Divisional Merchandise Manager

Do it Best; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Profit sharing

Bonus opportunities

Retirement funding

Education reimbursement

Gym reimbursement

Career advancement

Job summary

Do it Best Group in Fort Wayne, IN, is seeking a Divisional Merchandise Manager to lead merchandising teams and drive programs that keep members competitive, in stock, and profitable.

You will direct product assortments, pricing, promotions, and vendor negotiations while building annual sales, margins, and turns goals. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and retail experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Strategic merchandising leadership experience and a track record of guiding teams.
• Experience in budgeting, planning, and vendor negotiations.
• Background in home improvement or related retail is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and departments.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and budgeting for assigned areas.
• Develop sales strategies for departments and product categories.
• Plan product assortments for departments and categories.
• Negotiate and develop vendor programs.
• Lead, direct, and develop staff; hit annual targets.
• Oversight of supplier selection, landed cost, and pricing.
• Coordinate private-label and market program assortments.
• Collaborate with members and vendors on initiatives.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Vendor negotiations

Budgeting

Communication

Multitasking

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

8-10 years of business experience (purchasing focus)

MS Office proficiency (Excel, Word, Access)

Home Improvement industry experience

2-5 years of management experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, Access)

Job description

Location: Fort Wayne, IN (Onsite)

Level: Salaried

Division/Department: Merchandising

Reporting to position: VP of Merchandising

About the role:

The Divisional Merchandise Manager is responsible for leading, directing, and developing one or more teams within Merchandising to develop and deliver to members programs and products to keep members competitive, profitable, in stock, and at the forefront of change and innovation. Keeps the teams focused on vendors, products, promotions, and pricing related activities to benefit members.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and budgeting for assigned areas
• Strategic Planning specifically on: Sales strategies for departments and product categories
• Product Assortment strategies for departments and product categories
• Negotiations and program development with vendors
• Managing, directing, and developing staff
• Achieving Annual Performance Targets for each department on sales, margins, turns, and service level
• Oversight and guidance on supplier selection and negotiations
• Oversight and guidance on landed cost and pricing calculations
• Oversight and guidance on RSC product assortment
• Oversight and guidance on private-label product assortment
• Oversight and guidance on item selection for promotions
• Oversight and guidance on Market programs and specials
• Oversight and guidance on Member visits, sales opportunities, and communications
• Oversight and guidance on work with the Alliance
• Other related responsibilities as assigned
• Participate in special projects (as assigned or self-perpetuated). Set objectives, determine action plans and set target completion dates.
• Assume a leadership role in the Division and the Company
• Assume a leadership role related to Merchandising topics with members and vendors
• Develop sales, gross profit, and stock turn goals for departments annually
• Develop annual Key Initiatives for each Merchandising team

Education and Experience:

Minimum

• 4-year college degree in business or a related field
• 8-10 years of business experience (purchasing focus ideally)
• Proficient in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Access)
• Home Improvement industry experience
• Past record of accomplishments
• 2-5 years of Management Experience

Desired

• Retail experience
• Retail financial planning and assortment planning experience
• International or Global Sourcing experience including foreign supplier visits
• Experience on a national perspective

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently; flexible
• Ability to effectively communicate complex and controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience
• Ability to partner with, collaborate with, and influence internal and external team members
• Complete assignments in a timely manner
• Strong communications, organizational, and project management skills
• Ability to coach and develop team members
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Self-starter with the ability to draw conclusions and find solutions
• Demonstrate a professional and positive demeanor

Benefits available to you:

• Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision
• Paid time off to foster work/life balance
• Profit sharing
• Bonus Pay opportunities
• Retirement funding opportunities
• Education reimbursement
• Health club reimbursement
• Career advancement opportunities

Please note that for this role, relocation assistance is not available. Candidates should be willing and able to work in Fort Wayne, IN without the need for relocation support. We encourage local candidates or those already planning to move to the area to apply.

About Do It Best Group

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world's largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, we support thousands of independently-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities.

Culture

Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role.

Our Philosophy:

Serving others as we would like to be served

Our Mission:

Making the best even better

Our Goal:

Helping members grow and achieve their dreams