Executive Leader, Merchandising & Category Growth

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an accomplished executive to lead enterprise merchandising across vending, markets, and related channels, shaping assortment, pricing, and category strategy. You will drive annual calendars, performance metrics, and cross-functional collaboration with procurement, finance, and operations to optimize gross margin and sales.

The role requires proven leadership in merchandising and pricing, deep analytics, and the ability to influence multiple regions and teams.

Qualifications

• Progressive executive leadership experience in merchandising, category management, pricing, retail, or multi-site operations.
• Proven ability to translate category strategies into measurable sales, margin, and customer outcomes.
• Deep understanding of pricing architecture, assortment optimization, vendor programs, and promotional effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead enterprise merchandising strategy across multiple channels.
• Create consistent approaches to assortment, planograms, and local market relevance.
• Build annual merchandising and promotional calendars to drive traffic, basket growth, and loyalty.
• Own category strategy, performance standards, and lifecycle decisions.
• Lead category managers in item- and category-level planning using sales, margin, and market data.
• Partner with Procurement on vendor selection, costs, terms, and rebates.
• Own enterprise pricing strategy and promotional pricing governance.
• Establish gross margin targets and manage price gap decisions.
• Influence waste and spoilage through lifecycle and assortment strategies.
• Establish weekly, period, and quarterly performance rhythms across category and margins.
• Create executive-ready reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional operating models across Merchandising, Category Management, Procurement, Finance, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and technology.

Skills

Merchandising strategy

Category management leadership

Pricing architecture

Financial analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Change management

Communication

Collaboration

Influencing

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking an accomplished executive to lead enterprise merchandising across vending, markets, and related channels, shaping assortment, pricing, and category strategy. You will drive annual calendars, performance metrics, and cross-functional collaboration with procurement, finance, and operations to optimize gross margin and sales.

The role requires proven leadership in merchandising and pricing, deep analytics, and the ability to influence multiple regions and teams.