What You'll Do - You'll Make the MomentAt Cracker Barrel, our retail business is much more than a store. It is a critical part of the guest experience, creating moments of discovery, nostalgia, connection, and delight for millions of guests each year.
We are seeking a visionary, commercially driven Vice President of Merchandising to lead the strategic direction and performance of our $650M+ retail business across a national footprint and growing digital channels. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished merchandising executive to shape category strategy, product innovation, sourcing, pricing, promotions, and organizational capability while helping define the next chapter of one of America's most recognized brands.
If you are a leader who combines merchant instinct, financial acumen, product innovation, team development, and a passion for creating distinctive customer experiences, this role offers an extraordinary platform for impact.
Why This Opportunity Is DifferentThis is not a role for someone looking to maintain the status quo. - Lead merchandising strategy for a $650M+ retail portfolio with significant influence on enterprise growth.
- Shape the future assortment, product development, and sourcing strategy of a beloved American brand.
- Drive modernization through data, analytics, technology, and AI-enabled merchandising capabilities.
- Build and develop a high-performing leadership team and succession pipeline.
- Influence enterprise decisions through close partnership with operations, marketing, supply chain, finance, digital, and technology leaders.
- Help accelerate a business with a clear path toward future growth and expanded market relevance.
What You'll Own Merchandising Strategy & Portfolio Leadership - Define and execute enterprise merchandising strategy across all merchandise categories.
- Establish category portfolio priorities, assortment architecture, and investment frameworks.
- Identify new growth opportunities through consumer insights, emerging trends, and changing guest needs.
- Create differentiated merchandise experiences that strengthen brand distinction and customer loyalty.
Product Development & Sourcing Excellence - Lead enterprise product development and sourcing strategy.
- Build innovative product pipelines that create competitive advantage.
- Guide major vendor negotiations and commercial partnerships.
- Balance quality, speed-to-market, exclusivity, cost, innovation, and margin performance.
- Ensure sourcing strategies support long-term growth and profitability.
Business Performance & Financial Leadership - Own merchandising performance within a $650M+ retail P&L.
- Drive sales growth, margin expansion, inventory productivity, pricing effectiveness, and promotional performance.
- Establish pricing architecture and markdown governance that support both brand integrity and financial performance.
- Lead enterprise merchandising reviews and portfolio decision-making.
Leadership & Organization Development - Lead through a team of Senior Directors, Directors, and merchandising leaders.
- Build organizational capability, leadership depth, succession plans, and future talent pipelines.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Position the organization for future growth through modernization and capability building.
Enterprise Partnership & Influence - Partner closely with executive leaders across Retail, Operations, Finance, Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, eCommerce, Technology, and Data & Analytics.
- Influence enterprise strategy by connecting merchandising decisions to business performance and guest experience.
- Serve as a key member of the Retail Leadership Team.
The Experience We're Looking For We are seeking a proven merchandising executive who brings:
- 15+ years of progressive merchandising leadership experience.
- Significant ownership of large-scale retail P&L performance.
- Experience leading multi-category merchandise portfolios.
- Expertise in merchandising strategy, category management, assortment architecture, pricing, promotions, sourcing, and product development.
- Success developing proprietary, exclusive, or differentiated product assortments.
- Demonstrated vendor negotiation and commercial leadership experience.
- Proven ability to lead large organizations through leaders.
- Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
- Experience leveraging data, analytics, technology, and AI to improve merchandising performance and decision quality.
Experience within specialty retail, lifestyle retail, home, gift, apparel, general merchandise, omnichannel retail, or customer-centric branded environments is highly desirable.
The Leader Who Will Thrive Here - A strategic thinker and business builder.
- A merchant at heart who understands both creativity and commercial discipline.
- Equally comfortable discussing brand storytelling, inventory productivity, vendor negotiations, and P&L performance.
- Passionate about developing leaders and building organizational capability.
- Excited by the opportunity to modernize while honoring the heritage of an iconic brand.
- Motivated by enterprise impact rather than title alone.
Join Us Few merchandising leadership opportunities offer this combination of scale, influence, brand strength, and transformational potential.
If you are ready to shape the future of an iconic retail business, build a lasting leadership legacy, and create meaningful impact for millions of guests, we invite you to explore this opportunity with Cracker Barrel.
LEAD THE STRATEGY. TRANSFORM THE EXPERIENCE. SHAPE WHAT'S NEXT. Focus on YouWe're all about making sure you're taken care of too. Here's what's in it for you:
- Good Work Deserves Good Pay: Competitive Annual Salary | Annual Bonus Opportunities
- Support That Goes Beyond the Clock: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1| Life Insurance and Disability Coverage | Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program
- Grow and Thrive Your Way: Business Resource Groups | Tuition Reimbursement | Professional Development
- Culture of Belonging:Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive | Recognition programs and employee events that bring us together
- Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days | Employee Stock Purchase Program
- More Perks, Just Because: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items | Exclusive Biscuit Perks like discounts on home, travel, cell phones, and more!
