Merchandising Category Assistant

Overview

Responsibilities

The Assistant, Category supports the Merchant, Category in the management and execution of daily merchandising tasks. This position ensures that implementation of category initiatives runs smoothly through defined administration process across functions and with vendors; this is an integral part of this role.

Through the management of vendor funding, with a close eye on the market behavior and a clear understanding of category performance, this position provides the foundation for the Category Merchant. The incumbent will provide operational support for all merchandising activities within the assigned Category. The Category Assistant assists the Merchant in analyzing, planning, and executing processes necessary to achieve sales and margin goals within the assigned category. A degree of conceptual skill and ingenuity is required for the Category Assistant to distinguish him/herself. Although the Category Merchant has final authority over decisions undertaken by his/her merchandising team, the Category Assistant is relied up to produce analysis of sufficient scope and rigor that it informs those decisions.

• Enter data to support pricing and promotional guardrails.
• Establish habits of analysis that assist the Merchant and Associate Merchants in forecasting, budgeting, managing assortments, conducting line reviews, score-carding vendors, setting price points consistent with established pricing strategies.
• Perform analysis and reporting (recurring and ad hoc) to support Category Manager and Category Analyst.
• Work with Category Management team and Merchandise Operations to ensure the products are priced accurately and scan without errors.
• Communicate New Items for set-up and discontinued items as well as set-up for promoted items.
• Learn Office Depot Category Management planning processes.
• Develop a level of comfort and confidence with vendors and vendor relations. Assist the Category Merchant and Category Analyst in day-to-day communications with vendors’ primary corporate representatives. Establish working relationships with vendor outside resources and maintain vendor cost information.
• Assist Category Teams with additional tasks as required (e.g. physical sets, follow-up with vendors, reporting needs).
• Learn about responsible area’s category assortment including knowledge of products, vendor base and industry innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience plus a minimum 2 years experience in related field.
• Experience desirable in finance, marketing, supply chain, or retail operations.

Other Information

• Basic computer skills and knowledge, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and G-Mail
• Team effectiveness
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Ability to contribute substantively to more than one project simultaneously
• Strong communication skills (e.g. a capacity for concise, articulate contributions to meeting discussions is essential, as is an ability to write cogent memos and e-mail correspondence)
• Self-starter
• Organized
• Detail-oriented

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

Office Depot and OfficeMax offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunity to move and grow within our organization! For immediate consideration for this exciting position, please click the Apply Now button.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Office Depot 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.

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