Staples is on a multi-year transformation to lead the future of work, learning, and small business solutions. The S
enior Director of Merchandising, Omni-Channel Office Supplies & Pack-and-Ship plays a pivotal leadership role in this evolution-owning the end-to-end merchandising strategy and financial performance of a core, high-visibility business while reimagining how these categories show up for customers across stores, digital, and integrated omni experiences.
This role is designed for a challenge-motivated leader who thrives in complexity and change, with the vision and resilience to modernize a mature category while unlocking new sources of growth. The Senior Director will lead through transformation-balancing near-term performance delivery with longer-term innovation in assortment strategy, services, sourcing, vendor partnerships, and customer experience.
This role is a P&L-critical leadership position, responsible for driving traffic, sales, margin, inventory productivity, and customer relevance through data-driven assortment strategies, best-in-class vendor partnerships, and seamless omni execution. Reporting to the VP/GMM, the Senior Director will lead and develop a high-performing team of category merchants and product specialists while serving as a key thought partner to cross-functional leaders in Marketing, Supply Chain, Stores, Digital, Inventory Management, and Planning. Success in this role requires intellectual curiosity, a strong point of view on the future of the category, and a relentless drive to innovate-leveraging customer insight, data, and cross-functional collaboration to create differentiated, omni-channel solutions that fuel Staples' next chapter of growth.
Our people are the heart of our success, and we believe in collaboration, curiosity, and continuous learning in all that we think, create and do. We are investing in our people and our stores, empowering our people to learn, grow and deliver. Come be a part of a team that's leading the way in a new era of working and living.
Key Responsibilities:
Customer-
Led Strategy & Growth
- Own and articulate a clear, compelling Omni merchandising vision grounded in deep customer insight, shopping behavior, and category and market trends across B2C and Small Business segments.
- Translate customer needs into market-leading merchandising strategies across assortment, pricing, promotion, presentation, and associate engagement.
- Drive relevance in a mature and evolving category by identifying adjacent growth opportunities, innovation, and service-led differentiation (e.g., Pack & Ship solutions).
Financial Ownership & Business Planning
- Develop and lead seasonal and annual business plans that deliver against sales, margin, inventory turns, and total cost-to-serve targets.
- Proactively identify risks and opportunities; rapidly adapt strategies in response to performance trends, competitive dynamics, and supply chain constraints.
- Develop and approve forecasts, assortment plans, lifecycle management, and liquidation strategies in partnership with Planning and Inventory teams.
- Ensure disciplined execution that consistently delivers revenue, adjusted margin, cash flow, and inventory productivity.
Assortment, Vendor & Negotiation Leadership
- Own assortment architecture and vendor strategy across owned brands and national brands.
- Lead expert-level negotiations to improve total delivered cost, rebates, allowances, funding, and long-term partnership value.
- Drive supplier accountability while fostering innovation, supply chain optimization, and shared growth initiatives.
- Champion product and program innovation that enhances customer experience and profitability.
Omni-
Channel & Digital Excellence
- Develop and execute an inspiring and frictionless Omni channel shopping experience to drive conversion, average order value, and customer satisfaction.
- Ensure assortments, content, and programs are optimized for store, online, and omni-fulfillment models.
- Partner with Digital and Marketing teams to leverage site merchandising, search, conversion, and traffic insights to improve performance.
- Build category strategies that seamlessly integrate physical and digital shopping journeys.
Cross-
Functional Leadership & Influence
- Serve as a senior thought partner across Marketing, Promotions, Stores, Supply Chain, Digital, Inventory Management, and Finance.
- Communicate category strategies and performance with clarity and confidence to executive leadership.
- Identify process gaps, champion best practices, and lead change to improve speed, quality, and scalability of merchandising execution.
Talent Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Product Specialists and Category Merchants at all levels.
- Build bench strength through mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business or similar field required
- 12+ years of progressive merchandising leadership experience, including buying, category management, planning, and inventory management.
- Proven success owning complex categories with significant P&L responsibility.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing merchandising teams.
- Strong financial acumen; expert in forecasting, margin management, and inventory productivity.
- Advanced negotiation skills with senior-level vendor partners.
- Omni-channel merchandising experience (store + digital).
Preferred
- Experience in Office Supplies, Services, Hardlines, or Adjacent Consumable Categories.
- Deep understanding of site merchandising, digital KPIs, and omni-fulfillment models.
- Track record of leading transformation, modernization, or turnaround initiatives.
- Executive presence with the ability to influence at the highest levels.
- Expert knowledge of industry trends, completion, assortment planning, planograms, customer buying patterns, inventory management, logistics and marketing techniques.
About Us
The world of working and learning has changed. This is your opportunity to be a part of a brand transformation and growth strategy within the retail industry. Staples is helping our customers and community discover innovative products, services, and inspiration that unlock what's possible, while empowering you to unlock your potential. Our people are the heart of our success and there has never been a better time to join us as we lead the way in a new era of working and learning.
Want to learn more about Staples Stores? Visit
RetailCareers.Staples.com for information and to learn about our career opportunities.
Click here to learn more about the employee benefits, programs and perks offered at Staples!
Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Staples is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 1-888-490-4747 for more information.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act; as well as with any other state and local Fair Chance Ordinance/Act regulations.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.