Senior Merchandising Manager- Rugs

Emerging Blue, Inc.; Norfolk (VA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Emerging Blue, Inc. is seeking a Senior Merchandiser for Rugs. This remote role focuses on owning the rug category assortment, managing vendor relationships, and translating trends into compelling product stories for online shoppers.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in merchandising and strong data-driven decision-making. Direct rug experience is a plus. Travel to markets may be required, and a 100% remote setup is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in merchandising, buying, or category management in home decor or similar
• Strong track record in assortment strategy and data-driven decisions
• Experience with dropship models and site merchandising preferred
• Excellent vendor relationships and strategic negotiation skills
• Ability to lead initiatives from strategy to execution in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Own assortment strategy and drive revenue, margin, conversion, and growth for the rug category
• Develop product roadmap across styles, constructions, materials, price points, and sizes
• Manage dropship vendor relationships and conduct assortment reviews and negotiations
• Use sales data, customer insights, and market trends to optimize the assortment
• Translate trends into product stories, collections, and site experiences
• Collaborate with Marketing to create compelling, customer-facing campaigns
• Support product development and exclusive-product initiatives
• Coordinate with Merchandising Operations for timely product setup and vendor execution
• Lead cross-functional communication and maintain clear priorities

Skills

Merchandising

Vendor management

E-commerce

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

erchandiser - Rugs

Job Description

Senior Merchandiser - Rugs

Our client is a home furnishings business specializing in rugs for every room, style, and budget. Through a broad dropship assortment and select exclusive product, they help customers discover the right rug and make the online shopping experience both inspiring and easy to navigate.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Senior Merchandiser- Rugs is a seasoned merchant who combines strong strategic thinking with analytical rigor and hands-on execution. This person will own the assortment strategy, manage key vendor relationships, identify growth opportunities, and ensure the business responds quickly to emerging customer and design trends.

The ideal candidate is an independent, goal-oriented self-starter with sound judgment, a strong creative eye, and the discipline to move from strategy to execution. Home experience is important; direct rug experience is welcome but not required. Product development experience is a plus, but the priority is a merchant who can lead the business strategically, use data confidently, and get things done in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the merchandising and assortment strategy for the rug category, identifying opportunities to drive revenue, margin, conversion, and long-term growth.
• Build and manage the product roadmap across styles, constructions, materials, price points, sizes, and customer needs, balancing breadth with a clear and compelling point of view.
• Manage relationships with existing dropship vendors, including assortment reviews, performance discussions, line selection, asset needs, opportunities, and issue resolution.
• Use sales performance, customer behavior, site data, market insights, and competitive intelligence to evaluate the assortment, identify whitespace, and make evidence-based decisions.
• Monitor rug, home, color, material, and interior-design trends; translate relevant trends into timely product stories, curated collections, landing pages, and site experiences.
• Attend markets and vendor appointments to review collections, strengthen partnerships, and identify new product and vendor opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative to develop seasonal points of view and translate vendor assortments into elevated, customer-facing stories.
• Gather product information, photography, and creative assets from vendors; clearly communicate campaign, banner, and site-merchandising needs.
• Use a strong visual eye to select compelling imagery, assess whether creative feels inspirational and elevated, and advise partners on which vendor assets best support the brand and customer experience.
• Partner with marketing to ensure collections, navigation, product placement, and promotional stories are commercially effective, informative, and inspiring.
• Support exclusive-product initiatives and product development as needed, partnering with leadership and vendors from concept through launch.
• Collaborate closely with Merchandising Operations to ensure accurate, timely product setup, vendor execution, and efficient workflow management.
• Establish clear goals and priorities, communicate progress proactively, and serve as the category expert across the organization.
• Move comfortably between strategy and execution, stepping into details when needed while keeping the broader business objectives in view.

Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive merchandising, buying, or category-management experience, ideally within home furnishings or home decor; experience in a larger, disciplined retail environment is valued.
• Demonstrated success developing assortment strategies and using data to drive category growth and commercial decisions.
• Strong vendor-management and relationship-building experience, with the judgment and confidence to lead productive business conversations.
• E-commerce or direct-to-consumer experience required; experience with dropship business models and site merchandising strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the home customer and a refined creative eye for product, color, pattern, photography, and visual storytelling.
• Ability to identify trends early and translate them into relevant, actionable product and marketing opportunities.
• Highly analytical, organized, responsive, and execution-focused, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Independent and proactive, with the energy, grit, and adaptability to thrive in a fast-moving remote environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional partners at multiple levels.
• Product development and exclusive-product experience are a plus, but not required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent relevant experience.

REMOTE WORK

This is a 100% remote position with no expectation of returning to an office. The team is distributed across the United States and respects employees' local working hours. Eastern Time Zone availability is preferred due to vendor and team collaboration needs. Some travel to markets and vendor meetings is expected.

Salary $120,000 - $130,000