Description:
The Director of Buying, Marketing & Merchandising is a key member of Blue Ocean Brands’ Leadership Team, responsible for shaping and executing the company’s merchandising, brand strategy, and marketing initiatives across all locations. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role oversees buying, in-store merchandising, and marketing strategy, while also supervising a buying and a distribution team. This leader partners with the fractional CMO, marketing committee, and District Managers to drive consistent brand messaging, merchandising standards, and quarterly store visits. They are accountable for staff development, training compliance, operational excellence, and adherence to company policies, while ensuring all initiatives reflect the company’s Core Values: We Serve Others, We Do What It Takes, and We Own It.
If you’re looking for a company that values your contributions, invests in your development, and rewards your success — we want to hear from you!

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• Preferred - 5 years of progressive leadership experience in retail merchandising, buying, or brand strategy, including at least 3 years managing a team. Must demonstrate experience aligning marketing with inventory and sales strategies, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to actively listen, resolve conflict, and provide/receive feedback in a results-driven environment.
• Strong business acumen and organizational skills, with proficiency in using data and technology to drive decisions and maintain accurate operations.
• Must maintain a valid, insurable driver’s license and be willing to travel regularly between stores (quarterly, in-state).
• Proficiency in English and the ability to understand and explain key operational processes
• Ability to safely lift, move, and carry up to 25 pounds independently, and to handle heavier items with team assistance or by using appropriate safety equipment such as appliance carts, furniture dollies, forklift straps, or furniture sliders.
• While Blue Ocean Brands does not conduct pre-employment or routine drug testing, we reserve the right to require drug or alcohol testing at any time, including but not limited to situations involving reasonable suspicion, workplace accidents, or as required by law

• Lead buying, merchandising, and brand strategy across all stores, overseeing the buying function, supervising distribution operations, and ensuring efficient product flow and team performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, Finance, and Sales to align messaging, inventory strategies, and customer experience.
• Support team development by partnering with District Managers on evaluations, training, and staff growth initiatives.
• Drive operational performance by analyzing sales and inventory data, maintaining compliance, and achieving profitability, service, and retention targets.
• Provide strategic leadership as a member of the Company Leadership Team, contributing to company-wide decisions and long-term planning.
• Model and enforce strict adherence to Blue Ocean Brands’ Core Values and Vision.
• Visit stores quarterly (within 2 hours of Mountville, PA) to support merchandising and operations coaching.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• Preferred - 5 years of progressive leadership experience in retail merchandising, buying, or brand strategy, including at least 3 years managing a team. Must demonstrate experience aligning marketing with inventory and sales strategies, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to actively listen, resolve conflict, and provide/receive feedback in a results-driven environment.
• Strong business acumen and organizational skills, with proficiency in using data and technology to drive decisions and maintain accurate operations.
• Must maintain a valid, insurable driver’s license and be willing to travel regularly between stores (quarterly, in-state).
• Proficiency in English and the ability to understand and explain key operational processes
• Ability to safely lift, move, and carry up to 25 pounds independently, and to handle heavier items with team assistance or by using appropriate safety equipment such as appliance carts, furniture dollies, forklift straps, or furniture sliders.
• While Blue Ocean Brands does not conduct pre-employment or routine drug testing, we reserve the right to require drug or alcohol testing at any time, including but not limited to situations involving reasonable suspicion, workplace accidents, or as required by law.