Job openings/Wikimedia Merchandise Manager

JOB TITLE Manager, Wikimedia Merchandise [CLOSED]

REPORTS TO Head of Communications

JOB PURPOSE Lead the Wikimedia Foundation's online merchandise shop and introduce new branded products to recognize global volunteer contributions and help readers celebrate the Wikimedia movement.

POSITION SUMMARY Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
 * Manage the Foundation's on-line merchandise store from top to bottom: financial management, operations, fulfillment and logistics, marketing, product development, and more.
 * Develop a unique business model for the Foundation that gradually increases product sales and distribution while simultaneously funding distribution of free merchandise around the world.
 * Commission new product concepts and designs from our product printing partner, designers, artists, and members of our global volunteer community.
 * Be a design and production consultant to Wikimedia staff, partners, and global chapters.
 * Develop a global network of on-line stores and distribution centers to bring low-priced, high-quality merchandise to the Wikimedia community around the world.
 * Oversee the work of contractors and business partners towards mission and business goals, and foster new relationships with prospective partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 * Five or more years experience in the creation or management of profitable on-line merchandise operations, preferably with a highly visible, global brand, organization, or movement.
 * Strong knowledge of the retail, product/merchandise, apparel or other related industries (including active contacts, industry affiliations etc.).
 * Bachelor's degree in business or commerce; MBA preferred.
 * Deep understanding of business planning, operations management, and finance; including retail sales issues such as taxation, shipping and logistics, and inventory control.
 * Brand ambassador: demonstrated ability to showcase complex and popular brands in retail merchandise channels.
 * Willingness to dive into hands-on operational duties and concurrent tasks.
 * Candidates must be highly proficient in office software, particularly spreadsheets and database management. Candidates should be prepared to support the Foundation's opensource software focus.
 * Strong communications skills, particularly strong English writing skills, are critical for this role. Candidates will be expected to prepare online store and marketing copy, product briefs, reports, and project overviews.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 * Project management experience, including the use of software-based time management and project resource tools is highly desirable.
 * Experience working with on-line, enterprise merchandise sales tools (Zazzle, shopify, etc.)
 * Basic knowledge of CSS, HTML, java or other web programming tools would be an asset.
 * Experience leading projects in a global, multi-lingual environment, including collaboration with volunteers for whom English is not a first language.
 * Experience working within the open-source, free culture communities, or collaborative, on-line communities would be a strong asset.
 * Experience working with wikis or other web-based, open collaboration tools is highly desirable.
 * Fluency and demonstrated ability to work in a language other than English is a major plus.
 * Experience living or working outside of your home country is a major plus.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS
 * Highly creative and innovative.
 * Strong sense of aesthetic judgment and design intuition for a wide range of projects.
 * A wealth of energy, drive and commitment to Wikimedia's mission: a deep belief in the value of Wikimedia, the ability to exude enthusiasm for Wikimedia's mission and powerfully embody and communicate Wikimedia's mission.
 * Data-driven attitude: a willingness to stay on top of data, insistence on subjecting one's own approaches and activities to rigorous analysis, and a willingness to stop doing what is proven to be ineffective.
 * Scheduling flexibility: a willingness to flex schedule to communicate regularly with the community around the world.