Category Merchant

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop and execute category strategy including assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor strategy to drive sales, margin, and market share
Own vendor relationships including negotiations, funding, performance management, and long-term strategic partnerships.
Lead and develop Category Assistant(s), providing direction, coaching, and performance management to ensure execution excellence.
Drive pricing and promotional strategy including competitive positioning and margin optimization.
Lead forecasting and inventory strategy including demand planning and inventory productivity. Drive cross-functional execution across Marketing, Ecommerce, Supply Chain, and Sales.
Own assortment planning and SKU lifecycle management including optimization and rationalization.

Education and Experience:

Level of Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Area of Study: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Marketing, or Merchandising.
Minimum Years of Experience: 6
Type of Experience: Experience in merchandising, category management, or retail strategy
Skills & Abilities:
Strategic and commercial acumen
Strong leadership and team development
Advanced analytical and financial skills
Vendor negotiation expertise
Cross-functional leadership