Associate Category Merchant – Enterprise Merchandising & Strategy

Job Summary: Join a dynamic, collaborative merchandising team that drives strategic business development across all product categories. In this role you’ll support the development and execution of merchandising strategies that impact the entire assortment. Working closely with category merchants, sales and other cross-functional partners, you’ll help shape assortment plans, analyze performance, and contribute to supplier strategy- all while gaining exposure to enterprise level decision making. This role supports the full business portfolio and is ideal for someone eager to grow into a strategic merchandising leader.Major Tasks, Responsibilities, and Key AccountabilitiesSupport Cross-Category Merchandising Strategy Assist in developing merchandising strategies across multiple categories by analyzing market trends, customer insights, and competitive benchmarks. Evaluate and size opportunities within new or emerging customer verticals and businesses and recommend optimal assortments and solutions.Financial Planning & Performance Tracking Contribute to financial planning activities including forecasting, pricing analysis, and line structure development within key growth categories or customer verticals. Help identify opportunities to improve sales, margin, customer acquisition & loyalty and inventory productivity.Assortment Planning & Supplier Coordination Participate in key assortment planning projects and supplier discussions. Help prepare business reviews and support supplier negotiations under guidance from senior team members.Operational Execution & Collaboration Help build operational plans that support SOAR execution across categories. Collaborate with category merchants, merchandising operations, sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment and execution.Innovation & Merchandising Initiatives Support new concept development and marketing initiatives that span multiple categories within focus customer verticals. Assist in project coordination and execution.Team Based Strategic Projects Work as part of a small, agile team to support strategic projects that drive enterprise growth. Contribute to project planning, research, and success measurement.Preferred QualificationsEducation & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field. MBA is a plus but not required+7 years of experience in merchandising/ category management, business development, customer experience strategy or assortment & pricing strategyExperience working highly cross-functionally on enterprise-level initiatives Analytical & Strategic ThinkingStrong analytical skills with experience in financial modeling, forecasting, and performance analysisAbility to interpret market trends and consumer insights to inform merchandising decisionsExperience in conducting market sizing analyses using TAM (Total Addressable Market), SAM (Serviceable Available Market) and SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market) frameworksProficient in SQL and/or Snowflake for data querying, analysis, and reportingComfortable working with large data sets and tools like Excel, Tableau, or Power BICommunication & CollaborationStrong ability to distill complex concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives using PowerPointExcellent written and verbal communication skillsProven ability to collaborate across teams (e.g., marketing, supply chain, finance) and influence without authorityExperience presenting insights and recommendations to leadership or stakeholdersMerchandising & Supplier AcumenFamiliarity with assortment planning, pricing strategy, and supplier negotiationsUnderstanding of domestic and international sourcing dynamicsExposure to vendor management or supplier rationalization processesProject & Process ManagementExperience supporting or managing projects, often several at onceAbility to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentComfortable working in ambiguous or evolving business contextsNature and ScopeRequires analytical thinking, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset.Decisions are guided by business principles and mentorship from senior merchantWorks within a small team of merchandising professionals and cross-functional partners.