for promotional pricing, custom labels, and inventory segmentation - Configure feed rules and transformations for automated data quality - Set up proper shipping and tax configurations for multi-region operations - Implement product ratings and review feeds (Google Customer Reviews or third-party integration) Phase 3 — Ongoing Monitoring & Growth (Ongoing): - Weekly GMC health monitoring — catch and resolve issues before they impact revenue - Continuous feed optimization based on Search Terms reports and Shopping performance data - A/B test product titles, images, and descriptions for CTR improvement - Monitor competitive positioning in Google Shopping results - Coordinate with our marketing team on Shopping campaign structure aligned with feed segmentation - Scale feed management as we add new product lines and expand internationally - Implement and maintain Merchant Center programs (Free Listings, Buy on Google, Local Inventory if applicable) ## Required Skills Must-Have: - 3+ years hands-on experience with Google Merchant Center feed management - Deep understanding of GS1 standards, GTIN/UPC/EAN assignment, and barcode management - Proven track record resolving GMC product disapprovals and feed errors at scale - Experience with Shopify or Shopify Plus product data and feed apps (e.g., DataFeedWatch, Feedonomics, GoDataFeed, or native Shopify-GMC integration) - Strong knowledge of Google Shopping best practices: title optimization, product categorization, structured data - Experience with supplemental feeds, feed rules, and automated feed transformations - Familiarity with Google Ads Shopping campaigns and how feed quality impacts ad performance Strong Plus: - Experience with apparel/fashion e-commerce product data (sizing, color variants, material attributes) - Knowledge of schema.org Product markup and its relationship to GMC - Experience managing feeds for both B2C and B2B/wholesale channels - Familiarity with Google's Manufacturer Center - Experience with multi-currency / international feed management - Understanding of Google's AI-powered Shopping experiences (Performance Max, AI Overview shopping results) ## Deliverables 1. GTIN Audit Report — Complete inventory of current GTIN coverage with gap analysis 2. GS1 Implementation Plan — Documented workflow for GTIN assignment (existing + new products) 3. GMC Feed Restructure — Fully optimized primary feed with all errors/warnings resolved 4. Supplemental Feed Architecture — Custom labels, promotions, and segmentation feeds configured 5. Monitoring Dashboard — Weekly reporting template for GMC health metrics 6. Documentation — SOPs for feed management, GTIN assignment, and troubleshooting 7. Ongoing Optimization — Monthly performance reports with actionable recommendations ## Why This Is a Great Opportunity - High-impact role: You'll directly influence the #1 revenue growth initiative for an established brand in the martial arts industry - Long-term engagement: This is not a quick fix — we want a specialist who grows with us - Autonomy: You'll own the entire Google Shopping data pipeline end-to-end - Growing brand: We're expanding product lines, international markets, and sales channels — your scope will grow - Collaborative team: You'll work alongside our marketing, development, and operations teams with clear communication channels - Professional environment: NDA-protected work with a well-funded, strategic initiative We're looking for 30+ hours/week with ongoing commitment. Are you open to a long-term engagement?