Associate Merchant- Chocolate, Gum and Mints

Category Merchandising Assistant

The principal purpose of this position is to support the Category Director and Category Merchants by providing assistance with all merchandising business processes for all banners and channels (including assortment development, execution of the merchandising strategy, and implementing merchandising plans for Dollar Tree stores).

Essential activities and responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing analysis and research to assist in the development of the Category Strategy
• Consulted on the assortment definition and product selection for their respective Category.
• Responsible for providing analysis and research to assist in the definition of the assortment.
• Consulted on product development activities for their respective Category.
• Responsible for evaluating vendor performance and recommending sources of supply to the Category Merchant and Category Director.
• Responsible for preparing analysis and reporting to support vendor meetings.
• Consulted on the identification of new sources of supply, preparation for overseas buying trips, vendor selection, and cost negotiations.
• Consulted on all financial and assortment planning activities for their respective Category.
• Responsible for development and approval of all plan-o-guides, display guides, flow guides, and planners for their respective Category.
• Responsible for developing copy and text in support of Marketing for Category product.
• Consulted on the management of vendor relationships within their respective Category.
• Provide input to the selection of products from their respective Category to be included in a promotional program. Consulted on activities to ensure the products are appropriately represented in a promotion.
• Provide input to the Weekly Business Reviews and Monthly P&L of their respective Category. Consulted on potential Merchandising business and systems improvement initiatives.

Education & experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 1-3 years of related Merchandise/Buying experience
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Spreadsheet and word processing skills
• Detail oriented
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to work independently.
• Retail/discount merchandising experience preferred.
• Creativity
• Ability to build strong relationships and work well within a team.