Licensing & Merchandise Manager

Employment Hero

AI Job Summary

Experience in merchandise, retail buying, product development or licensing (ideally sport/apparel/lifestyle brands).
Strong commercial acumen with a track record driving revenue and margin outcomes.
Manage suppliers and product development cycles, including reviewing samples and ensuring brand alignment.

Role Type

On-site
Permanent
Full-time
Experienced

The Perth Bears are Western Australia’s newest professional sporting club, set to join the NRL in 2027. As a high-performance organisation, we’re committed to building strong foundations on and off the field to ensure long-term success. Joining our team means being part of a rare start-up opportunity in elite sport, where your expertise will directly shape the future of rugby league in WA and help deliver a lasting legacy for our community.

The Opportunity

As we build toward our debut NRL season in 2027, we’re looking for a commercially driven and detail-oriented Licensing & Merchandise Manager to lead the development, execution and growth of the Perth Bears retail and product strategy.

This role will own the end-to-end merchandise function from product creation and supplier management, game day apparel through to retail performance ensuring our range excites fans, delivers strong commercial returns and reflects the strength of the Perth Bears brand.

What You’ll Do

Reporting into the Head of Marketing, you’ll work cross-functionally with Business Operations, Football, Marketing, Partnerships and external suppliers to bring a best-in-class merchandise program to life across all channels. With retail operations currently outsourced.

Merchandise Strategy & Range Development

Lead the development of the Perth Bears merchandise strategy across all product categories (playing apparel, headwear, accessories and fan merchandise).
Build and manage seasonal and campaign-based product ranges aligned to key club moments (launch, player signings, heritage, finals, etc.).
Identify and develop new SKUs that drive fan engagement and commercial performance.
Work closely with the Football department to deliver authentic and high-demand player-led merchandise.
Ensure product mix balances core, trend-led and commercial opportunity ranges.

Supplier & Product Management

Manage relationships with key suppliers including New Balance/Belgravia, among other partners.
Oversee product development timelines from concept through to delivery.
Review samples, lab dips and strike-offs to ensure quality, fit and brand alignment.
Drive consistency across product ranges (including colour matching, finishes and branding execution).
Negotiate pricing, margins and minimum order quantities to maximise profitability.

Retail & Commercial Performance

Own the performance of the Perth Bears retail offering (online and future physical channels) and oversee the current outsourced operations.
Work closely with Marketing to align product launches with campaigns, content and key moments.
Partner with the Commercial team to deliver merchandise opportunities linked to sponsors and partnerships.
Monitor sales performance, stock levels and demand to optimise inventory and reduce risk.
Identify opportunities to grow revenue through new channels, product extensions and fan insights.

Licensing & Compliance

Manage all licensing requirements, ensuring compliance with NRL and partner guidelines.
Oversee approvals processes across all licensed products.
Identify and develop new licensing opportunities to expand the Bears brand footprint.
Ensure brand integrity is maintained across all merchandise and licensed products.

Operations & Delivery

Manage product timelines to ensure on-time delivery aligned to campaign and season requirements.
Work alongside the finance team to manage contra product and uniform ordering and allocations and overall budget.
Oversee forecasting, ordering and stock management processes.
Work with internal teams and partners to ensure seamless execution from production to customer.
Establish clear processes and systems as the merchandise function scales.

Governance, Safety & Brand Integrity

Ensure all products meet quality, safety and compliance standards.
Maintain consistency with brand guidelines across all merchandise.
Apply strong commercial judgement to balance creativity with profitability.

What We’re Looking For

Experience in merchandise, retail buying, product development or licensing (ideally in sport, apparel or lifestyle brands).
Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving revenue and margin outcomes.
Experience managing suppliers and product development cycles.
Ability to interpret sales data and translate insights into product decisions and budget management.
Strong stakeholder management across internal teams and external partners.
High attention to detail across product, branding and execution.
Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced environment.

Experience in sports licensing and working with governing bodies.
Understanding of apparel production, fabrics and manufacturing processes.
Experience launching or scaling a retail/eCommerce offering.
Passion for sport and fan culture.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a job – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the commercial success of Perth’s first NRL team. You’ll be part of a start-up phase where your ideas, energy, and leadership will directly influence the club’s future.
Shape a brand-new NRL club from the ground up.
Be part of a once-in-a-generation sporting project.
Work in a dynamic, ambitious, and supportive start-up culture.
Leave your mark on rugby league in WA.

Working in a Start-Up Environment

The Perth Bears are a start-up organisation in a critical foundation phase. Like other roles recruited to date, this position is intentionally hands-on and will initially operate with lean support structures.

The role will be fully accountable for establishing, delivering, and operating the function, while the club grows. This is not a role with layers of administration or inherited systems. You will be required to design processes, integrate technology platforms, build relationships, solve problems in real time, and deliver outcomes concurrently.

Success in this role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong personal accountability, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategic planning and day-to-day execution.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to join one of the most exciting new ventures in Australian sport, we want to hear from you. Apply now with your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and why you’re the right person to build the Bears’ future.

Please note that you will be sent a mandatory pre-screening questionnaire via email after submitting your application.

Important Information

This role is based in Perth, Western Australia and remote working opportunities are not available.

The Perth Bears are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disability.

Please note, the Perth Bears do not accept unsolicited applications or requests for employment sent directly to the Club. Only applications submitted through the advertised channels will be considered.

Applications will be reviewed as received, we encourage early applications, as interviews may commence prior to the advertised closing date, and the ad will be closed early should a suitable candidate be identified.

Not open to recruitment agencies.