Director, Merchandising

DescriptionHi there, we're Article. Since 2013, we have been redefining the furniture industry one sofa at a time; it's not easy — it requires solving challenging, meaningful problems. This is where you come in.
As a Director, Merchandising, you'll be responsible for our most established furniture categories, managing our assortment strategy, product selection, and overall business performance. You will also contribute to our go-to-market processes and merchandising best practices. Specifically, overseeing our Indoor Furniture Categories: Upholstery, Dining, Bedroom, Office & Entryway.
*Please note that internally your title will be Director, Category Management (CMT).
Why Is This Role Open?
One of our current Directors, after 5 years with Article, has decided to move back home. They will be helping us in our search for their replacement. And, depending on timing, they may be available to help with your onboarding.
Why We Need You:
The Category Management team curates and manages Article's product assortment, making it easier for customers to furnish their homes with confidence. Meaning, you will be at the forefront and fully own the sales and performance of your assigned categories.
As Director, you'll lead the Upholstery, Dining, Bedroom, Office & Entryway categories, owning their sales, margin, and growth performance. You'll also guide the operational health of the Category Management (CMT) function, ensuring our team runs strategically and efficiently.
You won't need prior furniture experience to succeed in this role. But, you will need the ability to:

• Drive results through strong cross-functional partnerships, especially with Product Design, Supply Chain, Marketing, Creative, and Finance.
• Build and evolve a resilient, empowered team that's excited to solve meaningful problems.
• Shape how Category Management shows up at Article — championing both customer impact and operational excellence.

Why Article?
As a Particle (people of Article), you will have a high level of autonomy to solve challenging, meaningful problems the best way you can. That means you're trusted to explore solutions you believe will work best (you're the expert, after all). You'll do all this while growing your skills within a company that is redefining the furniture industry.
About the CMT team:
We are a hybrid team; you'll be in the office three days a week.
Our VP of Category Management, Rebecca, reports to our CEO/ Cofounder Aamir. She has two Directors reporting to her:

• This role drives Indoor Categories: Dining/Office, Bedroom/Entry, and Living Room. Your team has 9 Particles.
• Your peer, who drives Outdoor, Decor & New Business, has 6 other Particles.

What You'll Do:

• You'll be leading a team of 3 Category Managers, 2 Junior Category Managers, and 3 Category Specialists.
• Create and manage category management best practices that enable the function to operate effectively and reliably
• Develop, in partnership with the VP, long-term growth strategies for product categories.
• Lead and mentor Senior Category Managers, Category Managers, and other team members to meet functional goals.
• Co-lead strategic contract negotiations, feedback, and accountability with cross-functional partners to ensure the team is equipped with the critical inputs and infrastructure required to perform at a high level.
• Ensure the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of strategies that can include identifying, documenting, and prioritizing investment proposals for business growth that will help grow your category's share of the market.
• Lead category management efforts across cross-functional workflows to ensure business success
• Act as a champion of the customer internally, negotiating performance commitments on behalf of our customer with function owners across the business.
• Be accountable for the performance (revenue and profitability) of an assigned Article product categories.
• Steer pricing and promotional pricing strategy for your scope of business, ensuring we meet revenue and margin targets
• Analyze business performance with the ability to dive deep into the details and present high-level insights that translate into actions.

Team Leadership

• Empower direct reports with decision-making autonomy while maintaining accountability for results.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and coaching to drive individual and team development.
• Foster collaboration and effective communication across cross-functional teams.
• Develop succession planning by identifying and developing high-potential talent within the category management team.
• Oversee the execution of product lifecycle management activities, ensuring teams deliver on time and meet strategic objectives.

Who You Are:Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or product leadership within retail or eCommerce.
• 4+ years leading and developing high-performing teams in Category Management or Merchandising.
• Proven ability to influence business outcomes through strategy, collaboration, and stakeholder management.
• Experience leading in high-growth, fast-paced environments.

Technical Skills:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills — able to dive into data and turn insights into action.
• Comfortable making pricing and promotional decisions that drive both revenue and profitability.

Tools We Use:

• Proficiency with business analysis tools and data platforms (e.g., Excel, BI tools, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with product lifecycle and assortment planning systems (you don't need furniture experience — just a strong foundation in retail operations).

Must-haves:

• A customer-first mindset and strategic thinking approach.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• A collaborative, “above the line” approach to working across functions.
• Adaptable and resilient in managing competing priorities and changing environments.

Additional Requirements:

• Legally able to work in Canada.
• Completion of a criminal background check.

Perks & Benefits:Wealth:

• The salary range is $200,000 to $240,000. The starting salary will be determined by your transferable skills, knowledge, work experience, and the hiring team's budget, which is based on business needs, market compensation data, and internal equity
• 4% RRSP matched contributions through Wealthsimple

Life:

• 20 days of vacation*
• 6 well-being (sick) days
• 1 extra day of PTO (Inclusion and Diversity Day)
• Hybrid work: 3 days a week in the office
• Work remotely (anywhere in the world) for up to 3 weeks

Total Health:

• Excellent extended health and dental benefits packages
• $1000 health/lifestyle spending account* for your total physical and mental well-being
• TELUS Health App
  • Mental Health Assistance/Counselling
  • Virtual medical appointments

Office Space:

• The Article HQ is a converted warehouse, with an open accessible layout and no offices (even for our founders)
• Work from your desk, an Article sofa, collaboration spaces, or a private meeting room
  • Standup desks can be requested too
• Our kitchens are stocked with salty, sweet and healthy snacks, & all the premium coffees and teas to keep you buzzing
• Pickleball, badminton, and table tennis matches happen, from very competitive to very casual
• On-site fitness equipment with showers and towel service
• A dog-friendly office - well-socialized pups are welcome

Getting here:

• Free street parking (first come, first serve; no reserved spots for senior leaders)
• Indoor secure bike storage with change rooms and showers
• 20-minute walk to either Main Street- Science World or VCC Clark Skytrain stations

Extra:

• 45% discount on our entire product range (15% for friends and family)

*Prorated
#INDARTICLE