Senior Brand Retail Strategist

This position has a full salary range of $77,800 - $132,000 per year with eligibility for an annual bonus. Starting salary is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location and experience. The target hiring range for this role is $77,800 - $100,000.

Candidates for this role must live in a major metropolitan area.

Role Overview:

The Senior Brand Retail Strategist is the strategic owner of a portfolio of natural CPG brands utilizing Dirty Hands’ field merchandising services and serves as a senior contributor within the Brand Experience team. This role owns brand strategy, merchandising direction, and partnership performance, driving measurable growth through data-informed decision-making, strong brand partnerships, and deep CPG and retail expertise.

You will use field data, sales performance trends, and qualitative insights to shape strategic direction, identify risks and growth opportunities, and drive measurable outcomes across complex brand portfolios. As a Senior Brand Retail Strategist, you will be accountable for the long-term health and growth of your portfolio through retention and expansion of brand partnerships. You will also elevate the Brand Experience team by driving cross-functional alignment, mentoring Brand Retail Strategists, and strengthening the strategic processes that support scalable growth.

This role reports to the Director of Brand Experience and partners closely with Field Merchandising Leadership, Business Development, and cross-functional stakeholders across the organization.

What You’ll Own:

Brand Portfolio Strategy

• Own the end-to-end merchandising strategy for a high-impact brand portfolio, aligning brand objectives with field execution realities and Dirty Hands’ services. 
• Turn performance data, execution insights, and market context into clear strategic direction and actionable recommendations.
• Proactively assess merchandising performance, anticipate challenges, and adjust strategy to drive measurable results.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments with sound judgment, clear communication, and confident decision-making.
• Drive improvements to strategic frameworks, tools, and processes that enable scalable growth.

Brand Partnerships

• Serve as the primary strategic owner and point of accountability for complex or high-visibility brand partnerships.

• Build and maintain strong, trusted brand relationships through proactive communication, clear strategic guidance, and performance ownership
• Confidently lead high-stakes brand conversations with minimal oversight, navigating performance challenges, risk mitigation, and ambiguity with clarity and composure.
• Exercise sound judgment in determining when to independently resolve challenges and when to escalate appropriately.
• Provide strategic oversight for brand onboarding, launches, and key transitional phases, ensuring long-term partnership success.

Portfolio Retention & Expansion

• Identify and lead expansion conversations with existing brands, partnering with Business Development when appropriate.
• Clearly articulate ROI, financial impact, and strategic value to support expansion, retention, and long-term partnership growth.
• Provide strategic input on scope, pricing, and contract strategy informed by brand goals and financial considerations.
• Lead partnership and performance reviews focused on retention, expansion, and long-term value creation. 

Performance & Insights

• Own the performance narrative, connecting data and field insights into a clear, cohesive story that shapes brand perspective and informs next steps.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations that inform brand and internal decisions.
• Highlight expansion, optimization, and retention opportunities based on performance trends and financial considerations.
• Assess and communicate wins, risks, and growth opportunities with a long-term perspective.
• Ensure accuracy and effective use of field tools, reporting, and brand documentation.

Internal Partnership & Mentorship

• Serve as a mentor and strategic resource to Brand Retail Strategists, modeling ownership, accountability, and soun