Director, Merchandising

COMPANY
Mercana is one of North America’s leading home furnishings wholesalers, with interior designer and retail partners around the globe. As a “design-first” company, we produce unique pieces for the home each season including items such as wall art, furniture, lighting and home decor accessories.

OVERVIEW
The Director of Merchandising (Store & Design Channel), reporting to the President, is a strategic leader responsible the merchandising efforts in our retail storefront and design trade sales channels. This role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for design, a strong understanding of consumer and product trends, and the ability to develop and execute compelling merchandising, sales, and marketing programs that drive business growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership:

- Develops, with leadership and other stakeholders a strategy for driving Mercana’s business across the retail storefront and design trade business through campaigns, promotions and other programmatic activity.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of merchandising professionals.
- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for Mercana’s category positioning with customers within the channel.

Program Development:

- Develop and implement compelling merchandising programs, campaigns, and promotions that drive sales and customer engagement with the retail storefront and design trade channels.
- Collaborate closely with the marketing team to align merchandising initiatives with overall marketing strategies and brand objectives.

Category Strategy:

- Develop and execute category strategies for retail stores and design trade channels, including assortment planning, product selection, and pricing strategies.
- Collaborates closely with the sales teams to understand customer needs to tailor programs for maximum return.
- Work closely with the Product Management and Supply Chain team to identify opportunities to grow or optimize the business through Product Development or supply chain efficiencies.

Demand Planning & Inventory Allocation:

- Lead demand planning activities for retail storefront and design trade channels, including demand forecasting at the item, category and customer level.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between merchandising, sales, and supply chain operations.
- Develop and implement customer inventory allocation strategies to ensure optimal product availability and service levels for retail and design customers.
- Collaborate with the sales and supply chain teams to build import and supply chain programs that lower costs and improve availability for customers on key merchandise.

Market Trends and Insights:

- Stay abreast of market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscape to inform merchandising strategies and new product development initiatives.
- Leverage market insights to identify emerging opportunities and develop innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Design, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Proven experience in merchandising leadership roles, with a focus on retail stores and design trade channels.
- Strong understanding of consumer trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape in the home decor industry.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute effective merchandising strategies.
- Proficiency in demand planning, category management, and program development. Creative mindset with a passion for design and innovation.
-If you are a self-motivated professional seeking a rewarding opportunity to excel in the furniture distribution and retail sector, we want to hear from you. Join our team at Mercana and become part of a dynamic and customer-focused organization that values innovation and teamwork.

To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your relevant experience and accomplishments. We appreciate all applicants' interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Mercana is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment for all employees.