Associate Merchant

Job Description

The Merchant, Associate at The ODP Group works cross-functionally to support strategic category plans, improve profitability, and drive product strategy and innovation. This role develops and maintains pricing strategies in coordination with the strategic pricing team, negotiates with suppliers to secure funding for customer acquisition and retention, and maximizes margin through effective SKU mix, promotional activities, and vendor partnerships.

Responsibilities include analyzing product assortments to identify gaps and opportunities, managing the end-to-end product lifecycle including inventory clearance, running and evaluating assortment promotions, and presenting key findings and corrective actions to merchandising leadership. The Merchant, Associate collaborates with pricing and inventory teams to optimize forecasting and promotional effectiveness, stays updated on industry trends and competitors, and tracks key performance indicators. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of retail optimization, digital experience, B2B sales, pricing strategies, and customer segmentation, and has decision-making authority within their assigned scope to drive product success across all channels.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Defines and manages process for running assortment promotions and postmortem against key sales, margin and inventory metrics; incorporates and communicates learnings to leader for assortment, promotion and purchasing decisions
• Makes recommendation on a SKU level basis to help with decisions related to SKU additions, promotional activity and aged inventory promotional strategy
• Partners with B2B pricing team to maximize margin on bid responses through SKU mix, negotiating vendor funding, and understanding market competition.
• Negotiates/collects vendor funding for new customer bids and promotions
• Provides product forecasting to the inventory teams to maximize promotional effectiveness. Influences and evaluates inventory health for promotional effectiveness.
• Performs competitive price shop to ensure we are market competitive on web, in store and large customer bids. Evaluates and implements corrective action.
• Works with Solution Insight team to improve profitability.
• Partners with category team members to fulfill category management objectives.
• Develops and maintains pricing relationships in good/better/best pricing and private brand vs national brand pricing in coordination with strategic pricing teams.

Education and Experience:

• Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Area of Study: Business Administration, Marketing, Merchandising
• Minimum Years of Experience: 4
• Type of Experience:
  • Product Selection and Assortment Planning
  • Vendor and Supplier Negotiation
  • Market and Consumer Trend Analysis
  • Pricing Strategy Development
  • Promotional Planning and Execution
  • Inventory Management
  • Sales and Performance Analysis
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Category Management
  • Retail Operations Understanding
• Technical Competencies & Information Systems: Intermediate PC software skills using Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Analytical Skills
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Financial Acumen
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Communication Skills
  • Project Management
  • Problem-Solving Skills
• Personal Attributes & Other/Preferred:
  • Initiative
  • Resilience
  • Integrity
  • Curiosity
  • Passion for Retail
  • Empathy
  • Decisiveness
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
  • Attention to Detail

About The ODP Group : The ODP Group, through its business entities ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot, is a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores.


Commitment to Safety: We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for our Coworkers and our customers. All Coworkers are expected to support our operational safety culture by working safely and addressing potential hazards or concerns.


Disclaimer : The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by Coworkers assigned to this classification and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of Coworkers so classified. Other duties may be assigned.


Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: The company offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunities to move and grow within our organization! You may be eligible to participate in an incentive program, paid in accordance with the Incentive Plan terms and conditions.


Equal Employment Opportunity : The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.


We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.


Application Deadline : The job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 days and will expire once the position has been filled.


How to Apply: Click the "Apply Now" button and follow the instructions on each page. When you have completed the application, click the "Submit" button.