Regional Merchant

About the role

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we’re more than a business – we’re a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

Responsibilities

• Regional Assortment Optimization
• Localize national assortments based on regional customer demographics, home styles, and buying behavior
• Identify assortment gaps and regional opportunities within core categories such as Bedroom, Dining, Motion Upholstery, Stationary Upholstery and Occasional Furniture
• Recommend product swaps, expansions, or exits to maximize sales productivity
• Ensure store assortments reflect regional demand while maintaining brand consistency
• Store Product Performance Management
• Analyze store-level sales performance and product velocity trends across the region
• Identify top performers, underperformers, and emerging trends
• Partner with Merchandise Planning & Supply Chain to adjust inventory allocation and replenishment strategies
• Drive improvements in Sales Per Square Foot, Sku Productivity, Category Mix and Margin Performance
• In Store Product Execution
• Conduct monthly store visits and velocity walks across assigned stores
• Evaluate floor placement effectiveness, product storytelling, competitive positioning, price perception, and product adjacencies
• Provide feedback and recommendations to improve visual merchandising and customer flow
• New Store & Remodel Support
• Lead product assortment planning and floor execution for new store openings, store relocations and major remodels
• Partner with Visual Merchandising and Store Operations to ensure optimal product presentation and assortment mix
• Validate that floor sets reflect regional sales opportunities and customer demographics
• Cross Functional Partnership
• National Merchandising - Provide regional insight to include future product development and assortment planning
• Merchandise Planning - Align on inventory levels, allocation strategies, and demand signals
• Visual Merchandising - Ensure product placement aligns with customer flow and storytelling
• Store Operations - Support store teams with product knowledge and sales enablement
• Retail Supply Chain - Identify supply issues impacting store availability and sales opportunities
• Retail Sales Department - Partner on assortment with RSA’s, Store Managers, and Regional Directors regarding assortment performance, assortment gaps as well as customer insight for assortment regionalization
• Regional Market Intelligence
• Monitor local market conditions and competitive positioning
• Track competitor assortment strategies and pricing trends
• Identify regional customer lifestyle trends and emerging product opportunities
• Provide insights that inform national assortment strategies and product innovation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising, Business, Retail Management, Supply Chain, Finance or related field
• 5-10+ Years retail merchandising experience
• Experience in furniture, home furnishings, or big ticket retail strongly preferred
• Proven track record of improving store sales and product performance
• Experience managing multi store retail environments

Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Customer Insight
• Mercandising Judgement
• Cross Functional Leadership
• Store Execution Excellence
• Communication Cross Functionally

Work Environment

This position is located in a climate-controlled office environment with standard lighting and moderate noise levels typical of professional workspace settings. The role primarily involves sitting at a desk for extended periods while working with computers, phones, and other office equipment. The collaborative environment includes interaction with team members and may require attendance at meetings, conference calls, and cross-departmental communications during regular business hours.

Pay

$60,000- $100,000

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values

• Honesty & Integrity
• Continuous Improvement
• Growth & Results Focus
• Culture of Leadership
• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless
• Operational Excellence

Notice to Search Firms

We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.