Staples Hiring for Director of Merchandising (Quill) at Lincolnshire, Illinois Full Time

Quill Corporation is an American office supply retailer, founded in 1956, and headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois. It services more than one million small and mid-sized U.S. business customers, with access to over one million assorted products. While over 70% of sales are conducted online, it also employs mail-order and direct sales models. It is considered to be among the largest business-to-business direct markets of office supplies in the U.S., but it also sells products in other categories such as technology, cleaning and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety products and professional medical equipment through it’s Quill Healthcare unit.

Position Summary

The Technology and Custom Print Merchandising Director is responsible for all aspects of assigned product lines that total over $430 million in sales and leading a team of up to 7 people. This includes developing and executing strategic business plans and managing key functions to ensure budgeted sales and product margin goals are met. Responsibilities include assortment planning, merchandise and vendor selection, negotiations, financial planning, promotional planning, on-line merchandise presentation, vendor relations, plus inventory and logistics implications.

As a Director of Merchandising, you are a member of the Quill Leadership team which requires you to work effectively across the organization contributing to and driving company initiatives. This role is a highly collaborative leadership role and requires effective partnering with the Go-to-Market team, Finance, Analytics, Sku Operations, Inventory Management, Agency, Pricing, Staples Merchandising, and other functional areas as needed to achieve corporate goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic

Expertly interpret financial statements, total cost to, financial levers and metrics used in merchandising to understand current and future trends. Has overall responsibility for developing realistic and effective strategic business plans for assigned product lines to achieve budgeted goals in sales, margin, supply chain impact, driving execution and adjustments of the plan.

Develop deep understanding of customer’s needs and behaviors through customer research. Leveraging customer knowledge and identifying market trends create selling strategies that give Quill.com a competitive advantage. Independently develop assortment strategies in anticipation of customer needs and select vendors for assigned product lines. Develop, execute, and effectively communicate strategy to the highest levels of the company for product lines, considering cross-functional implications. Review business plans to ensure plans align with company strategic objectives and goals.

Merchant Skills

Work closely with Staples Merchant teams to understand terms of Vendor Program Agreements and to ensure Quill specific asks are included. Expertly negotiate with vendors for lowest total delivered cost, volume incentives, rebates, advertising, and other applicable allowances that apply to the Vendor Program Agreement (VPA). Negotiate incremental Quill specific promotional and Key Supplier Program funding specific to assigned lines of responsibility.

Work at a seasoned expert level of Merchandising for assigned lines. Includes innovation, creativity, and proven results in driving sales and profitability, while ensuring service levels with minimal inventory investment.

Review and approve financial and item forecast with Planners all assigned product lines. Effectively manage Return and Allowance rates by identifying problematic SKUs and developing mitigation plans. In collaboration with cross-function team, develop and approve disposition plans for vendor transitions and SKU end of life.

Define role of Own Brand within assigned categories of responsibility. Develop and execute Own Brand strategies within the portfolio.

Marketing/Sales

Utilize insights from web and customer analytics, for on-line, digital, print and sales channels. Develop and deploy plans to create the most effortless and friendly online experience through the eyes of the customer. Optimize online shopping experience and revenue through search, browse, ribbons, content, imagery, attributes, cross selling, attachments, product relationships and other enhanced selling tools.

Partner cross-functionally with channel partners to gain deeper insights, communicate category strategies, and flawlessly execute plans. Understand our targeted marketing capabilities to enhance those contacts and maximize the results of our business.

Provide insights and recommendations to the Pricing team to support the development and management of market-based pricing strategies for assigned categories.

Responsible for collaborating, recommending, and executing promotional plans driven by the Go to Market team. Provide input on the best promotions based on the market conditions, sales forecast, category role, vendor negotiations, promo allowances and negotiations. Meet with vendors in development of growth and promotional plans.

Leadership and management of a team of Merchants

Facilitates the sharing of business insights, knowledge, and general information to increase team’s productivity. Manage and coach a team of Merchants who are responsible for the financial performance of their categories. Ensure the team’s product assortments will meet our customers’ needs.

Develop team members into future leaders in the organization with timely feedback, effective development plans and performance appraisals. Make hiring decisions for staff and ensure there are clear and effective onboarding plans for new associates. Removes communication barriers to increase productivity. Anticipates problems or issues within team and identifies process inefficiencies and process performance gaps. Demonstrates expertise in processes and is viewed as process expert within merchandising and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications :

Basic

College degree preferred (BA/BS)

Minimum 10 years total Merchandising experience

Professional Knowledge/Experience

Basic knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with proficiency in Access a plus.

Other Skills (e.g., specialized training, language proficiency, functional expertise etc.)

• Proven track record of ability to use analytic and strategic skills to make business decisions that support future growth

• Self-starter, comfortable operating in an ambiguous, fast-paced, complex environment with an ability to manage projects and people

• Ability to communicate effectively to both technical and business level audiences in a compelling and differentiating manner

• Proven business judgement and influencing skills used to advise and make recommendations on company direction and differentiation

• Strong leadership skills to effectively mentor and motivate high performing team of employees, contractors, and agencies

Interested in joining the team? Check out our perks and benefits !

Staples believes Inclusion is a verb and we encourage diversity of thinking and ideas as well as backgrounds and experiences. Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.