Merchandise Strategy Lead — Branded Assets & Events

WGU; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Health, dental, vision

Wellbeing program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

WGU in Salt Lake City is seeking a Store Strategist to oversee a branded merchandise program serving employees, students, and alumni across internal, external, pop-up, and custom-order channels.

You will refresh the merchandise assortment, improve product availability, manage vendor relationships, forecast demand, and lead strategy for major events while ensuring alignment with WGU’s brand.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in branded merchandise, e-commerce, or retail buying.
• Bachelor's degree or relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Strong financial acumen with budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Demonstrated project management and inventory planning skills.
• Creative eye with ability to evaluate merchandise for design quality and brand alignment.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Detail-oriented with urgency and ability to work independently or with others.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategic direction, product selection, and day-to-day merchandising operations for store channels.
• Develop inventory and assortment plans to improve availability and refresh designs.
• Manage vendor relationships and fulfillment, including forecasting, reordering, quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery.
• Review SKU performance and determine reorder, markdown, discontinue, refresh, or replace decisions.
• Oversee custom merchandise ordering and collaborate with Procurement, Finance, Communications, HR, Student Services, Events, Academics, and Marketing.
• Lead merchandise strategy and execution for commencements, summits, and major activations.
• Manage program reporting and budget oversight while ensuring brand standards.

Skills

Branded merchandise

E-commerce

Retail buying

Financial budgeting

Forecasting

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Project management software

Job description

WGU in Salt Lake City is seeking a Store Strategist to oversee a branded merchandise program serving employees, students, and alumni across internal, external, pop-up, and custom-order channels.

You will refresh the merchandise assortment, improve product availability, manage vendor relationships, forecast demand, and lead strategy for major events while ensuring alignment with WGU’s brand.