The Merchandise Manager, Home is responsible for the execution of merchandising strategies and the financial performance of assigned Home categories. Home represents a significant growth opportunity and strategic area of investment for Harry & David, with plans to expand the assortment, strengthen customer engagement, and build a differentiated position within the gifting and entertaining space. This role will play an active part in helping shape and execute that vision through category development, assortment planning, product innovation, and business management.
The Merchandise Manager manages product assortments, pricing, promotional strategies, inventory productivity, and vendor relationships to achieve sales, margin, and profitability objectives. This role actively monitors business performance, customer trends, and competitive activity to identify opportunities, address risks, and support category growth. Working closely with Product Development, Planning, Marketing, Creative, and Sourcing, the Merchandise Manager helps deliver compelling assortments that meet customer needs while supporting long-term business objectives and accelerating growth within the Home category.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILIITIES
Major responsibilities of the position are listed below. To perform the job successfully, the individual must be able to execute each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties, assignments, and specific projects may be assigned at the discretion of management.
- Manage financial performance of assigned categories, including sales, margin, profitability, and inventory productivity.
- Develop and execute seasonal assortment plans that support approved category strategies and business objectives.
- Analyze customer trends, competitive activity, and business performance to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Partner with Product Development to build innovative, trend-right assortments that align with customer needs and brand positioning.
- Manage product pricing, promotional activities, and lifecycle decisions to maximize sales and profitability.
- Monitor inventory performance and partner with Planning and Supply Chain teams to support forecast accuracy and inventory health.
- Evaluate in-season business performance and recommend actions to achieve sales and margin targets.
- Establish and maintain productive relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
- Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Creative, Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations teams to execute merchandising initiatives.
- Prepare business reviews, forecasts, and recommendations for merchandising leadership.
- Support new product launches and category growth initiatives.
- Mentor and provide guidance to Associate Merchants or Merchandising Assistants, as applicable.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, Retail Management, Marketing, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive merchandising, buying, category management, or product development experience.
- Experience managing assortments and delivering sales, margin, and inventory objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze business trends, customer insights, and inventory metrics to drive sound merchandising decisions.
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with Planning, Marketing, Creative, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Finance teams.
- Strong financial and analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong presentation and communication skills.
- Experience within specialty retail, direct-to-consumer, home, lifestyle, gifting, or seasonal consumer product categories preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to execute each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.
KNOWLEDGE
Merchandising & Category Management
- Assortment Planning & Product Selection
- Pricing & Promotional Strategy
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Consumer Trend Analysis
- Vendor & Supplier Management
Financial & Analytical Skills
- Sales & Margin Analysis
- Forecasting & Inventory Management
- Business Performance Evaluation
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Leadership & Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Partnership
- Project Management
- Communication & Presentation Skills
- Organizational Agility
- Results Orientation
Professional Effectiveness
- Strategic Thinking
- Critical Problem Solving
- Adaptability
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORK EFFORT
- Keying/typing, sitting, standing, walking.
- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Constant mental and/or visual attention; the work is either repetitive or diversified requiring constant alertness in an office and retail environment.
- The job is typically performed under comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of the job.
- Compliance with company attendance standards.
- FLSA status: Salaried, Exempt.