Company: Mini Katana https://minikatana.com/
Working Hours: US Pacific
Apply here: https://forms.gle/x2ukj1PDjEEm5Gc98
About the Role
We're looking for a Merchandising and Sourcing Specialist who genuinely understands anime, comics, gaming, collectibles, and fan culture.
You'll help identify, source, and develop products that resonate with our customers. This role combines trend research, merchandising, product sourcing, commercial judgment, and creative product development, while working closely with suppliers and our internal teams to bring new products to market.
Our Ideal Person
You're genuinely obsessed with anime, comics, and gaming—not just professionally, but personally. You grew up watching anime and still keep up with current series, releases, characters, and trends. You've spent plenty of time playing PC, PlayStation, or other games and understand what gaming communities are excited about.
You can talk confidently about the anime you're currently watching, games you've played, collectibles you follow, and what's trending across fan communities. More importantly, you understand why fans want certain products and can turn that knowledge into strong merchandising ideas.
Ideally, you've worked as a merchandiser before and have hands-on experience sourcing products for an e-commerce business. You're comfortable finding and evaluating suppliers, comparing samples and pricing, negotiating with manufacturers, and managing products from initial idea through production.
You also understand the practical side of getting products from a supplier to the customer, including international shipping, Incoterms such as FOB, freight-forwarder coordination, customs and import documentation, landed costs, and supplier payment terms.
Experience working with swords, armor, replicas, collectibles, or similar products is a major plus.
Responsibilities
- Research trends across anime, manga, comics, gaming, collectibles, and online fan communities.
- Identify new product and merchandise opportunities based on trends, customer demand, and gaps in the market.
- Source products and communicate directly with suppliers and manufacturers.
- Help develop original product concepts that appeal to anime, gaming, and collectible audiences.
- Evaluate samples for design, quality, pricing, and commercial potential.
- Compare suppliers and negotiate pricing, minimum order quantities, payment terms, and Incoterms—including FOB—while monitoring production timelines.
- Coordinate international shipping, freight forwarders, customs and importation requirements, shipping documents, and delivery timelines.
- Maintain an organized product-development and sourcing pipeline.
- Review sales performance and customer feedback to recommend new products and improvements.
- Collaborate with marketing, creative, and operations teams on product launches.
- Monitor competitors, fandom trends, and emerging opportunities within the ACG space.
Requirements
- Deep personal knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for anime, manga/comics, gaming, collectibles, and related fan communities.
- Professional experience in merchandising, product sourcing, buying, product development, or e-commerce.
- Strong product judgment and an understanding of what makes merchandise appealing to fans.
- Hands-on experience researching, sourcing, and communicating with suppliers or manufacturers.
- Working knowledge of international shipping, FOB and other Incoterms, freight forwarders, supplier payment terms, and import logistics.
- Strong organization, communication, negotiation, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to evaluate pricing, landed costs, quality, customer demand, and profitability when making product decisions.
- Comfortable managing multiple products, suppliers, and deadlines simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working specifically as a merchandiser.
- Experience sourcing products from overseas manufacturers.
- Hands-on experience coordinating freight forwarders, international shipping and importation, including shipments arranged under FOB or similar terms.
- Experience with licensed or fandom-based merchandise.
- Experience working with collectibles, apparel, accessories, replicas, gaming products, swords, or armor.
- Understanding of e-commerce sales data and product-performance metrics.
- Existing supplier or manufacturer relationships are a plus.
How to Apply
Visit:
https://forms.gle/x2ukj1PDjEEm5Gc98
