Be the reason

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together.

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers’ needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We are inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more.

The Category Merchant is responsible for creating, defining, and then executing the growth strategy that will drive specific Janitorial Paper categories beyond their sales and margin goals.  This strategy is inclusive of the customer, vendors, brands, products, inventory, distribution, pricing, and marketing.  This strategy will center around how we will use our private label brands, their specific role per customer and then the actual products working alongside support teams to guide new ideas through product creation and launch.  

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop deep understanding of customer needs and shopping behaviors as well as upcoming trends and brands in the marketplace.
• Cross functionally collaborates with all business units to understand their unique customer needs and deliver an assortment and cost structure that meets those needs.
• Responsible for the P&L for assigned product categories.
• Develop strategies and execution plans across business units including Staples Business Advantage Inside and Outside Sales teams.
• Manage category programs with all vendors. Responsible for delivering and tracking all vendor revenue and working with all business units and cross functional partners to ensure program elements are executed upon.
• Responsible for selecting items and vendors. With leadership support, negotiate with vendors for lower total delivery cost, volume incentives, rebates, advertising, and other applicable allowances.
• Drive joint business planning meetings with top vendors in categories to drive strong partnerships and growth.
• Gather and analyze data to showcase trends in the market to determine customer buying patterns.
• Improve supply chain efficiencies, including improved inventory turns, reduction in customer returns rate, improved order fill rate, effective selling strategies to reduce end of life inventory challenges.

What you bring to the table:

• Ability to drive sales and margin results
• Expertise in site metrics, such as visits, conversion, AOV, frequency, engagement
• Exceptional time management, prioritization, and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence at multiple levels
• Deep understanding of tactics to drive eCommerce sales and human sales force
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships (internal and external)
• Accomplished in holding a team accountable to achieve measurable results

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• 6+ years' experience in buying related functions (buying/ merchandising)

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• PC literate with the strong abilities in Excel
• Multiple category experience including large P&L management

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

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Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.