About the role

Freedom of Movement is looking for a Merch Assistant to keep our Product team running smoothly. Sitting within the Buying department and reporting to the Buying Manager, you'll be the person who knows where every sample is, keeps the Design Centre in perfect order, and makes sure nothing from a trim to a travel booking falls through the cracks. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role at the heart of how our product comes to life, and a great entry point into buying and merchandising in a growing lifestyle brand.

What you'll do

• Manage samples end to end. Coordinate and track all incoming and outgoing samples; domestic and international, logging them on the day of receipt, keeping the status report current, tracking shipping costs, and following up with buyers and suppliers on outstanding approvals so nothing delays production.
• Keep the Product team's admin running. Save and organise product images on the shared drive, file travel receipts and invoices, prepare seasonal range boards, coordinate department meetings, and arrange travel for the team when needed.
• Own the Design Centre. Keep the space clean, organised and meeting-ready, run seasonal sample clean-ups, and manage the tagging process so every sample is correctly labelled and stored in the right season.
• Support quality control. Conduct bulk QC audits on replenishment stock against FOM standards and seal samples, accurately measure and record results to Acceptable Quality Limits, report findings to our Technologists, and keep the store defects spreadsheet up to date.
• Keep communication flowing. Liaise with suppliers and courier partners on parcel dispatch and delivery, resolving any delays within two working days and share weekly sample and approval status updates with the team.
• Assist with personalization. Support the Personalization team with garment and accessory customisation, ensuring correct placement, spelling and application to brand standards, and handling personalised items with care.

Who you are

• 1–2 years' experience in a similar role; retail environment experience is advantageous.
• Naturally organised, with strong record-keeping instincts and sharp attention to detail; you double-check, you keep clean records, and you stay accurate under pressure.
• A confident communicator who can follow up with suppliers, buyers and internal teams to keep approvals and updates on track.
• Someone who takes pride in a structured, well-run workspace.
• Grade 12 required; a diploma or certificate in Retail, Merchandising or a related field is a plus.

What we offer

At Freedom of Movement, our mission is to be an inspirational and conscious South African brand that connects deeply with our customers by delivering authentic, high-quality lifestyle products. Working here offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of an aspirational brand that empowers employees to shape their own destinies and embrace true freedom: the freedom to dream, create, and move. We provide a dynamic environment rich in development opportunities, where you can contribute positively to our growth. Our unique culture, "Uhambo," meaning "journey" in Zulu and Xhosa, embodies the adventure of overcoming challenges and seeking new experiences. It reflects our commitment to teamwork, resilience, and continuous improvement as we inspire innovation and deliver superior products and services. Uhambo - "together we move to inspire."

Job Type:    Full-time

Location:    HQ, Unit 3 Harvest Park, Harvest Close, Richmond Industrial Precinct, Cape Town