Senior Category Merchant- Programs

Staples is focused on our customers and our community. As a Sr Merchant, Amazon Returns, you will serve as the business owner for the Amazon Returns relationship, overseeing the program's financial performance, operational execution, and future growth across the US Retail Stores (USR) business. You will be accountable for managing partnership portfolio, ensuring Staples captures the full value of its investment while delivering financial, customer, and operational objectives.

This role is responsible for leading the ongoing relationship with Amazon, negotiating new programs and initiatives, ensuring compliance with financial and operational commitments, and driving continuous improvement across the business. Through strong cross-functional leadership, analytics, and commercial acumen, you will identify opportunities to enhance profitability, customer experience, and program performance while helping shape the future direction of this strategic partnership.

Success in this role requires the ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead complex initiatives, manage substantial financial accountability, and effectively balance the needs of both Staples and Amazon to achieve mutually beneficial business outcomes.

Relationship Management, Strategy & Performance

• Serve as the primary business owner for the Amazon Returns partnership, leading the day-to-day relationship and representing Staples in ongoing business discussions with Amazon
• Manage business portfolio, driving financial performance, operational effectiveness, and long-term partnership value
• Lead business reviews with Amazon and internal stakeholders, translating performance insights into strategic recommendations and actionable plans 
• Negotiate new programs, enhancements, and partnership initiatives that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial results
• Hold Amazon accountable to agreed-upon operational and financial commitments, ensuring Staples realizes the full value of negotiated program terms
• Monitor program performance and develop regular reporting and analysis on sales, traffic, returns volumes, profitability, service levels, and operational trends to identify opportunities and risks
• Communicate program performance, key issues, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

Financial Management & Business Ownership

• Own the financial oversight of the Amazon Returns business, including monthly revenue and expense reconciliation, performance analysis, forecasting support, and financial accuracy 
• Ensure accurate receipt and validation of all financial obligations associated with the Amazon Returns partnership 
• Analyze business performance and trends to identify opportunities for growth, expense management, and profitability improvement 
• Partner with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate business outcomes, support planning activities, and maximize return on investment

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead program management activities for Amazon Returns initiatives, ensuring execution against business objectives, timelines, and operational requirements
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Store Communications, Field Leadership, Marketing, Legal, and other teams to support smooth program execution and resolve business challenges
• Track and help maximize all negotiated terms of the Amazon Returns agreement, ensuring Staples captures the full financial and operational value of the partnership
• Drive issue resolution, process improvements, and program enhancements with internal stakeholders and Amazon counterparts
• Support business reviews and partnership discussions with clear performance narratives, data-backed insights, and recommendations
• Develop and maintain tools, trackers, and reporting frameworks that improve visibility to program performance, accountability for key actions, and decision-making
• Establish a disciplined operating cadence to ensure follow-through on commitments, timely escalation of issues, and continuous improvement of the Amazon Returns program

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 10+ years of experience in merchandising, business management, program management, partnership management, or category management
• Experience managing significant business relationships, strategic partnerships, or commercial programs with measurable financial accountability
• Strong understanding of retail partnerships, cross-functional execution, and omni-channel program management
• Proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable recommendations and executive-ready reporting
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, influence, and drive results and operation execution across internal and external stakeholders in a complex organization

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, and business performance management
• Strong ability to manage strategic partnerships and influence internal and external stakeholders to deliver results
• Experience in program management, operational improvement, or partnership optimization within a retail or consumer-facing environment
• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
• Ability to prioritize, operate with urgency, and manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, evolving business environment

Get great perks.

• Bonus plan and generous amount of paid time off, including one Floating Holiday each year
• Flexible work arrangements, including flexible work hours 
• 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance with many more optional benefits
• Associate store discount and more perks (discounts on mobile plans, movie tickets, etc.)

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.  In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation. 

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