Senior Category Merchant

Whole Foods Market is hiring for a Senior Category Merchant to lead strategic planning and execution for assigned product categories. This role will shape category direction through customer-focused assortments and data-driven decisions, ensuring a strong mix of national, private label, and best-in-class local offerings. If you have a passion for innovation, a deep understanding of the retail landscape, and a knack for turning insights into action, we want to hear from you.This position is located in Austin, TX with the expectation of being onsite 5 days a week.

What You’ll Do

• Own and manage the financial performance of assigned product categories.
• Develop and execute category strategies rooted in financial goals, customer insights, and market dynamics.
• Build strong, customer-centric assortments by conducting supplier line reviews, item planning, and internal alignment.
• Contribute to strategic pricing decisions and develop value-adding pricing tactics.
• Analyze sales, trends, and competitive activity to refine category plans and performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including Merchandising Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Quality Assurance.
• Lead or support new product development initiatives, particularly within Exclusive Brands.
• Manage supplier relationships to identify new opportunities, secure early access to innovation, and negotiate competitive terms.
• Leverage financial and retail software tools to pull data, assess performance, and guide decisions.
• Participate in and contribute to marketing and promotional strategy for your category.
• Communicate category performance and strategy clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to junior team members, and act as a resource on Whole Foods Market capabilities and category leadership.

Skills & Qualifications

• Retail Expertise: Deep knowledge of the retail business, including pricing, merchandising, operations, and financial performance.
• Cross-functional Agility: Comfortable influencing and collaborating across multiple departments and geographic regions.
• Analytical Strength: Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing trends, and identifying business drivers.
• Problem Solver: Strong creative thinking skills with the maturity to operate in a dynamic and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Tech-Savvy: Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office and experience with retail software tools.
• Category Management: Strong proficiency in category management and exclusive brand product development processes.
• Project Management: Ability to multitask and execute efficiently across several projects under tight timelines.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication; can independently lead supplier meetings and internal presentations.
• Business Acumen: Understands and uses financial goals and KPIs to measure success and guide category strategy.
• Change Agent: Flexible and resilient with strong change management and adaptation skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field and 4–6 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience in category management, merchandising, or retail strategy.

The wage range for this position is $77,111.00-$131,089.00 Annual, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plan benefits, eligibility for a store discount, paid time off and access to other benefit programs. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire. For additional information, visit our Whole Foods Market Careers site: https://careers.wholefoodsmarket.com/benefits.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.