Vice President Merchandising

Cracker Barrel; Lebanon (TN); On-site; USD 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35% Discount on Cracker Barrel items

401k Matching Contributions

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Cracker Barrel is seeking a visionary Vice President of Merchandising to lead the strategic direction and performance of our national $650M+ retail business. You will shape category strategy, product innovation, sourcing, pricing, promotions, and organizational capability while partnering with Retail, Operations, Finance, and Digital leaders.

The leader will drive significant enterprise impact, build a high-performing team, and modernize capabilities through data, analytics, technology, and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive merchandising leadership experience.
• Significant ownership of large-scale retail P&L performance.
• Experience leading multi-category merchandise portfolios.
• Expertise in merchandising strategy, category management, assortment architecture, pricing, promotions, sourcing, and product development.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute enterprise merchandising strategy across all merchandise categories.
• Establish category portfolio priorities, assortment architecture, and investment frameworks.
• Identify new growth opportunities through consumer insights and trends.
• Lead enterprise product development and sourcing strategy.
• Build innovative product pipelines and manage vendor negotiations.
• Balance quality, speed-to-market, cost, and margin performance.
• Own merchandising performance within a $650M+ retail P&L.
• Drive pricing architecture and markdown governance.
• Lead enterprise merchandising reviews and portfolio decisions.

Skills

Merchandising leadership

P&L ownership

Category management

Vendor negotiations

Data analytics AI

Cross-functional leadership

Executive presence

Job description

They say you are the company you keep - and at Cracker Barrel, we take that seriously. At the Store Support Center, we’re in the business of serving those who serve our guests. Whether you’re designing solutions, telling our story, or setting our teams up for success, your work makes a difference every single day. Here, the work means more because we take pride in doing it together. So, join our team and find your place, because here…we’re all in good company.

What You'll Do

You'll Make the Moment. At Cracker Barrel, our retail business is much more than a store. It is a critical part of the guest experience, creating moments of discovery, nostalgia, connection, and delight for millions of guests each year. We are seeking a visionary, commercially driven Vice President of Merchandising to lead the strategic direction and performance of our $650M+ retail business across a national footprint and growing digital channels. This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished merchandising executive to shape category strategy, product innovation, sourcing, pricing, promotions, and organizational capability while helping define the next chapter of one of America’s most recognized brands. If you are a leader who combines merchant instinct, financial acumen, product innovation, team development, and a passion for creating distinctive customer experiences, this role offers an extraordinary platform for impact.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

Lead merchandising strategy for a $650M+ retail portfolio with significant influence on enterprise growth. Shape the future assortment, product development, and sourcing strategy of a beloved American brand. Drive modernization through data, analytics, technology, and AI-enabled merchandising capabilities. Build and develop a high-performing leadership team and succession pipeline. Influence enterprise decisions through close partnership with operations, marketing, supply chain, finance, digital, and technology leaders. Help accelerate a business with a clear path toward future growth and expanded market relevance.

What You'll Own

• Merchandising Strategy & Portfolio Leadership Define and execute enterprise merchandising strategy across all merchandise categories. Establish category portfolio priorities, assortment architecture, and investment frameworks. Identify new growth opportunities through consumer insights, emerging trends, and changing guest needs. Create differentiated merchandise experiences that strengthen brand distinction and customer loyalty.
• Product Development & Sourcing Excellence Lead enterprise product development and sourcing strategy. Build innovative product pipelines that create competitive advantage. Guide major vendor negotiations and commercial partnerships. Balance quality, speed-to-market, exclusivity, cost, innovation, and margin performance. Ensure sourcing strategies support long-term growth and profitability.
• Business Performance & Financial Leadership Own merchandising performance within a $650M+ retail P&L. Drive sales growth, margin expansion, inventory productivity, pricing effectiveness, and promotional performance. Establish pricing architecture and markdown governance that support both brand integrity and financial performance. Lead enterprise merchandising reviews and portfolio decision-making.
• Leadership & Organization Development Lead through a team of Senior Directors, Directors, and merchandising leaders. Build organizational capability, leadership depth, succession plans, and future talent pipelines. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Position the organization for future growth through modernization and capability building.
• Enterprise Partnership & Influence Partner closely with executive leaders across Retail, Operations, Finance, Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, eCommerce, Technology, and Data & Analytics. Influence enterprise strategy by connecting merchandising decisions to business performance and guest experience. Serve as a key member of the Retail Leadership Team.

The Experience We're Looking For

• 15+ years of progressive merchandising leadership experience.
• Significant ownership of large-scale retail P&L performance.
• Experience leading multi-category merchandise portfolios.
• Expertise in merchandising strategy, category management, assortment architecture, pricing, promotions, sourcing, and product development.
• Success developing proprietary, exclusive, or differentiated product assortments.
• Demonstrated vendor negotiation and commercial leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead large organizations through leaders.
• Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
• Experience leveraging data, analytics, technology, and AI to improve merchandising performance and decision quality.
• Experience within specialty retail, lifestyle retail, home, gift, apparel, general merchandise, omnichannel retail, or customer‑centric branded environments is highly desirable.

The Leader Who Will Thrive Here

A strategic thinker and business builder. A merchant at heart who understands both creativity and commercial discipline. Equally comfortable discussing brand storytelling, inventory productivity, vendor negotiations, and P&L performance. Passionate about developing leaders and building organizational capability. Excited by the opportunity to modernize while honoring the heritage of an iconic brand. Motivated by enterprise impact rather than title alone.

Join Us

Few merchandising leadership opportunities offer this combination of scale, influence, brand strength, and transformational potential. If you are ready to shape the future of an iconic retail business, build a lasting leadership legacy, and create meaningful impact for millions of guests, we invite you to explore this opportunity with Cracker Barrel. LEAD THE STRATEGY. TRANSFORM THE EXPERIENCE. SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT.

Focus on You

• Good Work Deserves Good Pay
  • Competitive Annual Salary
  • Annual Bonus Opportunities
• Support That Goes Beyond the Clock
  • Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1
  • Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
  • Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program
• Grow and Thrive Your Way
  • Business Resource Groups
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Professional Development
• Culture of Belonging
  • Support that starts on day one
  • Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive
  • Recognition programs and employee events that bring us together
• Invest in Your Future
  • 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
• More Perks, Just Because
  • 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items
  • Exclusive Biscuit Perks like discounts on home, travel, cell phones, and more!

A Little About Us

Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it’s become even more - somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home. With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots -- always serving up more than a meal. See for yourself.

Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.

They say you are the company you keep—And at Cracker Barrel we take that seriously. Bringing together folks who share a sense of pride in their work, and joy in hospitality. While building teams where everyone can see how much their contribution is valued. Because making a difference in someone’s life can feel big—But it’s often the smallest moments that have the deepest impact. We’re all in this together—to make a real difference for our guests, every day. That’s why, at Cracker Barrel, you’re all in good company. Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it’s become even more—somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home. With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots—always serving up more than a meal.