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.