Fractional Merchandise & Marketing Lead

Your merch business needs someone owning strategy.

Most promotional and gifting companies are great at relationships and execution. The gap is at a senior level: someone who owns product strategy, range performance, and sourcing. That's where The Merch Lab comes in.

Let's Talk See How It Works

15+

Years in merch & gifting

50+

Brands worked with

SA +

Local & international sourcing

100%

Fractional. No headcount.

The Gap

No one is owning the strategy.

Inconsistent ranges, missed margin opportunities, reactive decisions when tenders land. These look like execution problems. But they're what happens when product strategy sits in the gap between your core team's responsibilities.

What I Do

Four ways I add value

Merchandise Strategy & Range Performance

I take ownership of your product range: what you sell, why it sells, and where it needs to evolve.

Range curation and refresh
Identifying gaps and slow-moving stock
Trend input and product direction
Improving sell-through and relevance

Sourcing, Suppliers & Margin Optimisation

Better sourcing decisions directly impact your bottom line. I help you buy smarter and negotiate more effectively.

Supplier sourcing, local and international
Cost negotiations and margin improvement
Access to new products and better MOQs
Trade show sourcing (China & Hong Kong)

E-Commerce & Marketing Support

Product only works if it sells. I connect your range to your marketing and platform performance.

E-commerce portal optimisation
Campaign planning and product pushes
Mailers and promotional content
Supporting your team to drive uptake

Team Support & Commercial Direction

I bring structure and direction to your team without adding headcount.

Guidance for account managers
Range and replenishment decisions
Input into tenders and proposals
Helping your team sell more effectively

How We Work

Flexible by design

Ongoing

Monthly Retainer

Negotiable

Ongoing support as your fractional merchandise lead. I'm embedded in your business without being on your payroll, available when you need strategic direction, sourcing input, or product leadership.

Practical. Commercial. In your corner.

I've spent the last 15+ years working across promotional merchandise, corporate gifting, e-commerce, and marketing, in roles that sit at the intersection of product, operations, and commercial strategy.

I've led teams, built and optimised e-commerce platforms, managed supplier networks, and driven business performance through a combination of clear strategy and hands-on execution. Most recently as Head of Digital: Marketing and Merchandise at a Cape Town-based manufacturer, and before that as General Manager at Creative Brands, where I led a team of 23.

Over time, I kept seeing the same gap. Strong relationships and great execution; but no one owning the product strategy. That's what led me to start The Merch Lab.

Coca-Cola Absa Discovery Nedbank FNB Old Mutual

I've dealt with Taryn from a client perspective and am continuously blown away by her enthusiasm for her brand, her attention to detail, her methodical approach to getting things done, and her willingness to personally be part of anything to ensure the outcome is right. Nothing that needs to get done is too much of an ask.

Angie Fraenkel Sales Manager, HAVAL N1 City

Ready to close the gap?

Whether you're looking for ongoing strategic support or have a specific project in mind, the best first step is a conversation. No obligation, no hard sell.

Email taryn@themerchlab.co.za

Phone +27 61 127 1852

Based Cape Town, South Africa

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/taryn-jacobs

Merchandise Strategy Range · Performance · Direction

Sourcing & Margin Local · International · Trade Shows

E-Commerce & Marketing Portals · Campaigns · Content

Team & Commercial Support Direction · Tenders · Proposals