Associate Merchant (Laundry & Household Cleaning)

BJ's Wholesale Club • Marlborough, MA

74d • $67,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Merchant is responsible for the merchandising functions for assigned categories, contributing to the development of business objectives, achieving sales and margin goals, executing the merchandising strategy, and providing analytical support, insights, and recommendations to the merchandise team. This role involves collaborating on the development of sales and margin plans and sales forecasts for assigned categories, managing and controlling open-to-buy positioning, and buying merchandise for assigned categories. The Associate Merchant participates in negotiations directly with vendors on merchandise pricing, quantity, delivery, and terms. They also identify and implement merchandise packaging and presentation techniques that enhance productivity and execution. The role requires an objective assessment of merchandise mix based on consumer trends and business needs to develop planograms and provide recommendations on assortments. Additionally, the Associate Merchant reviews advertising and promotion analytics to evaluate performance, refines merchandise plans, and suggests adjustments to strategy. They are responsible for the implementation of category pricing strategy and executing exit strategies on slow-selling items, assessing pricing based on knowledge of the competitive landscape, sales and margin objectives, and price indexing and targets. The Associate Merchant researches competitive landscape and consumer trends to ensure alignment with strategy, identifies merchandising risks and opportunities, and presents recommendations. They also provide effective and supportive direction and guidance to Merchant Assistants and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business or operations related field.
• 2-5 years of professional merchandising or retail operations experience.
• Knowledge of vendor negotiation techniques.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates on the development of sales and margin plans and sales forecasts for assigned categories.
• Manages and controls open-to-buy positioning and buys merchandise for assigned categories.
• Participates in negotiations directly with vendors on merchandise pricing, quantity, delivery, and terms.
• Identifies and implements merchandise packaging and presentation techniques that enhance productivity and execution.
• Objectively assesses merchandise mix based on consumer trends and business needs to develop planograms and provide recommendations on assortments.
• Reviews advertising and promotion analytics to evaluate performance, refine merchandise plans, and suggest adjustments to strategy.
• Responsible for the implementation of category pricing strategy and executes exit strategies on slow-selling items.
• Assesses pricing based on knowledge of competitive landscape, sales and margin objectives, and price indexing and targets.
• Researches competitive landscape and consumer trends to ensure alignment with strategy.
• Identifies merchandising risks and opportunities and presents recommendations.
• Provides effective and supportive direction and guidance to Merchant Assistants.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• BJ's pays weekly.
• Eligible for free BJ's Inner Circle and Supplemental membership(s).
• Generous time off programs to support busy lifestyles including vacation, personal, holiday, sick, bereavement leave, and jury duty.
• Benefit plans for changing needs including three medical plans, Health Savings Account (HSA), two dental plans, vision plan, and flexible spending.
• 401(k) plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: General Merchandise Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree