Sr Merchandise Specialist

As a Sr Merchandise Specialist, this position is an integral component of the Growth Services department within Merchandising, reporting to the Director responsible for Services such as tech and travel services. This role has two main objectives - operations/project management and performance management, which it delivers through strong analytical skills and cross-functional partnership with several Staples Business Units (Store Operations, Portfolio, Marketing, Finance, and Digital teams). This position is key in assisting in the overall execution of the business strategies. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for reporting, analysis, all components of the circular/email process, and incremental tracking. 
• Manage vendor relationships. 
• Monitor ongoing performance for initiatives relative to financial goals through understanding of all key performance metrics - sales, margin, and expenses such as marketing and labor.  

• Develop and project manage short-term plans for mitigating risks and addressing opportunities.

• Manage cross-functional relationships and ensure that other business units are supporting programs around Planogram, Seasonal Promo, and Weekly advertising. 

• Collaborate with immediate and cross-functional teams, as well as the supplier community to identify new strategic initiatives, create project plans, and implement timelines to test/roll out.
• Define initiatives and influence cross-functional leadership to execute changes in strategy based on recommendations and research/data analytics 
• Reevaluate past initiatives to suggest improvements/best practices

• Research and stay up to date with market trends and innovation to make informed decisions about strategy implementation and the focus of products on customer satisfaction. 

• Assist in PowerPoint creation and data analysis to support leadership presentations

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree

• Minimum 2 years of project management, data analytics or merchandising experience

• Vendor management and assortment planning 

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills 

Preferred Competencies:

• Self-motivation, organizational skills, written/ verbal communication skills, ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and an overall understanding of the operations of the Staples retail business. 

• Be able to adapt to changes in job requirements, learning and applying new skills as needed to ensure the company's success

• Have the ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail, and the ability to work independently, adjust priorities, and work in a continuously changing environment

• Strong business aptitude, analytical, and problem-solving skills 

• Ability to establish and maintain credibility with the business functional resources they will work with

• Be curious, creative and an out-of-the-box thinker, and a problem solver. 

• Ability to work well in a team atmosphere and act as a leader 

Get great perks.

• Bonus plan and generous amount of paid time off, including one Floating Holiday each year
• Flexible work arrangements, including flexible work hours 
• 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance with many more optional benefits
• Associate store discount and more perks (discounts on mobile plans, movie tickets, etc.)

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation. 

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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.

Staples is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 1-888-490-4747 for more information.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act; as well as with any other state and local Fair Chance Ordinance/Act regulations.

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.