merch program manager

Pinterest is looking for a Merch Program Manager (contractor) to run the day-to-day operations of our centralized merch program and Pinterest Merch Storefront. This role will sit on the Workplace Experience team and partner closely with Events, People, Brand, Comms, Finance, and Procurement to bring our merch strategy to life through excellent execution.

You will manage the end-to-end operational workflow for Pinterest-branded merchandise, while bringing forward thoughtful strategy recommendations and driving their implementation across the program if approved. Strategy, roadmap, and final policy decisions will remain with the internal merch program lead that you will report to.

What you’ll do

• Facilitate day-to-day operations of the Pinterest Merch Storefront; ensuring a smooth, scalable experience for internal and external purchasers.
• Coordinate with our merch vendor (single vendor) on quotes, timelines, samples, production status, tracking, and issue resolution for orders, gift campaigns, and special projects.
• Approve restocks and make recommendations to replace or discontinue
• Ensure our vendor is set up for success with clear briefs, timelines, and context for key launches and programs.
• Act as the first point of contact for merch program, questions and requests (e.g., via shared aliases and forms), triaging inquiries and guiding partners to the right paths
• Partner closely with Events and Workplace teammates to align merch solutions with internal events, on-sites, and other experience programs.
• Assist two other internal teams to work with the vendor and align their business gifting needs and program goals. Assisting with troubleshooting as it arises.
• Deliver change management and education across key stakeholder groups (e.g., ABPs, managers, Sales, Recruiting, I&B, L&D), including trainings, office hours, and ongoing communications.
• Draft guidelines into clear playbooks, FAQs, templates, and Internal Internet content; keep all documentation up to date as the program evolves
• Help plan and execute seasonal program launches, opt out/donation/credit workflows, and catalog updates; coordinating timelines, testing flows, and capturing feedback.
• Be knowledgeable and champion our guiding principles for merch (brand expression, sustainability, social impact, and responsible spend) in day-to-day decisions, recommending options that balance impact, experience, and budget.
• Support governance and compliance by ensuring all orders follow purchasing guidelines, approved vendor pathways, and the correct coding, in partnership with Finance and Procurement.
• Flag edge cases and exceptions to the internal merch program lead for decisions, and help operationalize approved changes in playbooks and processes.
• Weekly: Provide updates in 1:1s with the merch program lead regarding operational gaps, pain points, or program successes.
• Monthly: Pull and interpret storefront dashboards for inventory decision making; propose process improvements and escalate strategic or policy decisions to the internal merch program lead.
• Quarterly: Interpret quarterly finance reports; surface insights and recommendations to the merch program lead.
• Manage all onsite merch-related tasks and logistics including:
• Keeping the team storage closet organized and ensure inventory, supplies, and samples are stored in an organized and accessible way.
• Receive product samples and organize for easy review and decision-making.
• Sort, pack, and ship event merch as needed to support internal activations and programs.
• Set up merch pop-ups, displays and help internal buyers as-needed to review samples in person.
• Provide additional support as needed for the team, including onsite event production support.

You’ll Be Successful in This Role if You Have:

• 2-4 years in program or operations management in a related area (workplace, events, marketing operations, merchandising, or similar).
• Experience administering a merch, swag, gifting, or e-commerce program (or a strong adjacent operations background with an interest in merch).
• Demonstrated success managing complex operational workflows end-to-end, including intake, prioritization, execution, and follow-through.
• Strong vendor management skills: you’re comfortable coordinating with external partners on timelines, scope, budgets, and quality, and escalating when needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; you can translate policy into clear, friendly guidelines, templates, and trainings for a range of stakeholders.
• High level of comfort with spreadsheets and reporting tools (e.g., Google Sheets) to track budgets, credits, orders, and program performance.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines and stakeholders.
• A service-minded, collaborative working style — you enjoy helping internal partners navigate new processes and find the right merch solutions.
• AI Forward: Comfort using AI tools and proactively identifies ways to streamline workflows using AI, while exercising strong judgment by editing for quality and ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Comfortable operating as a contractor: you bring forward thoughtful recommendations and handle execution, while deferring final strategy, policy, and exception decisions to the internal merch program lead.