Position Overview:

The Merchandising buy-side department at Staples manages the master product assortment for all channels, concentrating on dotcom and our contract business. Merchandising is in charge of bringing in the most exciting products at the right prices and quantities to ultimately drive sales, and profit, and to deliver the best customer experience. As a member of the Merchandising group, you will work with different departments around Staples including Staples Brands Group, Strategy, Finance, Marketing, and Store Operations.  As a Merchandising Product Specialist, your primary responsibility is to manage SKU and vendor set-up, conduct market research, and support the Merchandise Buyer. Training through classes from the Merchant Academy. 

Product Specialist Categories you may be considered for: Furniture & Breakroom, Janitorial, Facilities, Ink & Toner, Paper, Shredders, Office Products and Essentials, Technology, Toys, Backpacks, and School Supplies. 

Responsibilities:

• Attend vendor meetings to collaborate on business plans and gain exposure to new products. 

• Work closely with vendors and internal teams to launch new-to-market products, vendor program agreements, and price change worksheets. 

• Proactively manage the SKU and Vendor setup and maintenance process 

• Communicate new information to Planners and Inventory Analysts 

• Conduct market research, gather industry data, track trends, and competitive shopping 

• Process RTV’s, price changes, price protection, coupons/rebates, and markdowns 

• Retrieve/source financial data/reports to conduct weekly/seasonal reviews of performance with the Buyer 

• Collaborate frequently with other departments in Merchandising and the company 

• Answer emails and calls in a timely manner from sellers on products and vendors. 

What’s needed - Basic Qualifications:

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing, enrolled 

• Must be a rising senior (graduating May 2026) enrolled as a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 college credits 

• Requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher 

• Strong Microsoft Office skills 

• Strong Excel skills; ability to use a pivot table 

What’s needed - Preferred Qualifications:

• Passionate about retail and merchandising 

• Retail Experience 

• Enjoy working in teams and being highly communicative 

• Able to multitask and be flexible to new initiatives