Global Merchandising Lead - Product & Growth

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Merchandise Manager to drive category strategy, product development, and omnichannel execution across global stores and digital touchpoints. You will translate brand standards into commercially viable assortments that elevate guest experience and maximize profitability.

You’ll partner with Planning, Design, Global Store Operations, Marketing, Digital Commerce, Sourcing, and QA to manage end-to-end product lifecycles from concept brief to shelf and online catalog, balancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, product development, or category management—preferably within branded specialty retail, entertainment/experiential retail, or consumer goods.
• Track Record:Demonstrated success managing multi-category product lines and executing omnichannel merchandise assortments across physical and digital storefronts.

Responsibilities

• Execute category and assortment plans across designated merchandise categories (e.g., apparel, souvenirs, novelty, seasonal collections, and M&M’S personalization) aligned with global brand standards and financial targets.
• Analyze retail KPIs, market trends, and consumer insights to identify assortment opportunities and optimize product productivity.
• Build and maintain seasonal line sheets, product catalogs, and master assortment matrices for global store formats and digital channels.
• Communicate seasonal product strategies, line changes, and key milestones and assortment updates to internal and global stakeholders.
• Recommend pricing and promotional tactics in partnership with Planning and Finance to drive sell-through and protect gross margin.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Communication

Brand & creative sense

Retail math

Education

Bachelor’s degree

5–7 years retail merchandising experience

Tools

ERP/inventory systems

PLM software

Excel

PowerPoint/Keynote

Job description

Mars is seeking a Merchandise Manager to drive category strategy, product development, and omnichannel execution across global stores and digital touchpoints. You will translate brand standards into commercially viable assortments that elevate guest experience and maximize profitability.

You’ll partner with Planning, Design, Global Store Operations, Marketing, Digital Commerce, Sourcing, and QA to manage end-to-end product lifecycles from concept brief to shelf and online catalog, balancing