Merchandise Specialist

At Diventures, we're in the relationship business. The Merchandise Specialist contributes to the success of Diventures by consistently supporting our store teams through accurate ordering, vendor coordination, e-commerce execution, and inventory management. By ensuring the right products are available in-store and online, the Merchandise Specialist helps deliver positive experiences and lasting relationships with our customers through high-touch, high-communication, internal customer service.

Reporting directly to the Merchant Director, the Merchandise Specialist is an execution-focused role that works closely with vendors, store teams, and Store Support colleagues. This role does not make strategic assortment or vendor decisions but is responsible for the flawless execution of internal operational merchandising processes. Success in this role requires fanatical attention to internal communication, rigorous follow-up, and consistent follow-through to ensure every task is closed out properly and communicated back to the team. With strong attention to detail, technical accuracy, and a collaborative mindset, the Merchandise Specialist helps ensure Diventures remains an industry-leading retailer.

Key Responsibilities

• Place restocking orders and ensure timely vendor fulfillment in line with established min/max inventory levels.
• Track and follow up on backordered items, ensuring resolution within 30 days or escalating for approval when exceptions are required.
• Process and manage special orders from stores, serving as a highly responsive point of contact for internal customers.
• Support vendor onboarding by loading initial assortment data, setting up system records, and ensuring accuracy of item-level details.
• Build and maintain e-commerce product pages, including uploading vendor images, applying approved copy, and updating pricing, promotional details, and product attributes.
• Ensure ongoing data quality for both in-store and online assortments (pricing accuracy, product descriptions, sale adjustments, discontinued items).
• Act as the internal facilitator and project manager for new vendor additions, co-branded opportunities, and similar initiatives.
• Monitor sales reports and inventory metrics to proactively recommend adjustments to reorder quantities or min/max settings.
• Support the Inventory Accuracy Program by validating system records against vendor confirmations and store-level feedback.
• Coordinate with the Director of People & Development to ensure Learning Management System (LMS) assets are updated in alignment with new vendor or product additions.
• Communicate regularly with vendors to resolve order issues, request corrective actions, or expedite shipments as needed.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting to Merchant Director and store teams on order status, backorders, and inventory position.
• Collaborate with Store Managers and store teams as a servant leader, ensuring their merchandising needs are met with urgency and accuracy.

• Detail-Oriented and Organized
• Customer-First Mindset
• Effective Communicator
• Strong Analytical & Excel Skills
• Sense of Urgency
• Exceptional Communication and Follow-Through
• Professionalism & Integrity
• Servant Leadership Orientation
• Positive, Can-Do Attitude

• Proficient in pivot tables and pivot charts for summarizing sales, inventory, and vendor performance.
• Skilled with intermediate and advanced formulas such as SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMPRODUCT, and IF/IFS with AND/OR.
• Able to clean and normalize data (e.g., TRIM, SUBSTITUTE) and apply conditional formatting for exception-based reviews.

• Power BI expertise considered a bonus for building dashboards and visualizing merchandising performance.

• Understanding of retail inventory and financial metrics (gross margin, gross profit, turn, GMROI).
• Strong vendor communication and follow-up skills.
• Data accuracy and attention to detail in item setup and maintenance.
• Familiarity with point-of-sale and/or inventory management systems preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Bachelor's degree in business, merchandising, or related field preferred; relevant experience considered.
• 3-5 years of experience in merchandising, purchasing, retail operations, or related internal customer service role.
• Strongly preferred: Residence in Omaha, NE.

• Salary range: $40,000 - $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience, including annual bonus opportunity.