Merchandise Specialist

The Merchandise Specialist supports the management and performance of assigned product categories, managing product setup, supporting assortment planning, and analyzing category performance across merchandising systems. This role collaborates closely with internal partners (e.g., sourcing, marketing, pricing, supply chain, and inventory teams) and external vendors to ensure smooth execution of assortment strategies. This position is ideal for a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with a foundational understanding of merchandising operations and a strong ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This role works closely with the DMM to evaluate category performance, support assortment decisions, and recommend actions that drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Category Management and Strategy

• Support the development and execution of category strategies for assigned product categories.

• Analyze sales, margin, inventory productivity, and competitive trends to identify opportunities for growth.

• Develop assortment recommendations including new product introductions, item discontinuations, and category optimization.

• Partner with the DMM in category reviews and merchandising decision-making.

Item Setup and Data Management

• Manage new item setup and product lifecycle updates for assigned categories, item maintenance, and product attribute updates in core systems.

• Partner with Merchandising and Sourcing teams to collect and verify accurate product information from vendors.

• Ensure accuracy and consistency of product details across systems (ProSource, planograms, signage, and eCommerce).

• Maintain product lifecycle documentation and support assortment decisions related to item introductions, transitions, and discontinuations, and manage timely status changes (e.g., active, discontinued, seasonal).

Vendor and Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact with vendors supporting assigned categories to coordinate samples, marketing assets, documentation, and follow-ups.

• Manage the collection, organization, and tracking of required vendor documents, including specification sheets, marketing materials, and compliance forms.

• Partner cross-functionally with Pricing, Inventory, Marketing, eCommerce, and Store Operations to support promotional initiatives and category launches.

Services Program Support

• Support the launch, implementation, and ongoing management of service programs across assigned categories.

• Serve as a coordination point with the program to ensure program readiness, including onboarding, operational requirements, marketing assets, documentation, and store support materials.

• Monitor program performance by location, and surface execution gaps and growth opportunities to the DMM.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of training, merchandising, communication, and operational resources to drive consistent program execution across the store network.

Execution Support

• Assist in maintaining planogram documentation and merchandising guides.

• Support merchandising timelines and calendars by tracking deadlines and deliverables.

• Coordinate and support the rollout of signage, seasonal kits, and category refresh initiatives.

• Prepare and format product presentation decks and product review documents as needed.

Reporting and Process Assistance

• Analyze sales, inventory, and promotional performance data to identify category opportunities and risks and support analysis needs.

• Monitor and report on key category metrics like in-stock rates, item count, and new item adoption.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements by assessing recurring execution challenges and recommending enhancements.

• Provide insights and recommendations to support category planning and business performance.

Other Duties

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and key responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties and responsibilities may evolve or change over time based on business needs, without advance notice.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field required.

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in merchandising, category management, buying, or a related retail support role preferred.

• Working knowledge of Google Workspace or MS Office; proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets preferred.

• Experience with merchandising systems and analytics tools such as Looker is a plus.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities, solve problems, and meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of retail math, product lifecycle, and assortment planning is preferred.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

The physical demands required to perform the essential responsibilities of this position are as follows. Reasonable accommodations, if necessary and/or as required by law, will be made available.

• Regularly required to sit, use hands, talk, and hear; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

• Requires close vision and extended use of a computer.