Category Merchant

Staples Inc.•Framingham, MA

3h•$96,000 - $138,000

About The Position

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers’ needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We’re inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more. The Category Merchant is responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share for a specific product category. This role oversees day-to-day merchandising operations, vendor relationships, and pricing strategies, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals. The Category Merchant leverages data insights to identify trends, optimize product assortment, and enhance customer experience. This position will manage a team of professionals and/or individual contributors, providing direction, coaching, and performance management to achieve category objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or equivalent work experience.
7+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, product management, or a related field.
3+ years of experience leading teams, managing direct reports, or overseeing complex cross-functional initiatives.
Experience developing and executing category strategies that drive sales, margin, and profitability improvements.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency with Excel, BI, reporting, or other data analysis tools.
Proven success negotiating vendor agreements and managing supplier relationships.
Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions and influence stakeholders across multiple business functions.
Strong strategic thinking and category management expertise.
Proven ability to analyze complex data and translate insights into actionable business strategies.
Excellent vendor negotiation and relationship management skills.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and profitability metrics.
Ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive alignment across teams.
Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
Collaborative leadership style focused on team development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Adaptability and agility in responding to changing customer needs and market conditions.

Nice To Haves

MBA or other advanced business degree.
Experience utilizing advanced analytics and visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Experience leading innovative category initiatives that resulted in measurable business growth.
Background working in an omnichannel retail environment, supporting both store and eCommerce merchandising strategies.
Professional certifications such as PMP, APICS, or similar credentials.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share growth.
Create and manage assortment, pricing, promotional, and marketing plans aligned with business objectives.
Analyze market trends, competitive activity, customer insights, and sales performance to identify opportunities for growth.
Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure contract compliance.
Monitor vendor performance related to product availability, quality, fulfillment, and delivery.
Leverage analytics and business intelligence tools to make data-driven merchandising decisions.
Partner with Supply Chain teams to optimize inventory levels and product availability while minimizing excess inventory.
Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and eCommerce partners to execute integrated go-to-market strategies.
Manage category budgets, forecasting, and financial performance reporting.
Present category performance insights, business recommendations, and growth opportunities to senior leadership.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with vendor relationships and supply chain operations.
Lead and develop team members through coaching, performance management, and ongoing professional development.