Senior Merchandising Manager, Specialty Foods (Gourmet)

The Senior Merchandising Manager at Harry & David is responsible for the strategic direction, assortment architecture, and financial performance of an assigned category portfolio. This role develops and executes long-term merchandising strategies that drive sales, margin, profitability, and market share growth while actively monitoring real-time business performance, consumer trends, and competitive dynamics to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and adjust plans as needed. The Senior Merchandising Director leads category planning, product innovation, pricing, inventory productivity, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver forecast commitments and achieve enterprise objectives.

 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 executive management:

• Own category strategy and financial performance, including sales, margin, profitability, inventory productivity, and market share
• Define and execute long-range product assortment strategies that support company growth objectives
• Lead marketplace, consumer, and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and inform category direction
• Direct seasonal assortment planning, product development priorities, and lifecycle management across assigned categories
• Partner with Product Development, Marketing, Planning, Supply Chain, Creative, and Finance to deliver enterprise objectives
• Evaluate category performance and implement actions to maximize revenue, profitability, and customer engagement
• Establish forecasting and inventory strategies that align with financial targets.
• Build and maintain key vendor and supplier partnerships
• Lead, coach, and develop merchandising team members
• Present category strategies, business results, and recommendations to executive leadership

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• B.A. Degree in Merchandising, Retail Management preferred
• 10+ years of progressive merchandising, category management, buying, or product development experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
• Experience developing and executing category strategies that deliver sales, margin, profitability, and inventory objectives
• Demonstrated success managing a category or business portfolio with accountability for revenue and financial performance
• Proven ability to analyze sales trends, customer insights, competitive dynamics, and inventory metrics to inform strategic decisions and drive business results
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience partnering with Product Development, Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, Creative, and Finance teams
• Experience presenting business strategies, forecasts, and performance results to senior leadership
• Preferred experience within specialty retail, direct-to-consumer, food gifting, home, lifestyle, or other highly seasonal consumer product categories

• Strategic Category Leadership 
• Assortment Planning & Product Lifecycle Management
• Forecasting & Inventory Optimization
• Consumer Trend Analysis & Market Insights
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Influence
• Vendor & Supplier Management
• Executive Communication & Presentation Skills
• Agility in Managing In-Season Business Performance

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, internal equity, and other factors permitted by law.

To support our commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer comprehensive and competitive health, wellness, and additional benefits to eligible full-time team members. Benefit eligibility may vary based on location, average hours worked, and length of service.

*Exact benefit terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements are governed by official plan documents and applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate benefit plans and programs at any time.

• B.A. Degree in Merchandising, Retail Management preferred
• 10+ years of progressive merchandising, category management, buying, or product development experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
• Experience developing and executing category strategies that deliver sales, margin, profitability, and inventory objectives
• Demonstrated success managing a category or business portfolio with accountability for revenue and financial performance
• Proven ability to analyze sales trends, customer insights, competitive dynamics, and inventory metrics to inform strategic decisions and drive business results
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience partnering with Product Development, Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, Creative, and Finance teams
• Experience presenting business strategies, forecasts, and performance results to senior leadership
• Preferred experience within specialty retail, direct-to-consumer, food gifting, home, lifestyle, or other highly seasonal consumer product categories
• Strategic Category Leadership 
• Assortment Planning & Product Lifecycle Management
• Forecasting & Inventory Optimization
• Consumer Trend Analysis & Market Insights
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Influence
• Vendor & Supplier Management
• Executive Communication & Presentation Skills
• Agility in Managing In-Season Business Performance