Online Merchant

**Position Purpose**:
The Online Merchant will be responsible for executing the merchandise programs in an effort to represent our retail assortment, extend our aisles and assess complimentary categories on Homedepot.ca. The Online Merchant will be expected to work closely with the respective merchants to best leverage the web to grow overall division traffic and sales. Additionally, the Online Merchant will be responsible for vendor selection, contract and price negotiation, product line reviews, and assortment optimization. The role will be responsible for logístical planning through our DC network, product forecasting, marketing planning and overall profitability of their categories.

**Position Responsibilities**:

- Source the product (consistent with the online and corporate sourcing strategy) and negotiate with suppliers the best possible terms and conditions to achieve business goals.
- Evaluate e-commerce activity and develop merchandising plans to deliver sales and margin plans and improve site traffic and online sales penetration overall.
- Contribute to product presentation on the website both in terms of customer navigation path and content on the product information page. Help identify digital opportunities that better represent merchandise categories and products with a result of driving traffic/sales online and/or in-store.
- Strive for and develop integrated buying processes with retail merchants. Constantly evolve the multichannel partnership to achieve set business goals.
- Provide statistical and financial analysis of merchandise sales performance and profitability via interpretation of weekly and monthly reports/statistics. Refine direction to achieve sales targets as a result of analysis.
- Incorporate e-Business strategies and opportunities throughout THD enterprise. Work with and direct the creative marketing team making decisions regarding web-site content and layout.
- Develop & execute strategies on product assortment including analysis of which products are transactional and which are view only.
- Interact with vendors and retail merchants to insure that we are merchandising the site to drive retail sales, promotions and new product introductions. Identify, develop and deploy new merchandising avenues to drive sales on line and in our stores.
- Provide business and industry analysis of consumer trends and understand the competitive landscape online
- Manage vendor performance and portfolio reviews. Manage vendor product content, line reviews, and product selection to ensure that assortment supports the merchandising strategy, sales targets, and meets quality control standards.
- Evaluate industry wide trends and competitive landscape.
- Coordinate with essential support functions: Logistics/Fulfillment/Inventory managers, Finance, Marketing, User Experience (UX), etc.
- Typically requires overnight travel 5% to 10% of the time.

**Experience/Knowledge Required**:

- Must meet minimum time-in-position (1 year) and performance management code requirements M+
- Education Required - The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job. An MBA would be an asset.
- Years of Relevant Work Experience - 8
- 2-3 Years of merchandising experience required
- Proven business acumen (Finance, Marketing/Sales, Operations)
- Interactive Marketing and e-Business experience an asset
- Proven leadership skills (people development, project management, builds strong relationships)
- Strong sales driver for new and existing opportunities
- Vendor management (negotiation, driving innovation)
- High level of product knowledge/expertise. Champions creative and innovative thinking.
- Analytical skills - ability to interpret data, identify trends and develop action plans to grow comp sales and improve profitability.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills. Able to lead and accomplish work through others.
- Strong planning and organization skills. Maintains a sense of urgency and able to manage multiple projects and schedule demands.
- Customer centric - sees the business through the eyes of the customer.
- Interactive Marketing and e-Business experience an asset
- Proven leadership skills (people development, project management, builds strong relationships)
- Strong sales driver for new and existing opportunities
- Vendor management (negotiation, driving innovation)
- High level of product knowledge/expertise. Champions creative and innovative thinking.
- Analytical skills - ability to interpret data, identify trends and develop action plans to grow comp sales and improve profitability.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills. Able to lead and accomplish work through others.
- Strong planning and organization skills. Maintains a sense of urgency and able to manage multiple projects and schedule demands.
- Customer centric - sees the business through the eyes of the customer.