Director Bedding Category Management & Merchandising

Primary Job Functions

Category Ownership & Business Performance

• Lead the national bedding category strategy for Ashley Retail.
• Own category sales, gross margin, profitability, inventory productivity, and market share performance.
• Develop annual and multi-year category growth strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Identify opportunities to expand category penetration, improve assortment productivity, and increase customer attachment rates.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure category effectiveness and business performance.

Assortment Strategy & Product Selection

• Develop and maintain the national bedding assortment strategy across all mattress, adjustable base, pillow, protector, sheet, and sleep accessory categories.
• Determine national assortment standards while enabling localized market strategies where appropriate.
• Lead line reviews, category evaluations, and assortment optimization initiatives.
• Utilize sales, customer, inventory, competitive, and market data to inform assortment decisions.
• Evaluate product lifecycle performance and manage product introductions, exits, and refresh strategies.

Pricing & Margin Management

• Own category pricing strategy across all bedding categories.
• Establish retail pricing recommendations designed to maximize profitability while maintaining market competitiveness.
• Manage margin targets, promotional planning, and product mix optimization.
• Monitor competitive pricing landscapes and recommend strategic adjustments.

Merchandising Strategy

• Develop enterprise-wide bedding merchandising standards and strategies.
• Create merchandising playbooks, floor placement guidelines, and space allocation recommendations.
• Establish category storytelling and product presentation standards that improve customer engagement and conversion.
• Partner with Retail Operations and Visual Merchandising teams to ensure consistent execution across all locations.
• Lead innovation in showroom merchandising and customer shopping experiences.

Licensee Partnership & Advisory Support

• Serve as the primary merchandising and category management resource for the Ashley licensee community.
• Develop and communicate national bedding strategies, assortment recommendations, and best practices.
• Provide data-driven insights and category performance analyses to support licensee decision-making.
• Conduct strategic consultations with licensees to improve category performance.
• Identify and share best practices from top-performing markets and retail locations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a team of regional bedding merchants.
• Establish performance expectations, development plans, and succession planning initiatives.
• Coach teams on category management, assortment optimization, analytics, and merchandising best practices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate category initiatives and execution plans across regions.

Vendor & Strategic Partnership Management

• Build and maintain relationships with key bedding manufacturers and strategic suppliers.
• Lead vendor line reviews, negotiations, and strategic planning efforts.
• Evaluate new product opportunities and emerging industry trends.
• Partner with vendors on product launches, training programs, marketing support, and promotional initiatives.
• Ensure vendor strategies align with company growth objectives.

Analytics & Market Intelligence

• Analyze sales trends, consumer behavior, inventory productivity, and category performance metrics.
• Leverage customer insights and market data to drive assortment and pricing decisions.
• Monitor competitive retail environments and emerging sleep industry trends.
• Develop executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations.
• Translate data into actionable business initiatives that improve performance.

Secondary Job Functions

This section describes the secondary responsibilities that this job performs.

• Maintain reliable attendance.
• Actively participate in departmental meetings, training and education. Assist with training other employees and providing backup.
• Complete other assignments and special projects as requested.

Job Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Retail Management, or related field.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, retail buying, or product management.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and business performance.
• Bedding or Home Furnishings experience, Preferred

Licenses or Certifications

• None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Document management system
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Maintain confidentiality
• Working knowledge of Continuous Improvement
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously within established time constraints
• Proficient computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, internet
• Perform under strong demands in a fast-paced environment
• Work professionally with customers and co-workers to efficiently serve our customers, treating both with enthusiasm and respect
• Display empathy, understanding and patience with employees and external customers
• Respond professionally in situations with difficult employee/vendor/customer issues or inquiries

Schedule Expectations

• This position will be required to travel frequently.
• Flexible and willing to work extended hours when necessary.

Job Competencies

• Ethics and values
• Integrity and trust
• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Data-driven decision making
• Relationship building and collaboration
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Customer-focused mindset
• Initiative and self-motivation