Manager Strategic Merchandising

Blue Nils is seeking a Strategic Merchandising Manager to support and execute key business strategies under the direction of the Strategic Merchandising Director . In this role, the Manager will help translate data insights, customer behavior, market trends, and brand priorities into actionable merchandising strategies that drive revenue growth, portfolio evolution, and an elevated digital customer experience. This role requires a strong balance of analytical rigor, commercial judgment, and editorial sensibility. The ideal candidate will be highly collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working across Merchandising, Planning, Finance, Creative, Technology, and Performance Marketing teams. The Strategic Merchandising Manager will play a key role in assortment optimization, product storytelling, launch execution, and performance reporting, while supporting broader strategic initiatives led by the Director. Responsibilities - Assortment Optimization The Strategic Merchandising Manager will support the development and execution of data-driven merchandising strategies that align with brand vision and broader business objectives. This individual will analyze SKU, collection, and category-level performance to identify opportunities to optimize assortment depth, breadth, pricing, margin, and product mix. Key responsibilities include: Support the Director in developing and executing merchandising strategies that drive revenue growth and portfolio evolution. Analyze SKU, collection, and category-level performance to identify business insights and recommend opportunities to optimize assortment depth, breadth, and mix. Assist in developing and executing launch strategies for new collections, including assortment readiness, site placement, and post-launch performance tracking. Evaluate product lifecycle performance and recommend actions related to continuation, expansion, repositioning, or discontinuation. Monitor competitor strategies, market conditions, customer behavior, and industry trends to inform merchandising recommendations and new product opportunities. Partner with Finance and Planning teams to support demand forecasting, assortment planning, margin analysis, and inventory productivity. Translate analytics into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for the Director and cross-functional partners. Develop, maintain, and improve dashboards and reporting tools to track performance, identify trends, and support real-time decision-making. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical capabilities, sound business judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions. This role is suited for someone who can move between detailed analysis and broader strategic thinking while maintaining strong executional discipline. Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Analytics, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field 5 - 8+ years of experience in merchandising, site merchandising, analytics, e-commerce, retail, or a related role Experience supporting assortment strategy, product performance analysis, launch planning, pricing strategy, margin analysis, or product mix optimization Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in tools such as Excel, SQL, Tableau, Looker, Power BI, or similar platforms Ability to translate complex data into clear insights, business implications, and actionable recommendations Strong understanding of e-commerce merchandising principles, digital customer experience, and product storytelling Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities and multiple cross-functional stakeholders Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Merchandising, Planning, Finance, Creative, Technology, and Marketing teams. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and follow-through Preferred Attributes Successful candidates will demonstrate a blend of commercial instinct, analytical discipline, and brand sensitivity. They should be comfortable making recommendations grounded in data while also understanding the importance of curation, exclusivity, and emotional resonance in the customer experience. Highly collaborative Curious, proactive, and comfortable identifying opportunities for improvement Strong problem-solving skills and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources Balanced approach to creative judgment and quantitative decision-making Comfortable presenting insights and recommendations to senior leaders and cross-functional partners At Blue Nile, many of our roles offer a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, paid time off, retirement planning and opportunities for career advancement. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, employment type, work schedule or location: Paid Time Off Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Insurance 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match Flexible Spending Account | Health Savings Account Tuition Reimbursement Employee Discount Parental Leave Life Insurance. Annual base pay: $110,000 - $140,000. Final pay rate shall be determined and is based on experience and qualifications. At this time, Blue Nile will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position. Additional Information: Blue Nile is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. Blue Nile. will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law #LI-WK1