Merchandise Planning Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY
The Cosmos & Jackals Merchandise Manager will lead the overall retail, merchandise, and product strategy for both the New York Cosmos and the New Jersey Jackals across matchdays, e-commerce, community events, and special collaborations. This individual will oversee merchandise planning, product development, retail operations, inventory strategy, and fan engagement initiatives while ensuring both brands are represented authentically through apparel, collectibles, and lifestyle products.
This role is responsible for building a unified merchandise operation that reflects the culture, history, and identity of both organizations while driving revenue growth and enhancing the fan experience at Hinchliffe Stadium and beyond. The ideal candidate understands sports culture, streetwear/fashion trends, supporter and fan culture, and live event retail operations.
This position will oversee shared merchandise operations between both organizations and coordinate staffing, inventory logistics, retail activations, and event execution across soccer matches, baseball games, concerts, festivals, and third-party stadium events. The role will also manage the division of merchandise responsibilities during overlapping events and support the development of collaborative retail strategies that maximize operational efficiency and revenue opportunities across both brands.
This role reports to the VP of Revenue & Events.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Merchandise Strategy & Product Development
• Lead the planning and execution of official New York Cosmos and New Jersey Jackals merchandise collections including apparel, headwear, scarves, accessories, collectibles, and limited-edition product drops.
• Develop seasonal merchandise calendars and launch strategies tied to matchdays, heritage nights, collaborations, community events, and special activations.
• Manage the product lifecycle from concept through production and retail launch.
• Work with manufacturers, vendors, league licensing partners, and retail suppliers to ensure product quality and timely delivery.
• Identify new product opportunities that align with supporter culture, fan trends, and lifestyle retail opportunities.
• Coordinate collaborative or crossover merchandise initiatives between both organizations when applicable.
Retail & E-Commerce Operations
• Oversee matchday retail operations for Cosmos and Jackals home events at Hinchliffe Stadium.
• Coordinate inventory allocation across stadium retail, e-commerce, pop-up shops, community activations, and third-party events.
• Manage merchandise fulfillment workflows and operational procedures.
• Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, and product movement to optimize purchasing and product mix decisions.
• Ensure retail presentation and merchandising standards are maintained across all retail touchpoints.
• Assist with development and expansion of online merchandise sales strategies and promotional campaigns.
Event & Activation Support
• Lead merchandise activations during soccer matches, baseball games, concerts, festivals, fan events, and community programs.
• Coordinate staffing and logistics for mobile retail operations and off-site merchandise sales.
• Support retail setup, teardown, and operational execution for all stadium and community events.
• Assist with promotional giveaways, sponsor integrations, and special edition product launches.
• Coordinate operational support and retail responsibilities during overlapping stadium events.
Brand & Marketing Collaboration
• Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, Social Media, Partnerships, and Ticketing teams on merchandise campaigns and retail initiatives.
• Oversee merchandise creative direction for photoshoots, lifestyle campaigns, product launches, and retail promotions.
• Coordinate merchandise integrations into supporter experiences, theme nights, and sponsor activations.
• Support development of culturally relevant product launches and collaborations tied to community initiatives and club identity.
• Assist in the creation of merchandise storytelling, promotional materials, and internal sales presentations.
Staff & Operational Oversight
• Supervise merchandise staff including coordinators, interns, part-time retail personnel, and matchday staff.
• Develop operational procedures for inventory management, retail standards, reporting, and merchandise fulfillment.
• Coordinate staff scheduling and operational coverage across both organizations and stadium events.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, invoice tracking, and merchandise financial reporting.
• Maintain accurate merchandise records, inventory systems, and sales reporting tools.
Administrative & Cross-Department Coordination
• Coordinate with stadium operations and event management teams regarding retail locations, logistics, and event planning.
• Support internal merchandise requests and organizational apparel needs across both organizations.
• Assist with league merchandise compliance and licensing requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor and Executive Management.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Fashion, Sports Management, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in merchandise management, retail operations, apparel, sports, or lifestyle branding.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, retail operations, and e-commerce platforms.
• Experience managing vendors, production timelines, product launches, and merchandise fulfillment operations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience with Shopify, inventory systems, retail reporting tools, and merchandising software preferred.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and content production workflows preferred.
• Passion for soccer culture, baseball culture, supporter culture, fashion, and live events.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, matchdays, concerts, and special events as required.
• Comfortable working in stadium, warehouse, retail, and event environments.
• Must have reliable transportation and ability to transport merchandise and retail materials when necessary.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand/walk for extended periods of time.
Salary Expectations: $40,00-$50,000
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
Job Questions:

1. Please describe your experience managing merchandise operations, including inventory, staffing, point-of-sale systems, and event-day execution. Include any experience working in sports, entertainment, retail, or live events.
2. The New York Cosmos and New Jersey Jackals share certain operational resources and event responsibilities. How would you prioritize tasks and maintain organization while supporting two brands with overlapping schedules and merchandise needs?
3. Please describe your experience using Shopify or any other point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce system, including inventory tracking, product management, reporting, online fulfillment, and event-day sales operations. Please include examples of how you have used these systems to improve efficiency or grow merchandise sales.