Senior Category Associate

This is a hybrid role based out of our Boston, MA office (Monday - Thursday onsite, Friday remote each week)

We’re seeking a highly analytical, passionate, self-motivated individual to join our Category Management team.

In this role, you will be dedicated to delivering a superb customer experience by making excellent assortment decisions informed by our wealth of browsing and purchasing data. You will be responsible for growing sales while improving profitability, as well as identifying new business opportunities, developing internal and external relationships, and negotiating with key suppliers. Other areas of focus could include expanding the assortment and developing a competitive strategy for the market. You will work closely with a Category Manager to set and execute the strategy for a product category, develop supplier relationships, drive process improvement, and negotiate pricing and inventory. We welcome applications from high caliber professionals for whom style, home fashion and decor represent a meaningful arena to use the skills they developed in generalist business settings.

Who We Are

The Category Management team offers a unique opportunity to drive strategy for Wayfair’s largest product categories through tight internal and external partnership. We serve as ambassadors of the product categories we manage. We are at the forefront as Wayfair redefines the supplier experience as a platform, giving suppliers more data, more transparency, and more control while retaining the high-touch elements that make working with Wayfair exceptional. Internally, we leverage a diverse set of cross-functional partners to execute our strategic vision. In a role on the Category Management team, you will be expected to define overarching goals and strategy within your category, problem-solve, articulate and execute against tactical plans, and manage key business metrics. Members of the team must be able to expertly negotiate internally and externally, while also being effective project managers.

How is this opportunity unique?

The Category Management team interacts with our suppliers every day. We like candidates with consultative mindsets who want to work with external partners. Collaborative partnerships are a hallmark of a relationship with Wayfair.

Wayfair is a data-driven environment. Candidates with experience using data to drive decision-making are great matches.
We move fast and take risks. If you have experience at a start-up or in another fast-paced, risk-taking environment, you’d enjoy working at Wayfair. Be prepared to constantly evolve.

Strong communication is key. Category Managers have a 360° view into their suppliers and their category. You’ll need to be able to gain buy-in from senior leaders and cross-functional teams to accomplish your goals.

We like to have fun. Our team takes time each month to celebrate our wins and toast our accomplishments.  We foster an environment that values balance, and we encourage personal development by offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for continuous development and mentorship.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and enhance strategic category plans to achieve revenue and profitability goals
• Analyze event and category performance to gain actionable insights and pivot business accordingly
• Conduct competitive and product category analysis to evaluate market trends
• Drive relationships and collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify and fill assortment opportunities
• Negotiate for favorable terms with suppliers (selection, price and quantity)
• Establish relationships with brands, partnering effectively to achieve mutual business goals
• Conduct competitive and product category analysis to identify new designers and brands to increase and expand selection across product categories
• Collaborate with many cross-functional partners (Pricing, Promotions, Operations, Merchandising and many more!)
  

What You’ll Need

• 2+ years of experience within an e-commerce or corporate retail organization, preferred
• A strong interest in building a career in buying, merchandising and/or supplier relationship management
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• A personable and energetic communicator, eager to build relationships with new business partners
• Ability to communicate and feel comfortable speaking directly with C-suite level suppliers from large companies
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects at once (you don’t miss the details)
• An interest in, and/or ability to learn retail math concepts
• Analytical thinker who looks for (and finds) answers in the data
• Ability to “hit the ground running” – a self-starter capable of achieving specific target goals
• An entrepreneurial spirit and mindset
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Google Suite, preferred
• Passion for driving growth with an ability to think outside of existing limitations
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a cross-functional team
• Desire to build business plans and provide strategic initiative