Director of Merchandising

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. Originally posted on Himalayas