Associate Category Merchant- Quill

Quill is a valuable part of the Staples family of brands. Since 1956, Quill has held its position as a leader in office supplies.

Acquired by Staples in 1998, Quill delivers the essential services, solutions, and award-winning customer support to help our customers – and our people – thrive. When you partner with Quill, as a customer or as an associate, every workday is more rewarding. 

From paper, ink & toner, to technology and custom print, we deliver the right products at the right value, plus an unmatched assortment of over 900 instant rewards available with every order.

What you’ll be doing: 

• Develop and execute strategic business plans for assigned product lines, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Manage all aspects of the product lifecycle, including assortment planning, vendor selection, negotiation, financial planning, inventory management, and merchandise presentation.
• Collaborate with the Category Merchant, Senior Category Merchant or Director of Merchandising to implement strategies that drive sales, margin, and competitive differentiation.
• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the online shopping experience, leveraging customer insights and data to optimize revenue and utilization of selling tools (search results, browse paths, accessories, product attributes, etc.)
• Contribute to the development and execution of promotional go-to-market strategies, planning key product promotions to increase traffic and provide incremental sales and margin.
• Negotiate effectively with vendors to secure cooperative funding and favorable terms.
• Stay informed about market trends, external factors, and internal financial data to identify 
• opportunities and potential risks.
• Interpret and communicate findings from financial reports and data, making informed decisions to drive positive outcomes.
• Provide clear direction and guidance to team members, ensuring successful execution of key initiatives.
• Develop product line pricing strategy with support from Pricing team.

What you bring to the table: 

• General knowledge of industry trends, assortment planning, customer buying patterns, inventory management, logistics and marketing techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building relationships, negotiating effectively, and collaborating cross-functionally.
• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation, leveraging insights to make informed decisions and guide product line management.
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with particularly strong Excel skills and the ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets.

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 3 years total experience in buying related functions (merchandising, buying, planning, inventory management).
• Experience in online merchandising strategies and practices.
• Basic knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint with proficiency in Access a plus.
• Basic knowledge of PowerBI, Access or related a plus.

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and relationship-building.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups 
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays) 
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!