Merchandise Specialist

Socket.dev; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

401(k) with company match

Employee discounts

Job summary

Staples is seeking a detail-oriented Merchandising Associate to manage SKU lifecycles, maintain the master assortment, and coordinate forecasting across business units. You will support vendor communications and contribute to cross-functional projects, ensuring accurate reporting and cost controls.

You will work with content, inventory, planning, and the own-brand teams to optimize assortment and drive performance. A strong Excel skillset and independent work style are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication to support cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently while managing priorities across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing the SKU lifecycle: item setup, maintenance, inactivation, RTVs/destroy. Partner with content and inventory.
• Manage Master Assortment tracker for items used across all BUs; provide SKU needs (adds, deletes, maintenance).
• Facilitate communication of new items and forecasts across BU Counterparts, Inventory & Planning, own brand, Vendor Management, etc.
• Identify matches to merch ops to ALT products when needed.
• Run reporting covering sales and margin performance, vendor purchases, BU performance, and ad hoc reporting.
• Perform financial analysis of vendors and assortment; recommend opportunities to improve performance.
• Process and communicate cost increases via PCW Process with vendors or own brands.
• Handle high volume field inquiries and provide quick problem-solving support.
• Communicate with Distribution network and Wholesaler team to identify assortment gaps and add items at best cost.
• Support Merchandising and Generalist salesforce with RFPs and Proposals.
• Assist merchant in executing activities to deliver vendor and category strategies.

Skills

Strong comms

Independent working

Merchandising experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel/Outlook/Word/PowerPoint)

Job description

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together.

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers’ needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We’re inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more.

What you’ll be doing:

• Responsible for managing the SKU throughout its lifecycle: item set up, maintenance, inactivation’s, and RTVs/destroy. Partner with content and inventory throughout the process.
• Manage the Master Assortment tracker for all items to be utilized across all BUs; provide SKU needs: adds, deletes, and maintenance, so all channels know their active assortment.
• Facilitate communication of new items and forecasts across all BU Counterparts, Inventory & Planning, own brand, Vendor Management, etc.
• Identify, track, and provide matches to the merch ops team that can be used to ALT products when needed.
• Become a system expert and be responsible for running reporting covering sales and margin performance, vendor purchases, BU performance, and ad hoc reporting.
• Responsible for financial analysis of vendors and assortment and recommending opportunities to improve performance.
• Process and communicate any cost increases via PCW Process with the vendors or own brand team.
• Ability to handle a high volume of Field inquiries daily and provide support by utilizing problem-solving skills quickly and efficiently.
• Communicate effectively and proactively with the Distribution network and Wholesaler team to identify assortment gaps and add new items at the best cost to the Master assortment as necessary.
• Support Merchandising teams as well as Generalist salesforce with RFPs and Proposals.
• Support merchant on the execution of activities to deliver vendor and category strategies.

What you bring to the table:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to support cross-functional collaboration

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint

• Ability to work independently while managing priorities across multiple teams and business needs

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• 1+ year of experience in business or related field
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent business experience

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications

• Prior Merchandising experience

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

*The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.