Freelance Merchandiser

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Contract Merchandiser
Work Location: Hybrid or Remote, depending on location
Schedule: 40 hours per week
Contract: October 2026 through approximately mid-April 2027
Hourly Rate: $38–$40/hour
Industry: Promotional Products / Branded Merchandise
Client Industry: Home Improvement Retail / Big-Box Retail
Job Summary
We’re looking for a creative, commercially minded Merchandiser, who will be developing branded merchandise and product assortments for a major home improvement retailer. to join our team on a full-time contract basis. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing brands to life through product — combining trend awareness, creative instincts, strong product development skills, and an understanding of what customers actually want to buy.
As a Merchandiser, you’ll help shape and develop client product assortments from initial concept through execution. You’ll translate brand strategy, customer insights, and market trends into compelling, market-relevant products while partnering closely with design, sourcing, vendors, clients, and other cross-functional teams.
You’ll be involved throughout the product lifecycle — from trend research and assortment strategy to sourcing, sampling, artwork, approvals, and launch.
What You’ll Do
Participate in assortment planning and strategy discussions, helping identify the right product mix for each client and audience.
Develop a strong understanding of client brands, target customers, brand guidelines, and aesthetic standards.
Translate current and emerging trends into creative, commercially relevant product ideas.
Help drive creative direction for products, graphics, embellishments, packaging, and other product details.
Partner with internal design teams and external vendors throughout the product development process.
Build and source strategic, profitable product assortments.
Present product concepts and creative rationale to internal teams and clients.
Review tech packs, lab dips, samples, fit reviews, and other product-development details for accuracy and approval.
Manage development samples and coordinate client review and approval.
Negotiate with suppliers around pricing, quantities, quality, delivery, and other buying terms.
Run or participate in merchandise status meetings, client calls, and internal work-in-progress meetings.
Maintain product status trackers and assortment planning documents.
Help ensure product development stays on schedule and launches happen on time.
Partner across compliance, quality, sourcing, design, and other teams to ensure products meet expectations for brand, quality, margin, and execution.
What We’re Looking For
3+ years of experience in retail buying, product development, merchandising, merchandise planning, or a related area.
Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Buying, Marketing, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.
Experience identifying and interpreting product and consumer trends.
Ability to use market intelligence and customer insights to inform product decisions.
Experience developing relevant, profitable product assortments.
Strong organization and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple products, priorities, and deadlines at once.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively and influence across cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Comfortable working onsite in Woodinville, WA four days per week for the duration of the contract.
Nice to Have
Custom cut-and-sew product experience.
Custom hard goods product-development experience.
Smartsheet experience.
PLM and/or Oracle experience.
Why This Role
You’ll have the opportunity to work across the full product lifecycle, rather than owning just one small piece of the merchandising process.
You’ll help develop products and assortments for established brands while combining creativity, trends, analytics, sourcing, and product development.
This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll work closely with design, sourcing, vendors, clients, and other internal partners.
It’s a great opportunity for an experienced merchandiser who wants to jump into a fast-moving team, make an immediate impact, and take on a meaningful six-month contract from October through mid-April.
BDA is more than a workplace - it’s a family. For more than four decades we’ve promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise. BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Work arrangement
Yes