Sr Merchandise Specialist

Staples Canada • Framingham, MA

9d

About The Position

The Sr. Merchandise Specialist drives category performance through project management, data analysis, operational execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The role coordinates business partners to turn objectives into plans that improve sales, profitability, inventory performance, customer experience, and online merchandising effectiveness across Staples.com. It is suited to an analytical, organized, proactive candidate who can manage multiple initiatives, influence stakeholders, solve business challenges, and identify data-driven opportunities. The role offers exposure to Staples.com's merchandising operation and the opportunity to develop expertise in digital merchandising, eCommerce strategy, category management, and retail analytics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 2 years of experience in merchandising, project management, data analytics, category management, retail operations, eCommerce, or a related field.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, reporting, analysis, and data interpretation.
• Experience managing projects, timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to analyze data and make business recommendations.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced business environment.
• Strong analytical mindset and ability to translate data into actionable business recommendations.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to influence stakeholders.
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset focused on identifying opportunities and solving problems.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with detailed execution.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Customer-focused approach and understanding of how merchandising decisions affect business performance and customer experience.
• Interest in digital commerce and understanding of how online merchandising influences engagement, conversion, and sales.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting merchandising, retail, category management, inventory planning, promotional planning, marketing, eCommerce, or digital merchandising functions.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of retail performance drivers.
• Experience conducting market research, competitive analysis, and trend monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.
• Creative and innovative problem-solving skills.
• Experience using data to identify opportunities and improve business performance.
• Familiarity with website analytics, online merchandising strategies, customer journey optimization, or digital marketing concepts.
• Experience supporting online retail businesses, digital merchandising initiatives, or eCommerce platforms.

Responsibilities

• Monitor category and initiative performance using sales, margin, inventory, inventory turns, website performance, and online customer engagement metrics.
• Develop and execute action plans to mitigate risks, address performance gaps, and capitalize on business opportunities.
• Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Inventory, Promotional Planning, Planograms (POG), eCommerce, and supplier teams on go-to-market initiatives.
• Manage cross-functional projects from planning through execution, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and timelines are achieved.
• Use business insights, analytics, market trends, customer behavior, and website performance data to identify and recommend strategic initiatives.
• Influence stakeholders and business partners to execute recommended strategies and process improvements.
• Conduct competitive analysis, market research, and trend evaluations to inform category and product decisions.
• Support weekly category reporting, ad hoc analysis, and business performance tracking.
• Review competitor in-store and online experiences to identify opportunities in assortment, pricing, promotions, digital merchandising, and customer experience.
• Assist with product selection decisions using industry research, trend analysis, and competitive insights.
• Maintain merchandising systems, product information, SKU management, vendor setup, and ongoing maintenance activities.
• Partner with eCommerce teams to support product visibility, content accuracy, assortment optimization, and the online customer experience.
• Support digital merchandising initiatives by ensuring product content, imagery, pricing, attributes, and promotional messaging are accurately represented on Staples.com.
• Review website metrics, online conversion trends, and customer behavior insights to identify growth and optimization opportunities.
• Proof and validate product information, imagery, pricing, and copy across digital and print marketing vehicles.
• Evaluate completed initiatives and recommend best practices and process improvements for future execution.

Benefits

• Bonus plan and generous paid time off, including one Floating Holiday each year.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flexible work hours.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, with additional optional benefits.
• Associate store discount and other discounts, including mobile plans and movie tickets.

What This Job Offers

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