Category Merchant

Dollar Tree•Chesapeake, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Merchant is responsible for driving sales, margin, and inventory productivity for assigned categories within the Family Dollar banner. This role owns end-to-end category performance, including assortment strategy, vendor partnerships, pricing, promotions, and supply optimization. The ideal candidate combines strong merchandising instincts with analytical rigor and a deep understanding of value-focused consumers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field
5–10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, or buying (discount retail experience preferred)
Strong financial acumen with experience managing category P&L
Proven negotiation and vendor management skills
Advanced analytical skills; proficiency in Excel and data-driven decision-making
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment

Nice To Haves

Experience in value or discount retail environments
Knowledge of private label development
Familiarity with global sourcing and cost modeling
Experience with merchandising or planning systems

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies that deliver sales growth, margin expansion, and inventory turn improvement
Own P&L for assigned categories, including forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking
Identify white space opportunities and optimize assortment to meet customer demand and price expectations
Build and maintain a productive assortment aligned to Family Dollar’s core customer
Leverage data, trends, and customer insights to inform SKU rationalization and new item introductions
Ensure strong opening price points and value perception across all categories
Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure cost competitiveness and product quality
Lead negotiations on cost, terms, and promotional funding
Partner with global sourcing teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve margins
Establish competitive pricing strategies that reinforce Family Dollar’s value proposition
Plan and execute promotional calendars to drive traffic and basket size
Analyze price elasticity and promotional effectiveness
Partner with planning, allocation, and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels and in-stock performance
Monitor key metrics such as turns, fill rates, and shrink
Proactively mitigate supply risks and demand fluctuations
Work closely with marketing, store operations, and finance teams to align on category initiatives
Support seasonal planning and execution
Contribute to omnichannel and private label strategies where applicable