Group Director, Merchandising - Optical

Walmart • Bentonville, AR

6d • $160,000 - $320,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Walmart is seeking a Group Director, Merchandising – Optical to lead the strategic direction and performance of our Optical merchandising business. This leader will own category strategy across frames, lenses, contact lenses, accessories, and related services—driving growth, profitability, supplier partnerships, and omni-channel customer experiences within Walmart’s Health and Wellness business. The Group Director will align Optical merchandising strategies with broader Walmart objectives, optimize national brand and private brand portfolios, elevate supplier performance, and build a high-performing team focused on delivering quality vision solutions at Every Day Low Prices. What you'll do... Own Optical Category Strategy. Set and oversee the strategic direction for the Optical business unit, ensuring alignment with Walmart’s enterprise strategy. Lead long-term planning across frames, lenses, contacts, and accessories, including pricing architecture, promotional strategies, competitive positioning, and innovation roadmaps. Lead Executive-Level Supplier Partnerships. Maintain executive-level relationships with national brand frame vendors, contact lens manufacturers, private brand suppliers, and lab partners. Own cross-department outcome optimization decisions, approve supplier payment terms and allowances, guide negotiation strategy and cadence, and oversee adherence to supplier agreements and compliance standards. Oversee Assortment, Modular & Space Strategy. Guide modular decisions and space allocation across in-store Optical centers and omni-channel platforms. Ensure assortments reflect customer trends, prescription needs, fashion influences, and price-tier architecture while balancing operational execution and store labor impact. Own Features & Promotional Strategy. Develop and own monthly feature strategies for Optical, including value events, seasonal campaigns, and health awareness initiatives. Provide final sign-off on promotions to drive traffic, conversion, and customer retention. Elevate Data & Digital Innovation. Leverage data to anticipate customer demand, guide testing and digital enhancements, and foster a data-driven culture. Drive technology-enabled solutions that improve assortment productivity, pricing precision, replenishment accuracy, and omni-channel integration. Champion Omni-Channel Customer Experience. Design and institutionalize customer-focused merchandising processes across in-store Optical centers and eCommerce. Anticipate trends in vision care, fashion eyewear, and digital prescription fulfillment to create seamless, affordable, and accessible customer experiences. Build & Develop a High-Performing Optical Merchandising Team. Own recruitment and selection decisions, provide performance feedback and development planning, and build succession pipelines. Foster a culture grounded in integrity, inclusion, innovation, and continuous learning.

Requirements

• Deep experience in category strategy within retail, preferably in fashion or specialty retail
• Executive-level supplier negotiation experience with national brands and private label vendors
• Financial acumen with P&L ownership and forecasting expertise
• Experience managing complex assortments with regulatory or compliance considerations
• Strong understanding of omni-channel retail and customer-centric merchandising
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders
• Data-driven decision-making skills with strong digital acumen
• Passion for delivering accessible, affordable vision care solutions
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field and 5 years’ experience in merchandising, financial planning, replenishment management, retail operations management, or related area OR 7 years’ experience in merchandising, financial planning, replenishment management, retail operations management, or related area.
• 2 years’ supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

• Leading cross-functional teams
• Negotiating in a merchandising field
• Profit and Loss (P&L) Responsibility
• Masters: Business Administration

Responsibilities

• Own Optical Category Strategy
• Lead Executive-Level Supplier Partnerships
• Oversee Assortment, Modular & Space Strategy
• Own Features & Promotional Strategy
• Elevate Data & Digital Innovation
• Champion Omni-Channel Customer Experience
• Build & Develop a High-Performing Optical Merchandising Team

Benefits

• At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
• You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director