Senior Merchandise Manager: Kitchen, Housewares & Decor

About the role

Exempt position responsible for managing profit and loss for assigned merchandise assortment(s).

Responsibilities

• Assists with the development and execution of strategic merchandise plans to maximize product sales and manages profit and loss for each merchandise assignment.
• Ensures that merchandise plans align and complement overall Merchandising business plans and strategies.
• Gathers industry trade data from various sources, including trade shows, along with customer, competitor, market, financial, and operational data. Translates that information into executable and effective market intelligence reporting.
• Analyzes overall product demand, forecasting future merchandise demand and product need.
• Evaluates vendor capabilities as merchandise suppliers and selects those best suited to complement the company’s merchandising strategies. Develops and grows business relationships with suppliers/vendors.
• Recommends changes in procurement processes to improve service, quality, and/or reduce costs.
• Creates executable inventory plans and vets opportunities for new business.
• Evaluates vendor reliability and develops new supply sources where vendors/suppliers are no longer competitive.
• Improves or increases merchandise assortments and executes merchandising plans that are profitable by managing quality, sourcing, and delivery.
• Assists in defining product and distribution standards for assigned merchandise assortment(s) and assesses the capabilities of suppliers/partners to meet those standards.
• Monitors supplier performance and reconciles quality and/or fulfillment concerns to ensure quality standards are consistently met.
• Monitors associated merchandising costs, performance schedules, and scope of assigned contracts/subcontracts to ensure customers receive the best quality at the best value.
• Collaborates with management to address all profit and loss issues.
• Collaborates with various cross-functional teams in support of the execution of merchandising strategies.
• Collaborates with Marketing to create promotional/campaign calendars and provides insights for campaigns.
• Follows prescribed legal guidelines and requirements.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of Merchandising experience in Lifestyle classifications with 3+ years of management experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Proven ability to collaborate with others to understand and complete project goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to professionally interact with suppliers and employees at all levels of the company.
• Excellent time management and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritize and organize tasks and projects.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with competing deadlines, work independently, and be proactive.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively and collaboratively across various departments to meet goals and deadlines.
• Highly developed and creative problem-solving and project management skills.

For managers or above:

• Ability to influence people across the organization.
• Experience coaching reports to grow a high-performance team.
• Experience hiring and leading diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Economics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Preferred: SQL skills.
• Preferred: Graduate degree in Merchandising, Supply Chain, Business, Economics, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods at a time.
• May be required to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Bending, stooping, and reaching are also frequently required.

Benefits

• 401k (6% match).
• Flexible Schedules.
• Tuition Reimbursement, Leadership Development Program, & Mentorship Program.
• Employee Resource Groups (LatinX, Black Employee Network, LGBTQIA+, Women’s Network, Women In Tech).

Benefits vary based on position, tenure, location, and employee election.