Director of General Merchandise

Location: Honolulu, HI (Hybrid – Office and Store Locations, includes Neighbor Island travel)

About the Company

Our client is a well-established, privately held grocery retailer with more than 70 years of success serving its local communities. As the largest locally owned grocer in its market, the company has built a trust brand grounded in quality, value, and a deep connection to the people it serves.

The company blends traditional values with modern merchandising practices, offering a wide assortment of grocery, seasonal, and lifestyle products. With a culture rooted in local decision-making, teams are empowered to respond quickly, collaborate closely, and deliver products and experiences that resonate with Hawaii’s unique communities.

The organization is investing in its general merchandise capabilities, enhancing assortment planning, vendor partnerships, and in-store execution. This creates a rare opportunity for a merchandising leader to have enterprise-level impact and guide the next phase of growth.

About the Position

We are seeking a Director of General Merchandise to lead strategy and operations across all general merchandise categories, including seasonal items, home goods, and everyday essentials. This role will ensure the company’s product offerings are relevant, engaging, and profitable, while reflecting Hawaii’s culture and customer preferences.

The Director of General Merchandise will work closely with Procurement, Marketing, Store Operations, and Finance to optimize assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor partnerships. This highly visible role offers broad ownership, cross-functional influence, and the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing merchandising team within a values-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities
Merchandise Strategy & Execution

• Define and execute a comprehensive general merchandise strategy aligned with company goals and market opportunities.
• Partner with senior leadership to establish sales, margin, and assortment objectives for assigned categories.
• Use data, customer insights, and industry trends to guide product strategy and decision-making.

Assortment Planning & Merchandising

• Oversee product assortment, planograms, and in-store presentation to ensure visual appeal, innovation, and consistency.
• Develop and execute pricing, promotional, and seasonal programs to maximize sales and customer engagement.
• Maintain high standards for product quality, freshness, and in-store merchandising.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and international vendors.
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and programs that support profitability and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Operations to ensure smooth supply chain and inventory consistency.

Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor category performance, including sales, margins, and inventory metrics.
• Analyze reports to inform buying, pricing, and assortment decisions.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, inspire, and develop corporate and store-level merchandising teams.
• Foster alignment with corporate strategy and ensure effective in-store execution.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, result-driven environment.

 

You’ll Make an Impact By

• Driving category growth and profitability through strategic assortment and vendor partnerships.
• Elevating merchandising standards and in-store execution to enhance customer experience.
• Influence company strategy with actionable insights and market knowledge.
• Building a high-performing merchandising team equipped to support evolving business needs.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in general merchandise, retail merchandising, or category management in multi-unit retail.
• 2+ years of experience managing and developing teams.
• Proven track record of improving category performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Retail, or related discipline.
• Experience with vendor negotiation, pricing strategy, and assortment planning.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision-making experience.
• Familiarity with Hawaii market, culture, and consumer preferences.
• Multi-location retail experience is preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives
• Hybrid work environment with office, store visits, and Neighbor Island travel
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave
• Employee discounts and wellness programs
• Opportunities for long-term growth within the organization

Why This Opportunity
This role is ideal for a merchandising leader who wants:

• Broad ownership and enterprise-level impact
• The ability to translate strategy into actionable results quickly
• Leadership influence within a values-driven, community-focused company
• A dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative environment