Merchandiser - Housewares

Sears is committed to improving the lives of our customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships. We are proud of our diverse, high-performance team work environment and we strive for continuous improvement through keen focus on growth, effectiveness and a sense of urgency. Individuals who are driven to earn our customers' trust and business every day, who act with integrity, who treat everyone fairly and value diversity, and who are accountable for their actions are welcome to show interest in becoming a member of our winning team.

The Merchandiser is responsible for the overall management and direction of merchandising and marketing in the business. Leverages the existing market, vendor organization to develop assortments. Develops sourcing of new products not currently in FLS, that are appropriate for our off-mall customer while building and maintaining vendor relationships. Views the consumer and the store as the customer and strives to provide a fabulous shopping experience through their product offering.

Qualifications
- Builds productive relationships with the Home Store merchant organization to ensure successful coordination and integration of all merchandise activities.
- Supports the development of customer driven assortment plans for their assigned product lines and partners with the FLS merchant organization to ensure that the FLS product category assortments meet the needs of the Sears Store customer.
- Accountable for sales, margin and inventory performance for assigned vendor managed product categories.
- Monitors and responds to issues and opportunities resulting from deviations in plan variances.
- Works with the respective FLS Merchandising organization to maximize and ensure achievement of business sales, profit, gross margin and turnover plans.
- Works with the FLS Buying Team to manage all aspect of the merchandise offering for assigned product lines specific to the format including the selection of goods.
- Maintains relationships with vendors and interacts with the vendor community within Sears standards and codes of ethics.
- Analyzes and evaluates prior season/year-end results to identify future sales trends and opportunities. Plays an active role in business reviews.
- Completes accurate business forecasts by evaluating financial information, current trends and anticipated market changes.
- Continuously tracks business performance by line against sale, gross margin, turnover, and profit plans. Monitors and responds to issues and opportunities resulting from deviations in plan variances.
- Maintains knowledge base of industry and competitor market trends.
- Participates in Assortment, Line and Business Review meetings
- Determines appropriate outposts floor space (end caps, bulk stacks, etc.) needs for assigned category and allocates to FLS buying teams as appropriate.
- Develops product presentations and communication plans for assigned product lines.
- Partners with the buying and assortment planning teams to develop and implement assortment plans that address market specific needs.
- Determines assortments by market to ensure customer relevancy
- Partners with the Business Marketing Planner by representing the format in candidate meetings and monitoring promotional effectiveness for the business.
- Integrates with marketing on building effective advertising and promotional display to support the business.
- Obtains samples and provides direction during advertising turn-ins and proofing.
- Works with the FLS planning organizations to develop a comprehensive pre-season, in-season, semi-annual, monthly and weekly business financial plans and forecasts.
- Partners with the planning and placement organization.
- Monitors inventory performance against plan (and product life cycle) and ensures that both growth and liquidation strategies for the business are in place to maximize inventory performance.
- Works with the assortment planning team to develop customer driven assortment plans and presentation standards.
- Serves as the field gatekeeper for all merchandise related activities not supported by the FLS organizations.

Skill/Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a four year college or university; or two to three years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination.
- Effectively builds relationships at all levels. Ability to influence and get work done through non-report directs.
- Retail store experience and strong understanding of retail-related selling and/or retail operating environment.
- Strong understanding of buying, assorting, placement, merchandising and operational processes.
- Track record of success in helping to solve significant business problems
- Experience utilizing process leadership to drive standardization and improvement in business results
- Practical problem-solving and thinking skills
- 5+ years of combined experience in merchandise management, buying, store operations and general management in retail.

Benefits
As a Sears professional, your career path options will be determined by your performance as well as your desire to advance further within the Sears organization. You'll also get some of the best benefits in the industry: -Medical, Dental and Legal Plans -Flexible Spending Accounts -Associate Discounts -Group Universal Life Insurance -Long-Term Disability Insurance -Long-Term Care Insurance -Business Travel Accident Insurance -Short-Term Disability -Vacation/Personal and National Holidays -WorkLife Solutions Please Note: Different eligibility rules apply to certain benefits. Some businesses do not offer all benefits shown.


Sears is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.