Manager, Sourcing & Merchandising; Edutainment

Position: Manager, Sourcing & Merchandising (Edutainment) - 1 Year Contract
Location: Awāzāpur

This role is hired under Mandai X, the growth accelerator and venture building arm of Mandai Wildlife Group.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

We live in a world where the delicate balance with nature has been disrupted. Reversing this trend will require a global effort of unprecedented speed and scale.

An impossible task alone.

Which is why we challenge ourselves to reach 1 billion consumers, as potential for change can only happen when many come together.

And this is where Mandai X can make a difference. Working to influence changes in attitudes, decisions and behaviours.

Leveraging over 50 years of experience in inspiring people to value and protect nature as part of the Mandai Wildlife Group, our efforts will spark, catalyse and accelerate innovative ventures in completely new domains to drive growth and impact beyond boundaries. Eliminating the well-entrenched trade-offs faced between commercial, human and the planet's wellbeing; and blending everything together so that these usual conflicts faced are aligned.

We will redefine what a better life means; and unleash humanity's collective power to make this change through impactful ventures that enable and empower individuals and companies with everyday choices that not only help them, but also make the world a better place at the same time.

Welcome to Mandai X.

About This Role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Merchandising Manager to lead the development and execution of merchandise under the Ranger Buddies brand. This role will focus on product development, supplier management, and the creation of merchandise that resonates with children and families while supporting our mission of conservation and sustainability. The successful candidate will bring supply chain know-how, flexibility in problem-solving, and the ability to balance creative ambitions with manufacturing realities.

Who You Are

You are a builder at heart — someone who thrives when things aren't perfectly defined. You've probably worked in an early-stage startup or small, fast-moving team where a product idea had to be turned into something real. Plans change, designs evolve, and yet you've learned how to make it happen without losing sight of quality or deadlines.

You're comfortable with chaos but bring order when it's needed. When last-minute changes come in, you don't panic — you assess, reconfigure, and find the best way forward. You understand supply chain realities, you can talk manufacturing with suppliers, and you know just enough about engineering to call out when something won't work (or suggest how it could).

You're also a diplomat. In merchandising, everyone has an opinion — from designers to marketers to leadership to clients. You know that not every opinion can be acted on, and you have the judgment to pick the battles worth fighting while keeping relationships strong.

If you've worked on licensed merchandise before, you know how to navigate brand/IP rules and manage the added complexity that comes with it. That's a big plus.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Merchandise Development & Product Innovation

Drive the design-to-production process for Ranger Buddies merchandise, ensuring products are engaging, safe, and aligned with brand values.
Translate creative ideas into manufacturable products, balancing innovation, feasibility, cost, and sustainability.
Apply technical/engineering know-how to evaluate materials, construction, and production methods to ensure durability and quality.

Supplier & Manufacturing Management

Identify, assess, and negotiate with suppliers and manufacturers, ensuring alignment on quality, cost, and timelines.
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors globally to ensure agility in production.
Manage production timelines, inventory, and quality control, making swift adjustments when last-minute changes occur.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Diplomacy

Collaborate with internal teams (design, marketing, sales) to bring merchandise concepts to life.
Balance diverse perspectives, knowing when to accommodate and when to push back, ensuring product development stays on track.
Serve as a mediator between creative ambitions and operational realities.

Licensing & Brand…