Associate Category Manager

Gardner-White Furniture Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Gardner White Furniture Inc. seeks an Associate Category Manager to support product assortments across upholstery, case goods, and related categories. You will work with senior leaders on assortment planning, vendor management, and product launches to drive sales and a superior customer experience.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, accurate product data, and timely merchandising execution in a fast-paced retail environment. Travel to furniture markets and showrooms is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Interior Design, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in merchandising, retail buying, product development, interior design, or related field preferred.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Passion for home furnishings, interior design, merchandising, and identifying emerging trends.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of assortments within assigned merchandise categories.
• Collaborate with merchandising leadership to identify product opportunities, emerging design trends, and category growth initiatives.
• Participate in vendor meetings to review new product introductions, discuss pricing and trends, and plan future assortments.
• Coordinate product launches from purchase through in-store and online execution.
• Partner with Marketing, E-Commerce, Inventory, and Store Operations to ensure products are launched accurately and on time.
• Manage product setup for the website, including specifications, photography, descriptions, pricing, and merchandising attributes.
• Assist in developing product knowledge materials and coordinate sales training initiatives with vendor partners.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, margins, and product lifecycle data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Assist with showroom floor planning, collection placement, visual merchandising, and seasonal floor resets.
• Monitor customer trends, competitive activity, and market insights to support assortment decisions.
• Maintain accurate product information, purchase documentation, pricing, and vendor records.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners while ensuring project timelines and deliverables are met.
• Attend furniture markets, vendor showrooms, and industry events to identify new products and market trends.
• Support cross-functional projects and additional merchandising initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Merchandising

Vendor management

Product development

Project management

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Job Summary

Gardner White Furniture is seeking a motivated, organized, creative, and detail-oriented Associate Category Manager to join our Merchandising team. This role is responsible for supporting the development, management, and execution of product assortments within an assigned merchandise category. Assigned categories may include Upholstery, Case Goods, Fireplaces, Occasional Tables, Top of Bed, Accent Furniture, or other product classifications as determined by business needs. The Associate Category Manager works closely with senior merchandising leaders to support assortment planning, vendor management, product development, and merchandising initiatives while helping bring new products from concept to showroom floor. This position partners cross-functionally to ensure successful product launches, strong sales performance, and an exceptional customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of assortments within assigned merchandise categories.
• Collaborate with merchandising leadership to identify product opportunities, emerging design trends, and category growth initiatives.
• Participate in vendor meetings to review new product introductions, discuss pricing and trends, and plan future assortments.
• Coordinate product launches from purchase through in-store and online execution.
• Partner with Marketing, E-Commerce, Inventory, and Store Operations to ensure products are launched accurately and on time.
• Manage product setup for the website, including specifications, photography, descriptions, pricing, and merchandising attributes.
• Assist in developing product knowledge materials and coordinate sales training initiatives with vendor partners.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, margins, and product lifecycle data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Assist with showroom floor planning, collection placement, visual merchandising, and seasonal floor resets.
• Monitor customer trends, competitive activity, and market insights to support assortment decisions.
• Maintain accurate product information, purchase documentation, pricing, and vendor records.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners while ensuring project timelines and deliverables are met.
• Attend furniture markets, vendor showrooms, and industry events to identify new products and market trends.
• Support cross-functional projects and additional merchandising initiatives as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Qualifications needed to perform this position:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Interior Design, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in merchandising, retail buying, product development, interior design, or a related field preferred.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Passion for home furnishings, interior design, merchandising, and identifying emerging trends.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office and retail environment. Travel for furniture markets, vendor meetings, and industry events is required.

Physical Demands

The employee will be required to stand and walk for extended periods while attending furniture markets, vendor showrooms, and store locations. The employee may occasionally lift and move items weighing up to 40 pounds while assisting with store rollouts and merchandising activities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday based on the needs of the business.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, or responsibilities associated with the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.