Staples is focused on our customer and our community. As a Senior Category Merchant for Staples, you will be responsible for achieving the financial budget by developing and executing a customer-centric growth strategy for categories that will be determined soon. This strategy will be inspired by deep customer insight / market trends and include assortment planning, merchandise and vendor selection, negotiation, financial planning, supply chain and inventory turn implications, promotional and seasonal plans, merchandise presentation, distribution, vendor relations and administration for assigned lines.
Execute Growth Strategy:
- Acquire a deep understanding of customer needs through research efforts, and field feedback.
- Develop a realistic and effective business plan to achieve budgeted goals in sales, margin, and inventory. Execute that plan to deliver financial results.
- Develop, execute, and effectively communicate strategy to the highest levels of the company. Ensure plans align with company strategic objectives and goals.
- Effectively partner to drive strategy, growth and solve everyday opportunities and challenges with transactional website (staples.com).
Assortment Planning & Vendor Relations:
- Choose product assortment and vendors, influence pricing, and create an appropriate customer experience.
- Negotiate for lowest total delivered cost, volume incentives, rebates, advertising and other applicable allowances.
- Effectively partner and influence other cross-functional partners, such as Inventory & Planning, Promo, Pricing, Marketing, Portfolio, etc.
- Manage and develop support team
Essential skills and experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum 5-8 years total experience in buying related functions (buying-selling, merchandising, planning, inventory management).
- Proficiency in B2C Sales metrics and best-practices to ultimately drive sales & profit growth
- Expert industry-specific knowledge of trends, competition, products customer behaviors, inventory management, logistics and marketing techniques.
Preferred skills and experience:
- Demonstrated ability to build a business case, from ideation all the way through execution
- Demonstrated in-depth knowledge in financial analysis and forecasting.
- Expert negotiating skills
- Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships across organization and with vendors at the highest levels.
- Multiple category experience including large margin & traffic-driving P&L management is preferred.
Get great perks because, you matter.
- Generous amount of paid time off and bonus plan
- 401(k) plan with a company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, and many more benefits
- On-site, discounted childcare, fitness center and dry cleaners in Framingham, MA corporate office
- Associate store discount and more perks (discounts on mobile plans, movie tickets, etc.)
Want to learn more about Staples Stores? Visit RetailCareers.Staples.com for information and to learn about our career opportunities.
Click here to learn more about the employee benefits, programs and perks offered at Staples!
Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.Staples is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 1-888-490-4747 for more information.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act; as well as with any other state and local Fair Chance Ordinance/Act regulations.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.