Senior Category Merchant - Packaging

The ODP Corporation

$90K — $120K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, ideally in Merchandising or Business Administration.
  • Minimum of 8 years' experience in merchandising, category management, or retail strategy, specifically in packaging categories.
  • Proven strategic and commercial acumen with a deep understanding of category dynamics.
  • Strong leadership capabilities with experience in team development and performance management.
  • Expertise in vendor negotiations and long-term relationship management.
  • Advanced analytical and financial skills to drive business decisions.
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute category strategies to enhance assortment, pricing, and promotions.
  • Lead and mentor Category Assistant(s) to ensure high performance and execution standards.
  • Manage long-term vendor relationships, focusing on negotiations and performance oversight.
  • Craft and implement pricing and promotional strategies to optimize margins.
  • Oversee assortment planning and manage SKU lifecycles to ensure effective product selection.
  • Lead demand forecasting and inventory strategy to enhance productivity.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Ecommerce, Supply Chain, and Sales.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and incentive program eligibility.
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the organization.
  • Flexible work schedule with a hybrid model allowing for both onsite and remote work.
Full Job Description
Job Description

This is a hybrid role 3 days onsite/2 days working from home based out of one of the below locations:
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Chicago, IL


The Sr. Category Merchant - Packaging sets broader strategy, and drives enterprise-level initiatives including innovation, transformation, and long-term vendor partnerships. This role provides strategic direction for the packaging category within all channels of distribution. This role is responsible for managing and developing direct-report merchandising staff such that they become students of the industry and, in so doing, achieve their departments' strategic objectives and financial goals. The major function of this role is to achieve sales, gross margin, and market share goals by leveraging ODP Business Solution's competitive advantage-its ability to reach customers through a variety of channels including store, catalog, web, phone, and direct sales. The Sr. Category Merchant supports the creation of Merchandise Financial Plans and is responsible for understanding marketplace variances across all channels. Additionally, the incumbent participates in the development of the area's Space Plans and Adjacencies Design.

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


Education and Experience:
  • Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
  • Area of Study: Merchandising, Business Administration
  • Minimum Years of Experience: 8
  • Type of Experience: Experience in merchandising, category management, or retail strategy within packaging categories
  • Skills & Abilities:
    • Strategic and commercial acumen
    • Strong leadership and team development
    • Advanced analytical and financial skills
    • Vendor negotiation expertise
    • Cross-functional leadership
    • Execution discipline


Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this classification and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified. Other duties may be assigned.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: The company offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunity to move and grow within our organization! You will be eligible to participate in an incentive program, paid in accordance with the Incentive Plan terms and conditions. For immediate consideration for this exciting position, please click the Apply Now button.

How to Apply: Click the Apply Now button and follow the instructions on each page. When you have completed the application, click the submit button.

Application Deadline: The job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 days and will expire once the position has been filled.

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