Merchandising Category Manager - Balsam Hill Studio

About the role

This hybrid role of Merchandising and Product Development for Balsam Hill Studio involves owning and driving key elements of the development and merchandising strategy, guiding products from concept through launch across multiple Balsam Hill Studio locations.

Responsibilities

• Own product development for assigned categories, managing the end-to-end lifecycle from concept through production and launch
• Lead vendor relationships, providing clear direction on design intent, quality standards, costing, and timelines
• Drive sample development, approvals, and revisions across multiple product lines, ensuring timely execution
• Develop and maintain accurate line lists, product specifications, and development trackers
• Provide strategic, actionable feedback to vendors to elevate product quality and consistency
• Partner cross-functionally with Creative, Planning, Sourcing, and Store teams to align with assortment strategy and execution
• Identify risks and opportunities within the development process and proactively recommend solutions
• Set selling prices, support and recommend markdowns and launch timing for newness

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in product development and/or merchandising, preferably in home décor or seasonal/holiday categories
• Proven ability to manage vendors, sampling, and product approvals with minimal oversight
• Strong merchant mindset with an eye for design, trend, and customer experience
• Excellent organizational, communication, and prioritization skills
• Attention to detail is critical
• Able to build productive relationships with cross-functional and external partners
• Confidence making decisions and influencing outcomes in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; PLM tools are required
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite; AI tools, design or illustration skills a plus
• Experience developing or buying glass ornaments preferred
• Adaptable, proactive, and comfortable operating in a “startup” mentality
• Willingness to travel as needed

Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; PLM tools are required
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite; AI tools, design or illustration skills a plus
• Experience developing or buying glass ornaments preferred
• Adaptable, proactive, and comfortable operating in a “startup” mentality
• Willingness to travel as needed

Skills

• Product development and merchandising experience
• Vendor management and product approvals
• Sample development and execution
• Strategic planning and execution
• Customer experience and design
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
• Experience with PLM tools

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including a cash-based incentive plan
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, with 100% of monthly premiums covered for team members, and 85%+ employer-paid premiums for other coverage tiers that include dependents
• Up to $2,000 annual funding toward HSA accounts
• Medical, transit, dependent care FSA
• Infertility coverage offered on all medical plans
• Generous parental leave program and flexible return options
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Company-paid short and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar company match up to $4,000 per calendar year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other mental health and wellness perks
• Paid holidays, annual shutdown week, PTO, and volunteer time-off (VTO) packages
• Paid 5-week sabbatical leave after 10 years of employment
• Annual continuous learning benefit up to $1,000 per person, per fiscal year
• Up to $300 flexible reimbursement to support setup of new team member's work-from-home environment
• Generous team member merchandise discount

Pay

The base pay rate for this position is: $52.00-65.00 per hour.

Schedule

This full-time TEMP position reports to the VP of Product Development and is expected to work in a hybrid model, which currently includes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in-office.