Merchandise Manager

Location: Fort Wayne, IN | Mid-Level role within the Merchandising division, reporting to the Divisional Merchandise Manager. Travel: approximately 10%.

About the Role

The Merchandise Manager locates and purchases products to be sold to our members and distribution centers. This includes developing, implementing, and communicating distribution center and direct shipment programs, developing and maintaining departmental planograms, and profitably growing a business segment. The role focuses on vendors, products, promotions, and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development of appropriate product mix for members, including setting line review schedules, product selection, evaluations, and reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve inventory metrics such as service level, turn, and gross margin.
• Aid in the execution of the biannual Market convention preparation process and negotiation of Market specials.
• Travel for vendor meetings, markets, and member meetings to build relationships and represent the company externally.

Accountabilities

Category & Product Strategy

• Set the strategic vision for the department’s product portfolio, ensuring it reflects market insights, performance trends, and future opportunities.
• Drive innovation and category leadership by guiding the introduction of new products and lines that expand profitability and market presence.
• Shape vendor partnership strategy to optimize assortments across warehouse, drop ship, and eCommerce channels.
• Lead the product lifecycle strategy, defining review cadences and decision-making frameworks aligned with enterprise goals.

Vendor & Market Engagement

• Set the vision for vendor partnerships, ensuring relationships drive innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.
• Steer high-level negotiations to secure best-in-class pricing, terms, and incentives that strengthen company and retailer profitability.
• Lead the strategic design of Market elements by shaping the floorplan, curating vendor participation, and driving deal selections that maximize retailer engagement and profitability.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability with vendors and members, aligning all stakeholders around shared growth objectives.

Pricing, Profitability & Promotions

• Support the Pricing team to achieve optimal pricing strategy for landed costs, member costs, and competitive retail pricing while achieving or exceeding margin targets.
• Contribute to promotional planning, online campaigns, and vendor specials, ensuring alignment with retailer needs.
• Recommend and refine MPG/RPG programs that drive sales and enhance margins.

Operations, Inventory & Data Analysis

• Drive a data-informed culture by embedding performance insights into strategic decision-making.
• Leverage analytics to shape product lifecycle strategies, optimize promotional effectiveness, and evaluate vendor contributions.
• Translate complex performance data into strategic scorecards that provide clarity, focus, and accountability for leadership and cross-functional partners.

Leadership, Collaboration & Communication

• Champion cross-functional alignment by ensuring product strategy supports retailer success, vendor collaboration, and company profitability.
• Lead team development by setting clear goals, mentoring Associate Merchandise Managers, and encouraging growth opportunities.
• Cultivate a team environment built on trust, open communication, and shared responsibility for success.
• Collaborate closely with the DMM to align strategies, address roadblocks, and support execution.
• Communicate effectively with vendors, partners, and leadership, ensuring updates and initiatives are clear and actionable.

Requirements

• Four-year degree in Marketing, Sales, or other business-related field, or a strong background/experience in Retail, Sales, or Hardware.
• Great technology skills including Microsoft Suite and Google Suite.
• Prior buying experience (preferred).

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Team player with creative problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work with little supervision and possess a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Service-oriented and self-motivated.
• Objective and analytical skills.
• Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits

• Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision.
• Paid time off to foster work/life balance.
• Profit sharing and bonus pay opportunities.
• Retirement funding opportunities.
• Education reimbursement.
• Health club reimbursement.
• Career advancement opportunities.

About Do it Best

Based in Fort Wayne, IN, Do it Best is the only US-based, member-owned comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of nearly $6 billion, Do it Best serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 other countries. It is now part of the Do it Best Group, the world’s largest independent home improvement co-op.

Culture

• Each team member is valued as an individual, with intrinsic value at the forefront.
• Career growth is prioritized through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, and mentoring.
• Authentic relationships are encouraged through social events and a culture where lasting friendships are made.
• The three most valued aspects of being part of the Do it Best team are the culture, compensation, and level of fulfillment from the role.

Philosophy & Mission

• Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served.
• Mission: Making the best even better.
• Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams.