Manager, Merchandise

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people!

If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet.

• We love all pets like our own
• We’re the future of the pet industry
• We’re here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We’re focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what’s good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco.

Job Description: As the Merchandise Manager, you will lead direct reports and be responsible for the strategic planning, assortment development, and procurement of products across various sales channels, both online and brick & mortar. Your expertise in merchandising, data analysis, and team leadership will be crucial in driving revenue growth, optimizing inventory management, and enhancing the overall customer experience. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the direction of our merchandise strategy and contribute to the success of our retail operations.  This role will either report to the Sr Manager, Merchandise, or to the Director, Merchandise.

Key Responsibilities:

Merchandise Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive merchandise strategy that aligns with company goals, market trends, and customer preferences.
• Analyze market data, sales performance, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and inform assortment decisions.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team that may include buyers, assistant merchandisers and merchandise analysts, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.
• Set clear goals and expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and provide ongoing coaching and development.

Assortment Planning:

• Oversee the development of product assortments that cater to diverse customer segments and align with business objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure assortment strategies are consistent across all sales channels.

Vendor Relationships:

• Establish and nurture strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and promotional support.
• Monitor vendor performance and compliance with contractual agreements.

Purchase and Inventory Management:

• Lead the creation of purchase plans that balance demand forecasts, inventory levels, and sales targets.
• Work closely with inventory management teams to optimize inventory turnover, prevent stockouts, and manage overstock situations.

Market Analysis and Trends:

• Stay current with industry trends, competitive landscape, and consumer behavior to drive informed merchandising decisions.
• Analyze sales data and market insights to recommend adjustments to product offerings, pricing, and promotions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain teams to align merchandise strategies with overall business goals.
• Communicate assortment plans, promotional activities, and product launches to relevant stakeholders.

Budget Management:

• Collaborate with finance teams to develop and manage merchandise budgets, ensuring alignment with financial goals and forecasts.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field.
• Several years of experience in retail merchandising, ideally experience in an omni-channel environment; or a Masters degree in business with demonstrated track record of professional success
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to manage and develop a team (this would be first time managers, so we wouldn’t expect someone to come in with proven leadership experience!)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent negotiation skills and vendor relationship management experience.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and Microsoft Excel.
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention