Staples, Inc Hiring for Associate Category Merchant Quill at Lake County Full Time NEW

Location: Lincolnshire

Quill is a valuable part of the Staples family of brands. Since 1956, Quill has held its position as a leader in office supplies.

Acquired by Staples in 1998, Quill delivers the essential services, solutions, and award-winning customer support to help our customers – and our people – thrive. When you partner with Quill, as a customer or as an associate, every workday is more rewarding.

From paper, ink & toner, to technology and custom print, we deliver the right products at the right value, plus an unmatched assortment of over 900 instant rewards available with every order.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and execute strategic business plans for assigned product lines, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Manage all aspects of the product lifecycle, including assortment planning, vendor selection, negotiation, financial planning, inventory management, and merchandise presentation.
• Collaborate with the Category Merchant, Senior Category Merchant or Director of Merchandising to implement strategies that drive sales, margin, and competitive differentiation.
• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the online shopping experience, leveraging customer insights and data to optimize revenue and utilization of selling tools (search results, browse paths, accessories, product attributes, etc.)
• Contribute to the development and execution of promotional go-to-market strategies, planning key product promotions to increase traffic and provide incremental sales and margin.
• Negotiate effectively with vendors to secure cooperative funding and favorable terms.
• Stay informed about market trends, external factors, and internal financial data to identify
• opportunities and potential risks.
• Interpret and communicate findings from financial reports and data, making informed decisions to drive positive outcomes.
• Provide clear direction and guidance to team members, ensuring successful execution of key initiatives.
• Develop product line pricing strategy with support from Pricing team.

What you bring to the table:

• General knowledge of industry trends, assortment planning, customer buying patterns, inventory management, logistics and marketing techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building relationships, negotiating effectively, and collaborating cross-functionally.
• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation, leveraging insights to make informed decisions and guide product line management.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with particularly strong Excel skills and the ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets.

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years total experience in buying related functions (merchandising, buying, planning, inventory management).
• Experience in online merchandising strategies and practices.
• Basic knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint with proficiency in Access a plus.
• Basic knowledge of Power

  BI, Access or related a plus.

What’s needed
– Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and relationship-building.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

At Staples, “inclusion” is an action word. It represents what we do to ensure that all employees feel valued and supported to contribute to their fullest potential. When we operate inclusively, diversity naturally follows. This is why we work hard to foster an inclusive culture, as we seek employees with unique and varied perspectives and areas of expertise.

The result is a better workplace and innovative thinking that helps us exceed our customers’ expectations – through the power of the people behind our iconic brand. Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.