Description
As the WGU Store Strategist, you will oversee a highly visible branded merchandise program that serves employees, students, and alumni through internal, external, pop-up, and custom-order channels.
Responsibilities:
- Own the strategic direction, product selection, and day-to-day merchandising operations for WGU's internal, external, pop-up, and custom-order store channels.
- Develop proactive inventory and assortment plans that improve product availability, introduce fresh designs, and support enterprise merchandise needs.
- Manage vendor relationships and fulfillment operations, including forecasting, reordering, product quality, order accuracy, and on-time delivery.
- Review SKU performance and determine when products should be reordered, marked down, discontinued, refreshed, or replaced.
- Oversee the custom merchandise ordering process and collaborate with partners across the organization.
- Lead merchandise strategy and execution for commencements, summits, town halls, and other major activations.
- Manage program reporting and budget oversight while ensuring merchandise meets WGU's brand and visual identity standards.
Requirements:
- 4 years of experience in branded merchandise, e-commerce, or retail buying.
- A bachelor's degree, or relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
- Demonstrated project management, inventory planning, and organizational skills.
- A creative eye and the ability to evaluate merchandise for design quality and brand alignment.
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- A detail-oriented, low-ego approach with a strong sense of urgency and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
- Health savings account and flexible spending account
- Basic and voluntary life insurance
- Disability coverage
- Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
- Legal and identity theft coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Wellbeing program
- Discounted WGU tuition
- Flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
- Flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
- 11 paid holidays
- Other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave