Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Merchandising Operations - Senior Manager

AT CVS Health
CVS Health

Merchandising Operations - Senior Manager

Woonsocket, RI

At CVS Health, we're building a world of health around every consumer and surrounding ourselves with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about transforming health care.As the nation's leading health solutions company, we reach millions of Americans through our local presence, digital channels and more than 300,000 purpose-driven colleagues - caring for people where, when and how they choose in a way that is uniquely more connected, more convenient and more compassionate. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.The Merch Ops, Business Acceleration team develops and recommends strategies to improve business performance by working closely with Merchandising leadership in analyzing market trends and dynamics, vendor/brand economics and productivities, customer loyalty, and related assortment optimization opportunities. The team leverages strategic sourcing and vendor negotiation tactics to bolster the impact of strategic recommendations and incrementally improve business outcomes.The Senior Manager, Merch Ops will lead a team of 1-3 analysts and is charged with developing and driving a portfolio of strategy and profit improvement initiatives in partnership with Category Managers and Category Management leadership. Generally, Senior Managers oversee the Strategy and Profit Improvement project execution plan for 6-10 Categories within a Business Unit (~half of a BU's Categories). The Senior Manager will report to the Director overseeing the total Business Unit and will assist in annual prioritization of his or her Business Unit's initiatives within the context of the overall initiative.

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Woonsocket, RI delivered to your inbox every week.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.


Primary Responsibilities:
  • Develop and drive a portfolio of strategy and profit improvement initiatives
  • Build and develop a high-performing Category Strategy & Profit Improvement team
  • Lead the team to identify sales, cost, and profit opportunities across SKUs and vendors through rigorous analysis and research, including: assessment of SKU/Vendor/Brand/Promotional incrementality, competitive benchmarking (space, brands, SKUs), market insights, customer insights (eg, surveys, Customer analytics), vendor insight (cost structures, motivations), and extensive SKU/brand/vendor-level analysis (relative productivity, profitability, brand loyalty, transferability, etc.)
  • Oversee the development of analytical materials to be shared internally during category reviews and assortment discussions with the Merchandising team
  • Oversee the development of "Ask" materials to be shared with vendors during negotiations
  • Provide direct vendor negotiations support to Merchants, including serving as lead negotiator where warranted
  • Manage sourcing tools and processes (e.g. RFPs, eAuctions) to ensure selection of best vendors for Store Brand and other commoditized products (considering cost, quality, value, availability, etc)
  • Enhance and enforce documentation, archiving, and audit processes for agreements with vendors
  • Assist in the development of annual plans and budgets for category strategy & profit improvement, working with the Merchandising leadership team
  • Work on special projects, ad hoc analysis, and initiatives related to assortment performance and cost reduction and management
Successful Candidates will exhibit:
  • Excellence in managing, developing, and leading a team
  • Intense interest in learning new things and intellectual curiosity
  • Outstanding analytical and problem solving skills
  • Ability to present to senior management with poise and credibility
  • Ability to communicate effectively and succinctly, both verbally and in writing via Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Ability to conduct complex quantitative analysis and build analytical models using Microsoft Excel
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines
  • Ability to develop effective working relationships with Merchandising Directors and VPs
  • Ability to work independently and adapt to changing work priorities
  • An open and honest communication style that quickly builds trust and respect
  • The candidate selected for this position will be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who is intellectually curious with a demonstrated interest in learning. This person will also need to be a self-motivated, entrepreneurial, high-energy individual who can easily function in a high demand, performance-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Merchandising expertise - strong understanding of retail merchandising basics (ie, category management), and merchandising organizational structures and processes
  • Mastery of Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
Minimum Requirements:
  • Education: Four-year college degree; MBA strongly preferred; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and/or other quantitative analytical degree a plus
  • Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience, part of experience must be in either management consulting or retail/CPG - with strong preference towards management consulting for a top tier firm. Specific experience in retail category management, CPG, vendor management, or sourcing a strong plus
Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:$82,940.00 - $182,549.40

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company's equity award program.Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.Great benefits for great peopleWe take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits - investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:
  • Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
  • No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
  • Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.
For more information, visit https://jobs.cvshealth.com/us/en/benefitsWe anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 03/31/2025Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.

Client-provided location(s): Woonsocket, RI 02895, USA
Job ID: CVS-R0448020
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
  • Parental Benefits

    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K) With Company Matching
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program