Job Summary
The Senior Merchant is responsible for leading the strategic direction and overall performance of a product segment or major category. Building upon the Merchant role, this position drives the development and execution of comprehensive category strategies that deliver sustained sales growth, profitability, and competitive advantage.
The Senior Merchant owns high-impact vendor partnerships, leading complex negotiations and shaping supplier strategies that align with both category and broader organizational objectives. This role plays a key part in product development and category assortment planning ensuring the category remains competitive and responsive to market trends and customer needs.
In addition to category ownership, the Senior Merchant provides leadership and mentorship to team members, guiding execution and fostering a high-performance culture. By leveraging advanced analytics and strategic insight, this role identifies opportunities for large-scale improvements across pricing packages, category management processes, and product/portfolio quality, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and delivering enhanced value to customers.
Job Location
Hybrid: Some in-person work required.
2207 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602
We only accept W-2 candidates, H-1B sponsorship is not available.
Responsibilities
- Owns development and management of strategic vendor partnerships, including discontinuing misaligned vendors
- Develops and sets goals for key category performance metrics
- Is a go-to cross-functionally for all aspects of product/category/vendor maintenance
- Negotiates and signs vendor programs and leads complex negotiations
- Sources new products and leads product launch strategies
- Guides teams on pricing strategies and category positioning
- Drives continuous improvement across pricing packages, product quality, and overall portfolio health
- Promotes brand adhesion and consistency for all private label products, works closely with the brand team to make sure that brands are aligned under category verticals
- Leads, motivates, and helps to develops team members
Physical Requirements
- Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
- Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
- Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
- Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
- Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.
Qualifications
Experience
- Proven track record in a Category Manager role with mastery of responsibilities
- We consider applicants with diverse majors and work history; however, applicants frequently have education in Business Management, Supply Chain, Business Logistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Marketing, or a related field. Relevant positions include Buyer, Procurement Analyst, Sourcing Operations Analyst, Vendor Manager, and Pricing Analyst.
Education
This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.
Desired Traits & Skills
- Advanced mastery of Merchant-level responsibilities and category management principles
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to develop category and vendor growth plans
- Deep knowledge of product portfolios and competitive positioning
- Advanced vendor negotiation and relationship management skills
- Strong problem-solving skills for complex vendor and category challenges
- Demonstrated ability to drive sales growth, profitability, and successful product launches
- Ability to influence cross-functional partners
- Leadership skills with ability to coach and develop others
- Advanced analytical skills with ability to synthesize data into strategy
- Exemplifies exceptional initiative, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Anticipates and navigates complex challenges, drives strategic results independently.
A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark’s distribution methods in the food service industry.
Job Posted: 09/18/2026