Sr. Director, Retail & Merchandise

Position: Sr. Director, Retail & Merchandise

Reports to: EVP, Business Operations

Department: Merchandise

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary:

The Senior Director, Retail & Merchandise provides strategic leadership for Sacramento Basketball Holdings multi-brand, omni-channel retail business supporting the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento River Cats, Athletics at Sutter Health Park, Golden 1 Center, and special events. This role oversees merchandising, buying, inventory planning, retail operations, e-commerce, warehouse distribution, financial performance, and guest experience while driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and fan engagement across all retail channels.

Working collaboratively with Marketing, Corporate Partnerships, Finance, Technology, Venue Operations, Premium Sales, Community Impact, and Basketball Operations, this leader develops scalable retail strategies that strengthen each brand, optimize business performance, and deliver exceptional fan experiences.

Essential Responsibilities:

Merchandising & Buying Strategy

• Develop and execute merchandising strategies aligned with organizational objectives and each brand's identity.
• Lead merchandise buying across multiple sports properties, including apparel, headwear, novelties, collectibles, premium products, and exclusive merchandise.
• Build product assortments using consumer insights, sales trends, and market intelligence to maximize sales and profitability.
• Identify licensing opportunities, exclusive collaborations, and custom merchandise programs that strengthen brand affinity and drive incremental revenue.
• Negotiate strategic vendor partnerships that optimize pricing, product quality, delivery, and purchasing terms.

Financial Leadership

• Own the retail merchandise P&L across all brands and venues.
• Develop annual budgets, financial forecasts, inventory investment strategies, and open-to-buy plans.
• Monitor key performance indicators including revenue, gross margin, operating income, inventory turnover, GMROI, sell-through, and labor productivity.
• Analyze business performance and present strategic recommendations that support long-term growth and organizational objectives.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate inventory valuation, landed costs, invoice reconciliation, purchase order management, and month-end close processes.

Inventory, Supply Chain & Technology

• Develop inventory strategies that balance product availability, inventory productivity, and working capital efficiency.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory planning, receiving, replenishment, fulfillment, warehouse operations, and distribution across retail stores, e-commerce, and event retail.
• Lead forecasting, demand planning, inventory control, physical inventories, and shrink reduction initiatives to improve inventory accuracy and sell-through.
• Serve as the business owner for retail systems and technology, partnering with Technology, Finance, and Business Intelligence to improve system integrations and operational efficiency.

Retail Operations

• Provide strategic leadership for retail operations across Golden 1 Center, Sutter Health Park, team stores, kiosks, pop-up retail, and event merchandise locations.
• Establish operational standards that enhance guest experience, merchandising execution, labor productivity, and overall retail performance.
• Support retail operations for NBA, MLB, MiLB, concerts, playoffs, community events, and other special activations.

E-Commerce & Omnichannel Strategy

• Lead the organization's omni-channel retail strategy to create seamless shopping experiences across physical and digital channels.
• Partner with the Director of E-Commerce Operations to optimize digital merchandising, product launches, fulfillment, customer acquisition, conversion, and retention.
• Leverage customer insights, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve online performance and strengthen digital retail capabilities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing leadership team, including the Assistant Buyer, Director of E-Commerce Operations, and Director of Retail Operations.
• Establish clear performance expectations while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and results-driven culture.
• Champion continuous improvement, operational excellence, and professional development across the department.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Eight (8) or more years of progressive retail leadership experience with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-location, omni-channel retail businesses.
• Experience overseeing merchandise buying, inventory planning, retail operations, financial management, and vendor relationships.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing retail P&Ls, budgets, forecasting, and inventory investments.
• Experience leveraging retail analytics, forecasting, inventory planning systems, and business intelligence to drive strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Experience in professional sports, entertainment, hospitality, or premium consumer retail preferred.
• Experience managing licensed merchandise programs preferred.
• Experience overseeing warehouse distribution and e-commerce fulfillment preferred.
• Knowledge of NBA, MLB, and MiLB licensing and retail operations preferred.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require.
• Availability to support home games, special events, concerts, and post-season activities.
• Occasional travel for market appointments, vendor meetings, league events, and trade shows.

Compensation:

Base Salary: $150,000–$180,000, plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus.

Total Rewards Package:

In addition to a competitive compensation package, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Self-Directed Time Off, 11 paid holidays, and Summer Fridays
• Paid parental leave
• Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
• Cell phone stipend
• Sacramento Kings season tickets, concert access, team store discounts, parking, and other exclusive team member perks