Vending Program Owner
As part of our interview process and our commitment to building high-performing teams, we’ve partnered with The Culture Index Program to better understand work styles and team dynamics. To support this process, we kindly ask you to complete a brief survey as part of the application process when submitting your profile. It should take no more than 7 minutes, and there are no right or wrong answers. We appreciate your participation and look forward to learning more about how you might fit within our team! Culture Index Survey: Build the Next Big Thing in Collectibles Retail Sales First Distribution is launching a bold new initiative—and we’re looking for an entrepreneurial Program Owner to bring our trading-card vending business to life. This is a rare opportunity to build a program from the ground up , shape the customer experience, and pioneer a new way for collectors to discover the products they love. In this role, you will be the driving force behind our vending-machine network: selecting prime locations, curating high-demand card assortments, managing operations, and steering the growth strategy. You’ll collaborate closely with purchasing, marketing, vendors, and retail partners to craft an experience that excites collectors and unlocks an entirely new revenue channel for Southern Hobby. If you are passionate about TCGs, energized by hands-on operational work, and eager to scale a new business line with real ownership, this role is for you! Key Responsibilities Launch & 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 & Skills 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. #LI-Remote