Branded Merchandise & Apparel Sourcing Manager

Ari Zona Beverages, founded in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1992, is proud to be a family owned and operated American company. Ari Zona’s mission is to offer top quality beverages in uniquely designed packages that are accessible and affordable. Ari Zona Beverages — makers of the number one ready-to-drink Iced Tea in America - holds a unique position in the global beverage industry with its iconic $0.99 big can and “keeping it real” no frills approach to the consumer market.

Ari Zona never pays for glitzy advertising campaigns to gain consumer loyalty and is constantly ahead of the curve, carving out trends without the use of focus groups and market research. With a loyal following across various demographics, Ari Zona pulls its own inspiration from its fierce social media following and devoted fan base.

Ari Zona Beverages is seeking a highly organized and resourceful Branded Merchandise & Apparel Sourcing Manager to oversee the sourcing, development and procurement of Ari Zona-branded apparel, merchandise, promotional products and point-of-sale items.

This person will manage products from concept and artwork through sourcing, costing, sampling, production, freight and delivery, working with multiple domestic and international vendors.

Products include custom apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, jackets, sweatpants and swimwear, as well as drinkware, hats, bags, notebooks, lanyards, promotional products and other custom branded merchandise.

• Source and develop apparel, merchandise, promotional products and POS materials from domestic and international suppliers.
• Identify and qualify new vendors while maintaining multiple competitive sourcing options for key products.
• Work closely with the e-commerce team to align orders with seasonal calendars, marketing timelines, and inventory needs.
• Collaborate with graphic designers and the creative team to ensure artwork, branding, and production specs are accurate and approved prior to placing orders.
• Solicit bids, negotiate pricing, MOQs, lead times and production terms, and maintain accurate product and landed-cost information.
• Manage products from initial concept through samples, approvals, production and final delivery.
• Coordinate with Ari Zona's creative teams and outside vendors to ensure digital artwork, logos, colors, placement and decoration techniques are properly executed.
• Manage multiple vendors, purchase orders, production schedules and projects simultaneously.
• Coordinate international and domestic freight while monitoring lead times, duties, tariffs and overall landed costs.
• Maintain an organized catalog of products, vendors, costs, specifications, artwork, inventory levels and reorder information.
• Monitor vendor performance for quality, cost, responsiveness and on-time delivery.
• Communicate proactively with internal teams and suppliers, including international vendors operating across multiple time zones.

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in merchandise sourcing, apparel production, promotional products, procurement or product development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong experience sourcing and purchasing physical products from multiple vendors.
• Experience working with domestic and international manufacturers and suppliers.
• Strong negotiation, project-management and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working with digital artwork, production proofs and graphic files.
• Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills with the ability to manage detailed product and costing information.
• Understanding of apparel decoration methods such as screen printing, embroidery, heat transfer and sublimation preferred.
• Knowledge of international freight, duties, tariffs and landed-cost calculations preferred.
• Ability to manage numerous projects, SKUs and deadlines simultaneously.

Must be able to work full-time, five days per week in Ari Zona's Syosset, NY office.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Ability to lift boxes and materials up to 50 lbs.

Please note this Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.