Sr Category Merchant-Writing, Post-it, and Business Tools & Essentials (Hybrid) Framingham, MA

Staples is focused on our customer and our community. We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Category Merchant to own and accelerate our Writing, Post-it, and Business Tools & Essentials Categories across our entire U.S. Retail Stores (USR) and Staples.com omnichannel business.

This is a critical, high-impact role responsible for achieving multi-million-dollar financial objectives by designing and executing a customer-centric, end-to-end strategy. 

Merchandising is a key strategic pillar of growth for Staples Retail, and Staples.com and this role is critical to accelerating change and super-charging this high-potential business. Our people are the heart of our success and we believe in collaboration, curiosity and continuous learning in all that we think, create and do. We are investing in our people, our website, and our stores, empowering our people to learn, grow and deliver. Come be a part of a team that's leading the way in a new era of working and living.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Financial Leadership-

• P&L Ownership: Develop and execute a realistic and effective business plan to achieve budgeted goals in sales, margin, and inventory turn. Execute that plan to deliver financial results.
• Strategic Communication: Develop, execute, and effectively communicate category strategy to the highest levels of the company, ensuring plans align with company strategic objectives.
• Customer Insight: Acquire a deep understanding of customer needs through research and field feedback to inspire assortment and marketing strategy.

Assortment Planning & Execution-

• Omnichannel Assortment: Choose the optimal product assortment and select vendors to create an appropriate and seamless customer experience in-store and online (Staples.com).
• Vendor Relations & Costing: Negotiate for the lowest total delivered cost, volume incentives, rebates, advertising, and other applicable allowances.
• Supply Chain Management: Merchandise assigned line(s) to ensure high service levels with minimum inventory investment, maximizing gross margin and effectively managing total supply chain impact through logistics knowledge.

Cross-Functional & People Leadership-

• Lead & Develop: Manage and develop direct reports (e.g., Merchandise Specialists), including coaching, performance reviews, and career planning.
• Drive Alignment: Effectively partner and influence key cross-functional partners, including Pricing, Site Merchandising, Marketing, Portfolio, and Inventory + Planning, to drive category results.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree (B.S. or B.A.).
• Experience: Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in buying, merchandising, or category management.
• Leadership Experience: Proven experience managing and developing direct reports (e.g., Associate Merchants or Assistant Merchants), including coaching, performance reviews, and career planning.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated expertise in managing P&L responsibilities and owning the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process.
• Negotiation: Advanced negotiation skills and a proven ability to lead and succeed in a matrix environment.
• Market Knowledge: Expert, industry-specific knowledge of trends, competition, products, customer behaviors, inventory management, logistics, and marketing techniques.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Analysis: Demonstrated in-depth knowledge in advanced financial analysis and forecasting.
• Strategic Partnership: Proven ability to build strategic partnerships across the organization and with vendors at the highest levels.
• B2B Context: Experience in Business-to-Business Merchandising or related Product Management/Brand Management function supporting a sales organization.

Get Great Perks.

• Generous amount of paid time off and bonus plan.
• 401(k) plan with a company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, and many more benefits.
• On-site, discounted amenities at our Framingham, MA corporate office, including childcare, a fitness center, and dry cleaners.
• Associate store discount and more perks (discounts on mobile plans, movie tickets, etc.).

The world of working and learning has changed. This is your opportunity to be a part of a brand transformation and growth strategy within the retail industry. Staples is helping our customers and community discover innovative products, services, and inspiration that unlock what’s possible, while empowering you to unlock your potential. Our people are the heart of our success and there has never been a better time to join us as we lead the way in a new era of working and learning.

Want to learn more about Staples Stores? Visit RetailCareers.Staples.com for information and to learn about our career opportunities.

Click here to learn more about the employee benefits, programs and perks offered at Staples! 

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.  
Staples is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 1-888-490-4747 for more information.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act; as well as with any other state and local Fair Chance Ordinance/Act regulations.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.