Brief Description About Us At FreshDirect, we are reinventing the grocery experience. Since day one, our mission has been simple: bring the best, freshest food directly from the farm to people’s home – faster, fresher, and smarter than anyone else. We are not just a food company – we are a technology powered, customer obsessed team building the most innovative end to end food supply chain in the industry. From proprietary routing systems to our state of the art fulfillment center, every part of our business is designed to deliver unmatched quality, convenience and care. We partner directly with farmers, fishermen, and artisans to source the highest quality ingredients, then use smart data, automation, and logistics to get them to our customers’ door at peak freshness. It’s grocery shopping reimagined and we are just getting started. If you are passionate about innovation, care about what people eat, and want to be part of a team doing what no one else is doing, come build future of food with us. The Role The Director of Merchandising owns Category Management, Merchandising, and Pricing for the Meat, Seafood, and Poultry departments. This role is responsible for driving departmental performance through the development and execution of strategic category plans, analyzing financial and operational metrics, and implementing corrective actions as needed. The Director collaborates closely with vendor partners—holding them accountable to performance metrics, building strategic relationships, and ensuring alignment on business goals. The role also oversees daily departmental functions and works cross-functionally on initiatives that drive growth and deliver value to customers. In addition, the Director will lead, mentor, and develop a team of passionate category experts, fostering a culture of customer-centricity and high performance. The ideal candidate brings a track record of success in merchandising, including product sourcing and selection, eCommerce selling strategies, and knowledge of the grocery supply chain, and is excited to join a team of dedicated food enthusiasts at FreshDirect. What You’ll Do Strategic Leadership & Financial Performance • Own the P&L for your department, including Sales, Average Order Size, Gross Margin, and Scrap. • Drive department performance through category planning, optimizing assortment, space utilization, pricing strategies, and product flow to meet customer needs. • Continuously evaluate financial and operational performance against goals, taking corrective action as needed. • Implement processes to improve customer perception, leveraging consumer insights to enhance product quality and experience. Team & Vendor Management • Coach and develop a team of Category Managers, fostering a culture of achievement, accountability, and collaboration. • Set clear service performance metrics and hold vendors accountable for sales, service levels, funding, marketing, and compliance; assess supplier capabilities and suitability. • Build and maintain strategic vendor relationships to drive mutual growth, maximize resources, and capitalize on market opportunities. Operations & Compliance • Oversee daily and weekly departmental operations to ensure accuracy and timeliness. • Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams and suppliers to optimize operations and supply chain efficiency. • Partner with FSQA to ensure regulatory compliance, respond to food safety issues, and implement preventative measures. What You’ll Bring Communication & Collaboration • Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and inspire. • Proven success in developing and building strong, high-performing teams. Analytical & Detail-Oriented Skills • Strong analytical mindset with excellent organizational abilities. • Keen attention to detail and a commitment to follow-through. Technical & Project Management Expertise • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills. • Significant project management experience, capable of managing mid-sized initiatives from start to finish. Leadership & Strategic Impact • Scope: Strategizes with senior leaders across multiple functions within the organization. • Autonomy: Acts as strategic lead within the team, requiring partnership from peers and input from leadership. • Management Responsibilities: Sets direction, strategy, and vision for two or more teams or sub-teams. Holds team members accountable, proposes plans for budgeting, execution, and hiring, and makes key decisions in partnership with functional leadership. • Exemplifies inspirational leadership and executive maturity, fostering a positive, creative, and productive work environment that supports individual growth. Competencies & Core Attributes • Manages complexity and demonstrates a strategic mindset. • Optimizes work processes and adapts to changing situations with agility. • Action-oriented with strong business, technical, and financial acumen. • Communicates effectively and fosters nimble learning across the organization. What We Offer Compensation: Expected salary range of $135,824-$159,793 per year, based on experience and qualifications. Final compensation will be confirmed during the interview process. • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous Paid Time Off, Safe & Sick Leave, and Paid Holidays so you can rest, reset, and spend time on what matters most. • Comprehensive Health Coverage: We’ve got you covered with medical, vision, dental, and voluntary disability benefits designed to support you and your family’s well-being. • Future-Ready Finances: Build your future with our 401(k) plan + employer match and gain peace of mind with life insurance benefits. • Workplace You’ll Love: Our modern Bronx campus features a state-of-the-art facility, a full gym, an inviting cafeteria, and an employee market. We also provide free parking and a shuttle service from nearby MTA stations for an easy commute. • Growth & Development: Your career growth matters to us. We offer leadership development programs, plus exclusive tuition discounts through our partnerships with local colleges. • Exclusive Perks: Get a 20% employee discount on FreshDirect online orders and our wine store. Shop amazing deals at our on-site employee market, and join fun engagement events and vendor spotlights where you can sample the very best of what we offer Our Culture We embrace an in-office culture, composed of individuals who thrive on the collaboration and energy that comes from working together in a shared space. We are looking for people who excel in this environment, where physical presence enhances connections and engagement. At FreshDirect, we've created an environment that thrives on teamwork, where associates can innovate, grow, and have successful careers. Many of our leaders have successfully come up through our ranks. Because of our team's extraordinary efforts, we are a leading innovator in the e-commerce and grocery industries. Equal Opportunity We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Fresh Direct, LLC and its affiliates do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, marital status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the Team member(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of individuals in this position. Position Expectations may be subject to change as the needs of the organization changes.