Job Summary

The primary responsibility of the Director of Merchandising is to lead the strategic initiatives of high-value business projects within the merchandising organization. The role support Lowe's Pro Supply which is a subsidiary of Lowe's This role will execute a merchandising strategy that delivers a compelling value proposition for both traditional and new customer segments. This position works closely with cross-functional teams including suppliers, Sales, Operations, Marketing, Lowe's Core Retail Merchandising, and other corporate functions to ensure the product assortment supplied to the customer is differentiated and will drive sales and revenue growth. This position builds brand equity and profitability by maintaining a deep understanding of the MRO customer's current and future. The Director of Merchandising is responsible for selecting, developing and engaging high performing and diverse individuals and teams.

• Collaborates with suppliers, Sales, Operations, Marketing, Lowe's Merchandising, and other corporate functions to deliver product assortments that meet customer needs and expectations.
• Create merchandising assortment strategies aligned to the core business strategy and customer focus. Clearly articulate the strategy to cross-functional leaders and to the merchandising team for implementation/execution.
• Identifies business opportunities based on analysis of trends, customer research, competitors, supplier relationships, and sets assortment accordingly.
• Translates innovative merchandising strategies into actions that drive revenue growth and create a differentiated market position that fulfills unmet customer needs.
• Articulates the value proposition and merchandising vision to his/her team and facilitates the achievement of short- and long-term goals.
• Ensures profitability by driving a customer-focused merchandising strategy through management of merchandise selection and assortment planning.
• Aids in decision making concerning product assortment, merchandising, pricing, and promotion and reviews and approves plans
• Reviews assortments for balance, quality, and adherence to strategic and financial objectives.
• Drives compliance and standards with process, policies, and tools.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the trends, preferences, and drivers of the various MRO customer segments in order to develop merchandise action plans that serve traditional clientele while also attracting and retaining new customer segments.
• Converts customer insights and research, historical data, sales data, and principles of segmentation into clear plans with achievable objectives that build brand equity and contribute positively to business outcomes;
• Maintains market vigilance, anticipates changes, and develops contingency plans based on customer trends and business needs;
• Develops relationships, negotiates, and leverages the Lowe's brand with vendors to ensure availability, timely delivery, and competitive pricing of merchandise.
• Provides guidance and direction to team members, including setting performance standards, monitoring team members' progress, and sponsoring and leading them through significant change.
• Inspires productivity by establishing a clear vision, maintaining two-way communication, and distributing the workload in a planful and organized manner.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field
• 8 - 10 years' experience in merchandising and leading cross-functional teams to achieve P&L
• Keen understanding of merchandising processes and support functions to include brand, category and product line management
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to create linkages between various functions in and outside of merchandising
• Acute analytical and reasoning skills
• Results driven with the ability to work through ambiguous business problems and identify resolution
• Ability to travel up to up to 30% of the time