--- title: 'Merchandising Manager at Ernest' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/merchandising-manager-ernest-sacramento-california-6nsv7535fp3c' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-14' --- # Merchandising Manager at Ernest - **Company:** Ernest - **Location:** Sacramento California, United States - **Posted:** 2026-09-11 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ernestpackagingsolutions/jobs/4712862006 ## Job description Merchandising Manager Location: Sacramento, CA | Full-Time | On-Site Pay Range: 85-90k Lead with Purpose. Build with Integrity. Grow with Ernest. At Ernest, our merchandising team does more than manage purchasing, they shape the foundation of how we serve our customers. We’re searching for a Merchandising Manager to lead our team of buyers (we call them merchandisers because, well, they do a lot more than just purchase). This on-site leadership role is ideal for someone who brings procurement expertise, a focus on cost savings, and a passion for developing people and processes. You’ll be at the center of our supply strategy, helping us deliver smarter solutions to our clients while guiding a strong and capable team. If you're obsessed with vendor strategy, and have a sixth sense for identifying savings opportunities, we want to meet you. Key Responsibilities: ## Team Leadership & Development - Manage, coach, and support a team of merchandisers (buyers), ensuring alignment with company goals and individual growth. - Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment through regular meetings, performance reviews, and ongoing support. - Hire, train, and onboard new merchandisers with a focus on long-term development and cultural fit. Vendor Management & Strategic Sourcing - Build and maintain strong relationships with top suppliers, acting as the primary point of contact for negotiations and performance management. - Evaluate vendor opportunities, market shifts, and new product introductions to position Ernest as a strategic and value-driven buyer. - Lead cost-saving initiatives through improved pricing, favorable terms, and optimized purchasing strategies and coach your team to do the same. - Stay one step ahead of market shifts, supplier trends, and product innovations so our team always buys smart. - Train your team on negotiation strategies, cost-saving tactics, and how to think like strategic buyers, not just order placers. Inventory Oversight & Financial Impact - Oversee inventory levels, particularly for custom or client-specific items, ensuring alignment with company targets and turnover goals. - Review inventory and purchasing activity regularly to maintain optimal supply levels and reduce excess. - Collaborate with the sales, credit, and operations teams to address low gross profit orders and identify opportunities to enhance margins. Process Management & Systems Optimization - Use our ERP system (SAP) to track, analyze, and manage all purchasing and inventory functions with accuracy and efficiency. - Identify and implement improvements in purchasing procedures, systems, and reporting to enhance operational effectiveness. - Stay informed on industry trends, cost changes, supplier developments, and product innovations that may impact the business. Qualifications: - Minimum 3 years of experience in purchasing, merchandising, or procurement leadership. - Proven track record in vendor negotiation, cost savings, and supplier relationship management. - Experience with ERP systems required; SAP experience preferred. - Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and mentor a team while managing multiple priorities. - Analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable making data-informed decisions that align with company goals. - Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. Why Join Ernest? For over 80 years, Ernest has been built on a culture of connection, respect, and doing right by our people. When you join us, you become part of a team that values your experience, your perspective, and your drive to make a difference. Our employees often say it feels like a second home, and we work hard to keep it that way. Apply now and help lead a team that buys smart, negotiates boldly, and moves business forward. Ernest is a nationwide company, but did you know that our humble roots started in a Los Angeles garage? Brothers Ernie and Charles Wilson founded the company in 1946 with a dedication to customized service. Even after decades of delivering great packaging to our customers, that commitment has never changed. We always find the best solution to fit our customers’ needs, even if we have to invent it! ## About Ernest ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Ernest Packaging Solutions is a family-owned packaging and supply chain company that provides end-to-end solutions including design, production, and supply chain management for industrial and consumer clients. - **Entity Type**: Private (family-owned, bootstrapped since 1946) - **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States - **Founded**: 1946 - **Founders**: Ernest and Charles (brothers) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Packaging and Containers Manufacturing; supply chain management - **Target customers**: B2B – mid-market to enterprise clients across industries (industrial, consumer goods, food & beverage, temperature-sensitive products) - **Mission/purpose**: “To be the place where meaningful human connections happen” – Focus on relationship-driven service and innovative packaging solutions. ## Products & Services - **Packaging Design and Production**: Custom packaging for industrial, consumer, and temperature-controlled applications, including sustainable packaging. - **Packaging Supply Chain Management**: End-to-end logistics optimization, vendor management, and cost reduction. - **Packaging Process Design and Automation**: Automated packaging line design, testing, and validation to improve efficiency. - **Facility and Safety Solutions**: Industrial supplies and safety products beyond packaging. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private family-owned) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue ≈ $250M (LinkedIn estimate, 2024) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Self-funded; key long-term clients include Amgen, AT&T, and various Fortune 500 companies - **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 10.5% YoY (511 employees, per LinkedIn); operates 14+ U.S. locations and 9 countries; client tenure averages 25+ years; 80 years of industry experience. ## Competitive Advantages - **Long-term client relationships**: Average client tenure of 25 years demonstrates trust and durable partnerships. - **Family-owned stability**: Independent decision-making without shareholder pressure, allowing emphasis on relationships over short-term profits. - **Full-service offering**: Design, production, supply chain, automation, and safety – a one-stop shop. - **Culture of innovation**: “Challenge conventions” and “creative solutions” embedded in company values. ## Strategic Focus - **Moving beyond packaging**: Expanding into end-to-end business solutions (supply chain, facility safety, process automation). - **Geographic growth**: Continued expansion across U.S. markets and international reach (UK, France, Nigeria, Ghana, etc.). - **Sustainability**: Emphasizing sustainable packaging designs and helping clients reduce environmental impact. - **Human-centric service**: Deepening client relationships through a “customer-first” philosophy. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Values-driven with an emphasis on integrity, play-to-win attitude, and community involvement. Described as “challenging” but supportive – “not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for jerks.” - **Work Policy**: In-office / on-site (multiple locations nationwide; no remote or hybrid mentioned). - **Benefits**: Competitive compensation, personal/family benefits, community involvement, growth and development programs, and a “Dream” of meaningful human connections. - **Recognition**: Regular employee appreciation and celebration; open-door policy from leadership. - **Growth**: Career empowerment and professional development are core values; active job postings (60+ listed) indicate ongoing hiring. ## Sources 1. [Ernest Packaging Solutions – About Us](https://www.ernestpackaging.com/about-us/) 2. [Ernest Packaging Solutions – Careers](https://www.ernestpackaging.com/careers/) 3. [Ernest Packaging Solutions – Homepage](https://www.ernestpackaging.com/) 4. [LinkedIn – Ernest Packaging Solutions](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ernest-packaging-solutions) 5. 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