Merch manager: sourcing, production, and supplier negotiation (remote, ongoing)

ABOUT THE ROLE We are an established DTC consumer brand in the coffee space, building out an ongoing, quarterly merch program. We are looking for an experienced merch manager to own sourcing, supplier negotiation, sampling, quality, and production logistics end to end. This is a hands-on execution and project management role. Working from a quarterly product plan, you turn concepts into shipped products. You source and negotiate with overseas manufacturers, manage samples and QC, coordinate with our designer, and run the production calendar so every launch lands on time and on budget. You are the link between design, the factories, and our internal launch teams. WHAT YOU WILL OWN - Source, vet, and negotiate with overseas suppliers across apparel, drinkware, and hard goods. - Run pricing and minimum-order discovery, and build the volume and pricing picture we need to plan ahead. - Manage sampling: variations, samples, and early photo and video for internal review. - Own quality control against an agreed standard. - Build and maintain the production and launch calendar against real lead times so nothing slips. - Coordinate with our designer to keep designs producible. - Work with internal teams on launch timing and order quantities. - Stay a quarter ahead, putting systems in place so the program runs proactively. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR - Proven merch and product sourcing for consumer brands (DTC or CPG preferred). - Hands-on experience managing manufacturers in China. - Experience working with designers to take products from concept to shipped. - Strong logistics and project management across multi-product launches. - A clear negotiation record on pricing and minimum-order terms. - A portfolio of products you have actually shipped. COMPENSATION AND HOURS - 2,000 USD per month for roughly 20 hours per week to start. - Scope, hours, and pay scale with the program and seasonal workload. - Ongoing contract, not a one-off project. - Location open. We need comfortable overlap across US and Asia working hours. TO APPLY Please include: 1. A short portfolio of merch and brands you have shipped, with the outcome of each. 2. A short answer to this question: Walk us through one product you sourced from China start to finish, including how you handled minimum order quantities and pricing. We review every application that answers it. References will be required before hire.