Sephora USA

Director, Merchandising

Sephora USA • $153K — $176K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of buying and/or merchandising experience, including 3-5 years in a leadership role
  • Proven success in leading large-scale businesses in a fast-paced retail environment
  • Strong business and financial acumen with experience in sales and inventory management
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category growth strategies
  • Experience in building and managing strategic vendor partnerships
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills across functions and geographies
  • Strong strategic thinking combined with analytical rigor and adaptability
  • Passion for beauty and creating exceptional client experiences

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute category strategies for sustainable growth
  • Shape seasonal merchandising priorities and oversee brand assortment
  • Identify and evaluate new brands and business opportunities
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with brand partners
  • Lead negotiations on commercial agreements and partnership opportunities
  • Monitor business performance to maximize category growth
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to execute brand strategies
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing merchandising team

Benefits

  • Collaborative community focused on innovation and industry advancement
  • Access to career development opportunities within LVMH
  • Impactful work contributing to positive change in the beauty industry
  • Comprehensive healthcare plans including medical, dental, and vision
  • Hybrid work schedule with vacation and flex days for work/life balance
  • Training and development resources for continuous growth
  • 30% discount on merchandise/services and opportunities for gratis
  • Support through volunteer matching and mental health resources
Full Job Description
Job Type: Full Time

Function: Merchandising

Address: 160 Bloor Street East, 11th Floor, Toronto, ON

Working Model: Hybrid

Vacancy Status: This position is for an existing, open vacancy

Ready for a career glow-up? As Director, Merchandising, you will lead the strategy and performance of a product category portfolio generating more than $500M in annual revenue. You will be responsible for developing category growth strategies, managing brand partnerships, identifying new business and assortment opportunities, and driving profitable sales growth across Sephora Canada's omni-channel business.

In partnership with Planning, you will help shape and deliver financial objectives including sales, gross margin, inventory productivity, and profitability while ensuring category strategies align with overall business goals. As a key senior leader, you will influence and collaborate across multiple functions and North American stakeholders to bring best-in-class brand experiences to Canadian clients.

This role requires a commercially minded leader who combines strong strategic thinking with a passion for product, brands, and client experience. You will lead and develop a high-performing merchandising team while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

What You'll Do

Category & Merchandising Strategy
  • Develop and execute category strategies that drive sustainable growth, market share, and client engagement.
  • Shape seasonal merchandising priorities and oversee brand assortment, launches, promotions, and key business initiatives.
  • Identify and evaluate new brands, products, and business opportunities that support Sephora Canada's growth objectives.
  • Leverage market trends, client insights, and competitive intelligence to inform strategic decisions.

Brand Partnerships & Business Development
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with brand partners and vendors.
  • Lead negotiations related to commercial agreements, margins, co-op support, training investments, samples, and other partnership opportunities.
  • Collaborate with brands to deliver innovative launches, activations, and client experiences that strengthen Sephora's market leadership.
  • Champion strategic partnerships that drive long-term category growth and profitability.

Financial & Business Leadership
  • Partner with Planning to establish and deliver annual and seasonal sales, margin, and inventory objectives.
  • Monitor business performance and identify opportunities to maximize category growth and profitability.
  • Drive business reviews and strategic planning discussions, ensuring alignment against financial targets.
  • Balance short-term business needs with long-term category growth strategies.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Marketing, Ecommerce, Visual Merchandising, Education, Supply Chain, and Store Operations teams to execute category and brand strategies.
  • Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that elevate both in-store and digital client experiences.
  • Work effectively within Sephora's North American organization, adapting broader strategies to meet the unique needs of the Canadian business.
  • Influence stakeholders across multiple functions and levels to drive successful business outcomes.

Team Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of merchandising professionals.
  • Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture that reflects Sephora's values.
  • Provide clear direction, prioritize work, and support the growth and development of future merchandising leaders.
  • Drive accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the team.


What You'll Bring
  • 10+ years of buying and/or merchandising experience, including 3-5 years in a leadership role within specialty retail, department stores, beauty, fashion, or other relevant consumer categories.
  • Proven success leading large-scale businesses, brands, or categories in a fast-paced retail environment.
  • Strong business and financial acumen, with experience managing sales, profitability, and inventory performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category growth strategies and deliver measurable business results.
  • Experience building and managing strategic vendor and brand partnerships.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence across functions, teams, and geographies.
  • Strong strategic thinking combined with analytical rigor, sound judgement, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
  • Proven track record of developing high-performing teams and leading through change.
  • Passion for beauty, retail, brands, and creating exceptional client experiences.
  • Comfort and confidence using digital and AI-enabled tools responsibly in your day-to-day work.

#FSCHIRING

What You'll Get:
  • Caring Community. You'll collaborate with teammates who are equally passionate about innovating, doing the right things, and driving the industry forward - together, united in beauty.
  • Fulfilling Path. Your career glow-up starts here with access to opportunities that will challenge, stretch, and develop your skills. You'll have access to the global community of luxury group LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) for endless career opportunities.
  • Meaningful Work. As you make an impact on beauty, you'll feel and see the positive change (consumer, industry, and social) your individual voice is a part of.


Rewards as Unique as You Are:

Eligibility requirements apply to certain benefits and may vary depending on job classification and length of employment.
  • Wealth. We're passionate about pay equity and transparency. The compensation ranges between CAD$153,000.00 - $176,600 plus bonus, RRSP matching. The final pay offered will depend on various factors, including but not limited to the actual qualifications and experience of the individual, and any additional non-discriminatory, legitimate business factors relevant to the position and/or location.
  • Health. Choose a healthcare plan to fit you and your family's needs with medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. Access to our Well-Being[redacted] program to support your mental, financial, physical, and social well-being.
  • Balance. You'll be trusted to find the perfect blend of work/life balance that actually works for you with a hybrid work schedule, vacation and flex days, and maternity/paternity leave.
  • Growth. A career glow-up is built into every role, with access to training and development programs and resources throughout the year.
  • Perks. Think you've tried it all? Enjoy a 30% discount on all merchandise/services, opportunities for gratis, and flash sale discounts on LVMH brands.
  • Support. Tap into volunteer and donation matching, Employee Assistance Program, and free mental health resources with 24/7 access to Dialogue.


Join us and Belong to Something Beautiful.

About Sephora USA

Sephora is a French multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products. Founded in 1970, Sephora has become a leading beauty retailer with over 2,600 stores in 34 countries worldwide. Sephora USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Sephora and operates over 500 stores in the United States. Sephora offers a wide range of beauty products including makeup, skincare, fragrance, haircare, and bath and body products. The company is known for its innovative retail concept which allows customers to try products before they buy them. Sephora is committed to providing its customers with a unique and personalized shopping experience.
Learn more about Sephora USA
Size
10,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1998

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Sephora USA

More Retail & Consumer Goods Jobs

Find similar Director, Merchandising jobs: