Director of Merchandising

Swanson HealthRemoteFull-timePrincipal, 12–15+ yearsListed 1 week ago

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About this role

Competitive Benefits • Fitness Center Reimbursement • Product Discounts
This is a remote position; however, candidates must be located in Minneapolis, MN; Fargo, ND; or Chicago, IL.

Who We Are:

Swanson Health Products has been committed to bringing wellness to the world for over 50 years. As a leader in the vitamins, supplements, and natural wellness industry, we focus on delivering science-backed, high-quality products that support healthier lives. We are a digitally driven organization investing in innovation, customer experience, and data-informed growth.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Director of Product Merchandising to define and execute enterprise-wide category, assortment, and innovation strategies across Swanson’s product portfolio. This role is responsible for driving category growth, profitability, innovation performance, and portfolio optimization across Direct-to-Consumer, Amazon & 3P Marketplaces, and International channels.

As a key leader within the organization, you will oversee category strategy, assortment planning, innovation roadmaps, and portfolio performance while leading and developing a team of merchandising professionals. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with Innovation, Marketing, Pricing, Analytics, Purchasing, Ecommerce, Marketplace, and International teams to deliver business growth and strengthen Swanson’s market position.

What You'll Do:

Category & Portfolio Strategy

- Own category vision, strategy, and performance across multiple channels

- Lead assortment architecture, governance, and SKU rationalization initiatives

- Monitor category performance and implement improvement plans

- Identify growth opportunities, portfolio gaps, and emerging market trends

- Leverage consumer, competitive, industry, and internal insights to inform strategic decisions

Innovation Leadership

- Own innovation roadmaps and product pipelines for both owned and partner brands

- Oversee product launches, reformulations, and discontinuations

- Partner cross-functionally to commercialize innovation initiatives

- Evaluate launch performance and optimize future innovation investments

Leadership & Talent Development

- Lead, coach, and develop Associate and Assistant Merchants

- Establish clear priorities, accountability, and performance expectations

- Build organizational capability and succession plans

- Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and results

Cross-Functional Leadership

- Represent Merchandising across enterprise initiatives and strategic projects

- Influence decisions across Innovation, Marketing, Pricing, Analytics, Purchasing, Ecommerce, Marketplace, and International teams

- Align stakeholders around category priorities and business objectives

Business Performance & Growth

- Drive category growth, profitability, and portfolio optimization

- Manage innovation performance and product lifecycle strategies

- Utilize analytics and financial insights to guide business decisions

- Support enterprise growth initiatives across all sales channels

Required Qualifications:

- 10+ years of progressive merchandising or category management experience

- Demonstrated success managing category performance, innovation pipelines, and cross-functional business initiatives

- Strong analytical, financial, and strategic planning capabilities

- Experience owning financial performance and driving business results

- Proven experience managing product lifecycles and innovation portfolios

- Executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders

- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills

- Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development abilities

- Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through organizational change

- Bias toward action, accountability, and results

- Experience working across multiple sales channels, including DTC, marketplaces, and international markets a plus

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Management, or a related field

Why Join Us?

Join a company with over 50 years of leadership in health and wellness and play a key role in shaping the future of our product portfolio. As Director of Product Merchandising, you'll drive category growth, lead innovation, influence enterprise-wide strategy, and make a meaningful impact on the health and wellness journey of millions of customers.