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

The Staples Brand Group aims to deliver the best product at a great value to our customers every day. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We’re inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more. We are passionate about building the right solutions that enable our customers to work from anywhere most effectively.

The Director, Category Development leads in the development of strategic category initiatives to drive growth for Staples Private Brands. Their goal is to drive sales and loyalty for Staples, Inc and across our partner channels. This role marries strategic category understanding with both product development and execution.  As a member of the Private Brands leadership team, they will be responsible for driving the vision and goals for the Private Brand program across the organization. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Demonstrate deep category management expertise through use of all data sources.
• Responsible for the development and execution of category strategic plans (12-18 months) to drive sales, margin and penetration that meet or exceed goals. Demonstrates understanding in how assigned categories drives total Private Brand plan.
• Lead team in new product identification across the portfolio of Private Brands – filling product gaps or identifying whitespace. Create business cases to support new product development; sell in product ideas to merchants and leadership team.
• Build overall program by seeking product improvements, programs, and initiatives that will reduce operating costs, increase product performance, and increase sustainability.
• Partner with merchandising leads to influence all aspects related to Private Brands including financial performance, assortment and portfolio mix, value positioning and placement.
• Support Product Development and Sourcing team on creating tech packs and required feature/benefits.
• Work with Brand Strategy team to build compelling consumer propositions and support in the creation of compelling packaging and messaging. 
• Lead Private Brand discussions in all category reviews to ensure brand and category objectives are understood and met.
• Analyze and interpret consumer and industry trends and maintains competitive research.
• Partner with the Insights team to establish success metrics, review results regularly and develop business recommendations based on findings.
• Lead category annual planning by working with Brand Strategy team to drive connection between brand strategy to individual categories. 
• Influence stakeholders at various levels by utilizing internal and external data, research, and customer-centric insights to drive product development, assortment and sustainability initiatives.
• Create a culture of collaboration and trust across a broad and complex cross-functional team, which includes Merchants, Marketing, Insights, Sales, and Finance, in addition to Business Unit stakeholders. Act as a role model for working across segment, functions, and teams.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the team, establishing priorities and ensuring timelines are met.
• Ensures the team has the capabilities required to deliver the business strategy while providing challenging and aspirational career growth for individual team members
• Continuously evaluate and assess category performance, providing regular performance metrics analysis and action plans to ensure category goals are achieved.
• Build, lead and inspire Category Development team to be brave, create change, and take bold action
• Provides training and coaching to staff to support ongoing growth and development.

What you bring to the table:

• Strong project management skills: ability to plan and manage, at both the strategic and operational level, launching new products in the market.
• Analytical thinker and problem solver, with the ability to take complex data and distill it into a meaningful and coherent story.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Experience working effectively in complex global organizations, satisfying the needs of diverse constituents, and often working under the pressure of competing and sometimes conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines in high pressured environments without compromising on work quality.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Track record of developing direct reports and influencing the broader team.
• Experience managing a team of at least two direct reports.
• Experience working with executives and cross-functionally across all levels of management.

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• 10 years of experience in category management, product development, merchandising, or management consulting within E-Commerce/Retail industry
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in private brands
• Masters’ degree in business management or related field

We Offer:

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

At Staples, “inclusion” is an action word. It represents what we do to ensure that all employees feel valued and supported to contribute to their fullest potential. When we operate inclusively, diversity naturally follows. This is why we work hard to foster an inclusive culture, as we seek employees with unique and varied perspectives and areas of expertise. The result is a better workplace and innovative thinking that helps us exceed our customers’ expectations -- through the power of the people behind our iconic brand.

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