Job Overview
Build and manage a trading-card vending machine network from the ground up, including selecting locations, curating inventory, overseeing operations, and driving growth strategy in the collectibles retail space.
Responsibilities
- Launch and expand the program by identifying and securing high-value locations that attract collectors, gamers, and hobby enthusiasts.
- Source and manage inventory, from staple products to limited-edition items, negotiating with vendors to maintain strong stock levels and healthy margins.
- Curate the perfect mix for each machine: rotate inventory, introduce exclusives, test new assortments, and adjust based on performance and fan behavior.
- Oversee all machine operations, including restocking schedules, maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensuring every machine delivers a seamless customer experience.
- Own the data by monitoring location-level sales, sell-through, stock-outs, and customer trends to refine strategy and maximize revenue.
- Partner with marketing to activate promotions, hype product drops, and engage local collector communities through social media, retail events, and partnerships.
- Manage program financials, including budgets, machine acquisition or leasing, pricing strategy, and profitability targets.
- Ensure compliance with vending, licensing, and retailer guidelines across all locations.
- Drive expansion, exploring new markets, testing new machine formats, and supporting long-term scaling plans.
Qualifications
- Experience in retail operations, vending, automated retail, collectibles, or hobby merchandise; experience in self-service retail networks is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of TCG and collectible card markets, including product trends, customer behavior, and release cycles.
- Excellent vendor negotiation and partnership-building skills.
- Analytical and data-driven, able to forecast demand, interpret sales trends, and plan inventory effectively.
- Highly entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and comfortable owning a program with many moving parts.
- Strong operational skills: restocking logistics, machine maintenance coordination, payment system oversight, and inventory control.
- Ability to support marketing and community engagement efforts within collector and hobbyist spaces.
- Solid financial acumen for budgeting, pricing, and margin analysis.
