Online Store Manager | Buyer | Product Development

Company Description

Black Bear is one of the world’s leading independent studios, producing and releasing the highest quality films across all genres. Founded in 2011, with offices in Santa Monica and London, the studio is behind a diversified slate that blends critically acclaimed, filmmaker-driven fare with broadly commercial action and genre titles. The company directly distributes films in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, and Canada. Black Bear’s original films include Academy Award nominees Train Dreams, The Imitation Game, Sing Sing, Nyad, and Mudbound, previous releases such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Dumb Money, Immaculate, I Care a Lot, A Working Man, and Shelter, and upcoming titles including Tuner, In The Grey, Spa Weekend, The Rivals of Amziah King, and more.

About the Role

Black Bear Pictures is seeking an entrepreneurial and creatively driven merchandising buyer to oversee our soon-to-launch bespoke DTC retail business. This role will own the end-to-end strategy and execution of merchandise across Black Bear’s slate—spanning company-branded products, film-specific drops, and experiential retail tied to premieres, festivals, and pop-up activations. This is a unique opportunity to blend storytelling, design, and commerce into compelling products that resonate with audiences and collectors alike.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Development

• Lead the ideation, sourcing, and design of merchandise across all categories (apparel, collectibles, collaborations, etc.)
• Translate film IP and brand identity into distinctive, high-quality product lines
• Oversee the full product lifecycle from concept through development, production, and launch
• Identify and execute limited-edition drops tied to film campaigns, premieres, and cultural moments

Retail & Commerce Execution

• Launch and manage Black Bear’s online retail store (Shopify-based)
• Develop merchandising calendars aligned with film releases and marketing beats
• Plan and execute pop-up retail activations and event-based sales opportunities

Vendor & Production Management

• Source and manage manufacturing partners and vendors
• Negotiate pricing, production schedules, and delivery terms
• Oversee SKU creation, purchase order entry, and lifecycle tracking
• Ensure product quality, margin targets, and timely delivery

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Marketing, Publicity, Finance, and Legal teams to align on campaigns, approvals, and budgets
• Develop and manage brand and artist collaborations, including licensing and partnership opportunities
• Serve as the internal point person for all merchandise-related initiatives

Analytics & Inventory Management

• Build and maintain reporting tools to track sales performance, inventory levels, and customer trends
• Analyze data to inform product strategy and pricing
• Manage inventory planning, forecasting, and replenishment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in merchandising, product development, retail buying, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in buying and/or product development, ideally within entertainment, media, or a culturally relevant brand
• Proven experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating production terms
• Strong understanding of retail operations, including e-commerce platforms (Shopify preferred)
• Experience with SKU management, purchase orders, and inventory systems
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced environment

Who You Are

• Deeply passionate about film, storytelling, design, and culture
• Highly creative with a “blue-sky” mindset
• Commercially savvy with a strong instinct for what audiences will want to buy and collect
• Collaborative and flexible, with the ability to work across diverse teams
• Detail-oriented and execution-focused, with a commitment to excellence at every stage

Salary Range

• Salary range of $100,000 - $115,000
• Includes Medical, dental, and vision, 401(k)