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 in Merchandising or Business Administration or equivalent experience
  • 8 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or retail strategy related to packaging
  • Proven strategic and commercial acumen
  • Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development
  • Advanced analytical and financial skills
  • Expertise in vendor negotiation
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute category strategies for assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor interactions
  • Lead and mentor Category Assistants, ensuring high performance and strategic alignment
  • Manage long-term vendor relationships through negotiations and strategic partnerships
  • Create pricing and promotional strategies focused on market competitiveness and margin improvements
  • Oversee assortment planning and SKU lifecycle management to optimize product offerings
  • Lead demand planning, forecasting, and inventory productivity initiatives
  • Collaborate across Marketing, Ecommerce, Supply Chain, and Sales for effective execution

Benefits

  • Competitive salaries
  • 401(k) plan
  • Opportunities for internal mobility and career growth
  • Participation in an incentive program as per company terms
  • Hybrid work arrangement with three days onsite and two days remote
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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