Manager, Brand Partnerships & Merchandising

Manager, Brand Partnerships & Merchandising

We're adding a Manager, Brand Partnerships & Merchandising in Korea to strengthen our brand partner relationships and merchandising execution. This role is the on-the-ground bridge to Korean brand partners—supporting joint business planning, onboarding, and growth across B2B (wholesale/retail) and B2C (DTC) channels. You will work closely with our Senior Manager of Key Accounts (Helen Wang) and cross-functional teams in both Korea and the U.S. to deliver revenue, build brand equity, and provide a best-in-class partner experience.

Soko Glam is a leading curator and distributor of Korean beauty products with a mission to help all people believe there are only good (skin) days ahead. Since 2012, we've brought K-beauty to the global stage through thoughtful curation, education, and authentic storytelling. Our global footprint spans e-commerce, wholesale, and international retail partnerships.

What You'll Do

Brand Partnerships & Vendor Management

• Source, vet, and onboard Korean brand partners aligned to Soko Glam strategy.
• Maintain day-to-day communications in Korean with brand HQs (pricing, MOQs, lead times, terms, assets, regulatory docs).
• Support negotiations (assortment, cost/terms, exclusives, launch calendars) in partnership with the Senior Manager of Key Accounts.

Merchandising & Assortment

• Build and maintain curated assortments; prepare line sheets and sell-in materials.
• Track SKU performance and recommend expansion, rationalization, or exclusives.
• Coordinate samples, product information, and localization/translation for US retail and DTC.

Commercial Planning & Analytics

• Contribute inputs to forecasts; track sell-in/sell-through, margin, in-stock, and launch KPIs.
• Prepare weekly/monthly/quarterly reports and business review materials for internal and partner meetings.

Cross-Functional & Operational Execution

• Partner with Marketing to secure assets and support campaigns/retailer activations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain/Operations on POs, shipping timelines, inbound shipments, and issue resolution.
• Track vendor invoices against POs; confirm accuracy, ensure timely submission to Finance, and liaise on payment status/documentation.
• Support troubleshooting for Korea-originated operational gaps (e.g., invoices, tax docs, customs/COOs) and escalate issues proactively.
• Maintain partner CRM/trackers; support retailer submissions, partner portals, market weeks, trade shows, and partner visits in Korea (occasional domestic travel).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4–7 years relevant experience in beauty/CPG merchandising, buying, or brand/partner management (K-beauty experience strongly preferred).
• Bilingual fluency in Korean and English (written and verbal); able to translate/localize assets and facilitate meetings.
• Solid commercial acumen: retail math, margin analysis, and KPI tracking.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and project management skills.
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets (pivot tables, lookups); proficiency in Slides/PowerPoint.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating across time zones at a fast pace.

Plus (Preferred)

• Experience supporting US/Global retailers or marketplaces.
• Familiarity with basic regulatory/compliance documentation for beauty (INCI, labeling).
• Experience with ERP/PO or partner portal tools.