Senior Category Merchant- Programs

Staples Canada•Framingham, MA

About The Position

Staples is focused on our customers and our community. As a Sr Merchant, Amazon Returns, you will serve as the business owner for the Amazon Returns relationship, overseeing the program's financial performance, operational execution, and future growth across the US Retail Stores (USR) business. You will be accountable for managing partnership portfolio, ensuring Staples captures the full value of its investment while delivering financial, customer, and operational objectives. This role is responsible for leading the ongoing relationship with Amazon, negotiating new programs and initiatives, ensuring compliance with financial and operational commitments, and driving continuous improvement across the business. Through strong cross-functional leadership, analytics, and commercial acumen, you will identify opportunities to enhance profitability, customer experience, and program performance while helping shape the future direction of this strategic partnership. Success in this role requires the ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead complex initiatives, manage substantial financial accountability, and effectively balance the needs of both Staples and Amazon to achieve mutually beneficial business outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
10+ years of experience in merchandising, business management, program management, partnership management, or category management
Experience managing significant business relationships, strategic partnerships, or commercial programs with measurable financial accountability
Strong understanding of retail partnerships, cross-functional execution, and omni-channel program management
Proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable recommendations and executive-ready reporting
Demonstrated ability to negotiate, influence, and drive results and operation execution across internal and external stakeholders in a complex organization

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and business performance management
Strong ability to manage strategic partnerships and influence internal and external stakeholders to deliver results
Experience in program management, operational improvement, or partnership optimization within a retail or consumer-facing environment
Strong executive communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
Ability to prioritize, operate with urgency, and manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, evolving business environment

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary business owner for the Amazon Returns partnership, leading the day-to-day relationship and representing Staples in ongoing business discussions with Amazon
Manage business portfolio, driving financial performance, operational effectiveness, and long-term partnership value
Lead business reviews with Amazon and internal stakeholders, translating performance insights into strategic recommendations and actionable plans
Negotiate new programs, enhancements, and partnership initiatives that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial results
Hold Amazon accountable to agreed-upon operational and financial commitments, ensuring Staples realizes the full value of negotiated program terms
Monitor program performance and develop regular reporting and analysis on sales, traffic, returns volumes, profitability, service levels, and operational trends to identify opportunities and risks
Communicate program performance, key issues, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
Own the financial oversight of the Amazon Returns business, including monthly revenue and expense reconciliation, performance analysis, forecasting support, and financial accuracy
Ensure accurate receipt and validation of all financial obligations associated with the Amazon Returns partnership
Analyze business performance and trends to identify opportunities for growth, expense management, and profitability improvement
Partner with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate business outcomes, support planning activities, and maximize return on investment
Lead program management activities for Amazon Returns initiatives, ensuring execution against business objectives, timelines, and operational requirements
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Store Communications, Field Leadership, Marketing, Legal, and other teams to support smooth program execution and resolve business challenges
Track and help maximize all negotiated terms of the Amazon Returns agreement, ensuring Staples captures the full financial and operational value of the partnership
Drive issue resolution, process improvements, and program enhancements with internal stakeholders and Amazon counterparts
Support business reviews and partnership discussions with clear performance narratives, data-backed insights, and recommendations
Develop and maintain tools, trackers, and reporting frameworks that improve visibility to program performance, accountability for key actions, and decision-making
Establish a disciplined operating cadence to ensure follow-through on commitments, timely escalation of issues, and continuous improvement of the Amazon Returns program