Role: Merchandising & Gifting Manager Location: Swansea HQ Onsite Salary: £45,000-£50,000 Department: Operations About Au Vodka Au Vodka isn’t just a drinks brand, it’s a movement. Born in Wales and recognised globally, we’ve redefined what a modern FMCG brand can be. From our iconic gold bottles to boundary-pushing flavours, we’ve built a brand that stands out, scales fast, and connects with a new generation of consumers. Our ambition is bold: to become the first FMCG business founded in Wales to reach a $1 billion valuation. We think global, move fast, and build category-defining brands from unexpected places. Already sold across multiple international markets, we’re not just part of the spirits industry, we’re disrupting it. About the Position Role Purpose - The Merchandise & Gifting Manager is responsible for the end-to-end ownership of all branded merchandise and gifting, from concept and creative ideation through to sourcing, production, co-packing, delivery, and post-project review. This role ensures all merchandise and gifting is on-brand, commercially viable, delivered on time and within budget, and supports wider objectives across marketing, sales, activations, customers, partners, and internal teams. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy, Ideation & Planning Own the merchandise and gifting roadmap, aligned to brand, marketing, sales and activation plans Proactively generate creative merchandise and gifting concepts (e.g. retail promotions, corporate gifting) Translate briefs into clear, costed options with recommendations ( MOQs, lead times, COGS) Maintain awareness of market trends, materials, finishes, and innovative formats 2. Sourcing, Supplier Management & Negotiation Source, onboard and manage global merchandise and packaging suppliers Obtain and compare quotes, ensuring best value, quality, lead time and reliability Lead commercial negotiations on unit costs, MOQs, tooling, freight and payment terms Build long-term supplier relationships while maintaining competitive tension Ensure all suppliers meet brand, ethical, quality and compliance standards 3. Sampling, Product Development & Approval Manage the sampling and prototyping process end-to-end Review samples against brand standards, functionality and quality Coordinate internal approvals with Marketing, Founders, Commercial and Ops Track and sign-off points to avoid delays or scope creep 4. Production, Ordering & Logistics Place and manage purchase orders for merchandise and gifting items Track production timelines and proactively manage risks to delivery Support with inbound logistics, freight, customs (where required) and warehousing Maintain clear visibility of stock levels, lead times and future demand 5. Co-Packing & Project Delivery Plan and manage co-packing activities, including kitting, assembly and presentation Brief and coordinate with 3PLs, co-packers and internal operations teams Oversee full project delivery from concept to final dispatch Ensure gifting arrives on time, complete and presentation-ready 6. Stakeholder & Relationship Management Act as the central point of contact for merchandise and gifting across the business Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Ops and Finance Manage external relationships with suppliers, co-packers, logistics partners Communicate progress clearly, flag risks early, and provide regular updates 7. Budget, Reporting & Continuous Improvement Own the merchandise and gifting budget, tracking spend vs forecast Report on costs, savings, timelines and performance by project Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve lead times or simplify processes Build and maintain standardised SOPs, suppliers lists and templates Key Deliverables Merchandise & gifting concepts and options decks Costed proposals with recommendations Approved samples and production specs Purchase orders and delivery schedules Co-packing plans and execution Budget tracking and post-project reviews Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Essential Proven experience in merchandise, promotional products, gifting or brand activations Strong supplier sourcing and negotiation capability Experience managing multiple projects end-to-end Commercially minded with strong attention to detail Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills Ability to work at pace in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment Desirable Experience working with FMCG, spirits, lifestyle or premium brands Knowledge of co-packing, logistics and 3PL operations International sourcing experience Strong brand and aesthetic judgement Personal Attributes Creative but commercially grounded Highly organised and delivery-focused Confident communicator Proactive problem-solver Comfortable owning projects independently Success Measures (KPIs) On-time, in-full delivery of merchandise and gifting projects Budget adherence and cost savings achieved Quality and brand consistency Internal stakeholder satisfaction Supplier performance and reliability Why Join Au Vodka High-growth FMCG business with global ambition Opportunity to help build a billion-dollar brand Fast-paced, creative environment with real ownership No corporate red tape — your impact matters What you’ll get: Early Finish Fridays 4pm Fresh lunches prepared daily by our in-house chef State-of-the-art office with onsite parking Companywide “win together” bonus scheme Your birthday off Epic launch parties and team events Enhanced maternity and paternity leave We move fast. We think big. We back our people. If you’re ready to help take a brand from Wales to the world, Au Vodka is the place to be.