Senior Merchant (Senior Category Manager)

Clark Associates

Lancaster (Lancaster County)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 140,000

Full time

15 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Dental

PTO

Paid Maternity Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Disability

Dependent Care FSA

401(k) matching

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Incentives

Company Discounts

AT&T & Verizon Discount

Bonus Opportunities

Accident Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Adoption Assistance

Job summary

Clark Associates, a Lancaster-based multidepartment company, seeks a Senior Merchant to lead strategic direction and performance across a major product category. You will own vendor partnerships, negotiate programs, and guide pricing, assortment, and product quality to sustain growth and profitability.

You will mentor teams, drive cross-functional collaboration, and leverage analytics to improve category health and customer value. The role emphasizes strategic leadership and market insight.

Qualifications

Proven track record in a Category Manager role with mastery of responsibilities.
Strong negotiation and vendor management experience across multiple suppliers.
Advanced analytic skills to drive pricing, assortment, and category improvements.

Responsibilities

Owns development and management of strategic vendor partnerships and programs.
Sets goals for key category performance metrics and guides pricing/positioning.
Leads cross-functional efforts for product/category/vendor maintenance and launches.
Negotiates and signs vendor programs and leads complex negotiations.
Sources new products and designs product launch strategies.

Skills

Category management

Vendor negotiations

Pricing strategy

Leadership

Analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Strategic thinking

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Merchant is responsible for leading the strategic direction and overall performance of a product segment or major category. Building upon the Merchant role, this position drives the development and execution of comprehensive category strategies that deliver sustained sales growth, profitability, and competitive advantage. The Senior Merchant owns high-impact vendor partnerships, leading complex negotiations and shaping supplier strategies that align with both category and broader organizational objectives. This role plays a key part in product development and category assortment planning ensuring the category remains competitive and responsive to market trends and customer needs. In addition to category ownership, the Senior Merchant provides leadership and mentorship to team members, guiding execution and fostering a high-performance culture. By leveraging advanced analytics and strategic insight, this role identifies opportunities for large-scale improvements across pricing packages, category management processes, and product/portfolio quality, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and delivering enhanced value to customers.

Responsibilities

Owns development and management of strategic vendor partnerships, including discontinuing misaligned vendors
Develops and sets goals for key category performance metrics
Is a go-to cross-functionally for all aspects of product/category/vendor maintenance
Negotiates and signs vendor programs and leads complex negotiations
Sources new products and leads product launch strategies
Guides teams on pricing strategies and category positioning
Drives continuous improvement across pricing packages, product quality, and overall portfolio health
Promotes brand adhesion and consistency for all private label products, works closely with the brand team to make sure that brands are aligned under category verticals
Leads, motivates, and helps to develops team members

Physical Requirements

Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.

Remote Work Qualifications

Access to a reliable and secure high-speed internet connection. Cable or fiber internet connections (at least 75mbps download/10mbps upload) are preferred, as satellite connections often cannot support the technologies used to perform day-to-day tasks.
Access to a home router and modem.
A dedicated home office space that is noise- and distraction-free. The space should have strong wireless connection or a wired Ethernet connection (wired connection is preferred, if possible).
A valid, physical address (apartment, suite, etc.). PO Boxes are not supported, as a physical address is required for you to receive your computer equipment.
The desire and ability to work and communicate with other team members via chat, webcam, etc.
Legal residents of one of the following states: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY). H-1B Visa Sponsorship Not Available, W2 only.

Experience

Proven track record in a Category Manager role with mastery of responsibilities
We consider applicants with diverse majors and work history; however, applicants frequently have education in Business Management, Supply Chain, Business Logistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Marketing, or a related field. Relevant positions include Buyer, Procurement Analyst, Sourcing Operations Analyst, Vendor Manager, and Pricing Analyst.

Education

This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.

Desired Traits & Skills

Advanced mastery of Merchant-level responsibilities and category management principles
Strong strategic thinking and ability to develop category and vendor growth plans
Deep knowledge of product portfolios and competitive positioning
Advanced vendor negotiation and relationship management skills
Strong problem-solving skills for complex vendor and category challenges
Demonstrated ability to drive sales growth, profitability, and successful product launches
Ability to influence cross-functional partners
Leadership skills with ability to coach and develop others
Advanced analytical skills with ability to synthesize data into strategy
Exemplifies exceptional initiative, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Anticipates and navigates complex challenges, drives strategic results independently.

Company Overview

A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark’s distribution methods in the food service industry.

Benefits