Director, 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, working together across 1,500 pet care centers, 250 Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, eight distribution centers and two support centers.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking merchandise strategy that aligns with company objectives, market trends, and customer demands.
• Lead the creation of multi-year assortment plans that encompass product selection, pricing strategies, and market positioning.
• Lead and inspire a team of merchandise directors, managers, analysts, and buyers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide mentorship, and drive continuous growth and development.
• Drive strategic assortment decisions through rigorous data analysis, incorporating sales data, market insights, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product innovation and differentiation in alignment with customer needs.
• Foster and maintain strategic relationships with vendors and suppliers, negotiating optimal terms, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities.
• Ensure vendor compliance, performance management, and alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee the development of complex purchase plans that balance demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and sales targets.
• Collaborate closely with inventory management teams to ensure efficient inventory turnover and minimize stock-related issues.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior to shape merchandise decisions and identify emerging opportunities.
• Utilize data-driven insights to recommend strategic adjustments to pricing, promotions, and product assortment.
• Partner with executive leadership, marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain teams to ensure merchandise strategies align with overall business objectives.
• Communicate effectively to drive alignment on assortment plans, promotional activities, and product launches.
• Collaborate with finance teams to establish and manage merchandise budgets that align with financial targets and forecasts.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Extensive experience in retail merchandising, with a strong track record of leading and shaping merchandise strategies in omni-channel environments.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing large teams and driving organizational growth.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies.
• Strong negotiation skills and vendor relationship management experience.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Outstanding organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and strategic influencing abilities.
• Deep understanding of retail industry trends, market dynamics, and consumer behavior.

Note: Current responsibilities are impacted by company and team priorities that may have evolved from what is displayed in the Workday job profile. The description provides general job duties and requirements, but the partner’s manager may assign additional responsibilities or tasks depending on business needs.

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Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.

The pay range(s) below are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

/ year

Exact rate of pay will be based on position, location, and experience level. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

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