Senior Director, Merchandising & Category Management - Tires

The Senior Director of Merchandising and Category Management is responsible for leading and executing the strategic direction of merchandising plans across a portfolio of high-volume tire brands and categories to drive sales and profitability growth. This position plays a critical role in advancing our growth in the aftermarket automotive retail landscape bringing deep expertise in assortment strategy go-to-market strategy supplier management and margin optimization. This role will align product offerings with major customer requirements and collaborate on pricing strategies and portfolio optimization to ensure scalable commercialization across Monros retail and online footprint. This role will collaborate across functions including inventory planning marketing finance and retail operations to drive commercial success and deliver on Monros long-term category vision. This position will lead a team of Category Managers and Analysts to ensure financial operational and customer-focused outcomes in alignment with Monros overall business objectives.

Compensation:  The salary range for this role is $130000 - $145000 annually.  This role is eligible for additional compensation and incentives.  Pay will be determined based on experience level.

Essential Functions:

Category Strategy & Growth

• Build and execute category strategies and business plans that align with short- and long-term business objectives including sales margin and volume targets
• Develop holistic assortment strategies and product screen utilizing good/better/best frameworks and in-store execution plans to drive customer purchase behavior in our retail stores
• Analyze and report on category performance including revenue volume margin competitive gaps and product mix (good/better/best) adjusting strategy based on commercial operational and customer feedback
• Synthesize consumer insights market intelligence and performance data to shape actionable merchandising strategies and guide business decisions at the category level

Vendor & Supplier Partnerships

• Foster and manage strategic vendor partnerships owning negotiations and contract oversight to drive competitive cost structures promotions and exclusive offerings to create long-term value
• Manage inventory productivity through SKU assortment and purchasing improvements
• Develop joint business plans with key suppliers to align and drive coordinated execution of growth strategies
• Own and facilitate critical merchandising touchpoints including high-impact line reviews vendor meetings and executive-level presentations to secure vendor partnerships and growth
• Ensure supplier performance as well as compliance with Monros standards and expectations. Productively and effectively address all issues to ensure sustainable go-forward performance improvement

Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution

• Create and own integrated go-to-market plans in collaboration with marketing and sales leaders
• Leverage competitive and trend analyses to proactively inform pricing decisions and promotional strategies ensuring in-store executability and relevant brand positioning across the assortment
• Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure promotional activity and retail pricing supports guest traffic conversion and outlet loyalty

Financial & Operational Excellence

• Own accountability for category and brand level objectives including sales margin and GMROI and inventory targets
• Continuously monitor and analyze KPIs including sales growth margin improvement inventory turnover customer traffic and promotional performance
• Collaborate with store operations to optimize back room productivity in-store merchandising product knowledge and training and customer engagement strategies
• Partner with Inventory Planning & Management team to drive inventory efficiency by ensuring alignment between demand forecasts supplier capabilities and production cycles distributor inventory positioning and sell-through expectations. Work with supply points to develop a constant reverse logistics program reducing slow-moving inventory.
• Work with Inventory Planning & Management team to ensure consistent and timely distribution and delivery of both assorted and on-demand products via a just-in-time supply chain model
• Implement efficiency improvements in product sourcing supply chain logistics and inventory replenishment

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead develop and mentor a team of Merchandising & Category Managers
• Effectively manage and integrate both onshore and offshore team members ensuring collaboration clear communication performance accountability and aligned priorities
• Foster a culture of empowerment collaboration continuous learning and accountability for results
• Provide clear direction performance feedback and coaching to direct reports
• Contribute to the adoption of new tools systems and ways of working across the Merchandising & Category Management teams
• Collaborate with leaders across the business to create shared buy-in and accountability for cross-functional objectives and initiatives
• Collaborate with the SVP of Merchandising and the Senior Leadership Team on high-priority merchandising and category management initiatives

Qualifications :

Education and Experience:

• 12 years of progressive experience in Merchandising Category Management or purchasing with leadership responsibility preferably in high-volume retail or distribution. Experience in automotive aftermarket a plus.
• Bachelors degree in business supply chain or equivalent experience in supply chain and vendor souring.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Proficient in business tools including Excel PowerPoint and merchandising analytics platforms with the ability to create compelling business cases and data-backed recommendations 
• Exceptional verbal written and presentation skills
• High level of business acumen with a strong understanding of retail fundamentals and business levers
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and indirect leadership abilities
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Strong leadership and demonstrated team development skills
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills grounded in data and business understanding
• Demonstrated success in leading the development and execution of comprehensive assortment purchasing and go-to-market strategies including good-better-best frameworks and portfolio optimization
• Excellent leadership communication and change management skills

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers phones photocopiers scanners and fax machines. Position requires incumbent to see read hear speak reach bend sit/stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer. Ability to work weekends and holidays as needed.

Additional Information :

Benefits  

• Health Insurance  
• Dental Insurance 
• 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match 
• Paid vacation 
• Paid Holidays 

Your next Destination!

Growth Opportunity:

At Monro were committed to helping our teammates grow their career through the combination of coursework demonstrating leadership skills and open opportunities. Our teammates receive on-the-job training company sponsored certifications as well as course curriculum in Monro University that empowers them to advance to the next level of their careers.

Monro Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time