JOB SUMMARY:

The Merchant III will leverage strong analytical, consumer-centric, and customer-focused merchandising skills to develop informed product assortment recommendations that drive revenue, margin, and category growth. The Merchant serves as a bridge between day-to-day category execution and broader merchandising strategy. This role leads defined categories, while also supporting the development of merchandising processes, reporting, and tools that improve assortment decision-making and go-to-market readiness. The position requires the ability to identify assortment voids, overlaps, white space, product opportunities, and underperforming items, while bringing structure, clarity, and confidence to recommendations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Leads defined category/categories across all accounts (Target, Walmart, Clubs, etc.) and brands (Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, & AllerEase), serving as a subject matter expert in merchandising.
• Develops consumer-first, data-driven assortment strategies across customers, categories, brands, and channels by translating competitive insights, pricing, positioning, and customer needs into product recommendations that drive omni-channel growth and assortment efficiency.
• Enhances standardized merchandising processes, tools, and ways of working that improve team efficiency, consistency, visibility, and decision-making across categories and accounts.
• Balances the interests, goals, and preferences of customers, brands, accounts, and internal stakeholders when developing assortment recommendations, processes, tools, and business decisions.
• Supports go-to-market strategy by translating assortment recommendations, product positioning, competitive insights, and customer priorities into compelling internal and customer-facing materials for line reviews, market meetings, and new product launches.
• Guides product discontinuation, replacement, and transition strategies that improve operational efficiency and customer outcomes.
• Identifies trends, assortment gaps, white space, underperforming items, and product opportunities for key selling moments, including Home Textile Market Week, customer line reviews, and new product development discussions, translating insights into actionable merchandising recommendations.
• Drives cross-functional projects from initiation to completion, coordinating timelines, inputs, decisions, and follow-up actions across stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in merchandising, marketing, business administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in merchandising, buying, retail, category management, ecommerce, consumer products, management consulting, or a related commercial function, with experience in textiles, home goods, bedding, retail, ecommerce, or consumer products preferred.
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of retail merchandising fundamentals, including retail math, category management, assortment planning, channel needs, customer line reviews, merchandising processes, and organizational structures.
• Applies strong analytical skills to interpret information, identify trends and opportunities, and translate insights into clear actions and recommendations.
• Leads cross-functional projects and priorities by influencing stakeholders, balancing short-term execution with long-term strategies, and driving workstreams to completion in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Applies sound judgment and problem-solving skills to complex challenges, continuous improvement opportunities, and the development of more effective ways of working.
• Demonstrates confidence and sound judgment when challenging assumptions, escalating risks, and making recommendations when appropriate.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with the ability to develop clear, organized, and decision-ready materials.
• Experience with use of AI in a merchandising setting is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods sitting at a desk
• Frequent use of upper extremities to perform keyboard functions and work on a computer
• Ability to occasionally stand/walk