Category Merchant

Family Dollar; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Dollar is seeking a Category Merchant to drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity across assigned categories in Chesapeake, VA. You will own end-to-end category performance, including assortment strategy, pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations.

The role requires strong merchandising instincts, analytical rigor, and a focus on value-focused consumers. You will collaborate with planning, marketing, and store operations to optimize in-stock and promotional effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Advanced analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing category P&L.
• Proven negotiation and vendor management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that deliver sales growth, margin expansion, and inventory turn improvement.
• Own P&L for assigned categories, including forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking.
• Identify white space opportunities and optimize assortment to meet customer demand and price expectations.
• Lead negotiations on cost, terms, and promotional funding with suppliers.
• Partner with planning, allocation, and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels and in-stock performance.
• Plan and execute promotional calendars to drive traffic and basket size.
• Collaborate with marketing, store operations, and finance on category initiatives.

Skills

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Vendor management

Excel

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Merchandising/Supply Chain

Tools

Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Category Merchant is responsible for driving sales, margin, and inventory productivity for assigned categories within the Family Dollar banner. This role owns end-to-end category performance, including assortment strategy, vendor partnerships, pricing, promotions, and supply optimization. The ideal candidate combines strong merchandising instincts with analytical rigor and a deep understanding of value-focused consumers.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Financial Ownership

• Develop and execute category strategies that deliver sales growth, margin expansion, and inventory turn improvement
• Own P&L for assigned categories, including forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking
• Identify white space opportunities and optimize assortment to meet customer demand and price expectations

Assortment Planning & Product Selection

• Build and maintain a productive assortment aligned to Family Dollar’s core customer
• Leverage data, trends, and customer insights to inform SKU rationalization and new item introductions
• Ensure strong opening price points and value perception across all categories

Vendor Management & Sourcing

• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure cost competitiveness and product quality
• Lead negotiations on cost, terms, and promotional funding
• Partner with global sourcing teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve margins

Pricing & Promotions

• Establish competitive pricing strategies that reinforce Family Dollar’s value proposition
• Plan and execute promotional calendars to drive traffic and basket size
• Analyze price elasticity and promotional effectiveness

Inventory & Supply Chain Collaboration

• Partner with planning, allocation, and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels and in-stock performance
• Monitor key metrics such as turns, fill rates, and shrinkProactively mitigate supply risks and demand fluctuations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, store operations, and finance teams to align on category initiatives
• Support seasonal planning and execution
• Contribute to omnichannel and private label strategies where applicable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field
• 5–10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, or buying (discount retail experience preferred)
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing category P&L
• Proven negotiation and vendor management skills
• Advanced analytical skills; proficiency in Excel and data-driven decision-making
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in value or discount retail environments
• Knowledge of private label development
• Familiarity with global sourcing and cost modeling
• Experience with merchandising or planning systems

Key Competencies

• Customer-first mindset with a focus on value and affordability
• Strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities
• Data-driven decision-making
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Agility and resilience in a fast-paced environment

Projected Salary Range

$148,000-$156,000

Family Dollar is an equal opportunity employer and committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We are committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Full time

510 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

Buying

Family Dollar