Merchandise Manager - Forest Products

Merchandise Manager - Forest Products Location: Fort Wayne, IN Level: Salaried Division: Lumber & Building Materials Reporting to position: Forest Products Divisional Purchasing Manager Travel: Approx. 10% About the Role: As a Merchandise Manager in Lumber & Building Materials (LBM), you will play a key role in the Forest Products division by leading strategic purchasing and product management initiatives. This position focuses on sourcing and developing vendor programs for select forest products, including Treated Lumber & Engineered Wood Products, while managing critical, high-volume sales relationships with our LBM Distribution Partners. You will be responsible for procurement, vendor program negotiation, and partnering closely with the Forest Products sales teams to successfully implement programs with our dealers. In this role, you will be responsible for negotiating and developing vendor programs while staying current on market pricing and product availability of your assigned categories. Success in this position requires a passion for building strong relationships, effective communication , and the ability to work independently while taking strategic direction, as these skills are critical to overall performance. As an integral member of the LBM division, you will contribute significantly to divisional strategy and overall success through vendor relations, strategic sourcing, and sales planning. You will collaborate with a dynamic leadership team to strengthen supplier partnerships, support divisional goals, and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. While prior experience in forest products or the lumber industry is beneficial, it is not required. Candidates with experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply: Merchandise Associate, Department Manager, Sourcing Assistant or Manager, Sales Manager or Representative, Category Management, Buyer, Product Manager, Inventory Management. Responsibilities include: + Negotiate with vendors to obtain most favorable prices, terms, programs, promotions and volume and growth rebates + Analyze, implement and maintain a corporate strategy for the assigned categories + Evaluate and introduce new products and product lines to our sales team and dealers + Setting and achieving goals on sales, margins, turns, and service levels (where applicable) + Develop strategic and competitive promotions for the annual Market convention + Evaluate and coach vendor product performance + Monitor competitor tactics and trends to capitalize on opportunities in the marketplace + Collaborate with other Departments (e.g., Finance, Logistics, Marketing & Advertising, Market Planning, Retail Performance, etc.) to troubleshoot and resolve dealer or vendor issues + Travel for Markets twice per year; as well as any member visits, vendor visits, and trade shows as needed Education and Experience: + Bacheloru2019s degree in Marketing, Sales, or a related business field, or equivalent experience in retail, sales, or the hardware industry + Strong technology skills, including proficiency in Excel, Google Workspace, and Office 365 + Prior purchasing experience (preferred) Skills and Abilities: + Excellent verbal and written communication skills + Strong collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across teams + Creative and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to define issues, analyze data, and draw sound conclusions + Proven negotiation skills and sound business judgment + Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail + Service-oriented, self-motivated, and results-driven + Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally Benefits available to you: + Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision + Paid time off to foster work/life balance + Profit sharing + Bonus Pay opportunities + Retirement funding opportunities + Education reimbursement + Health club reimbursement + Career advancement opportunities About Do it Best Group Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world's largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, we support thousands of independently-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities. Culture: Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role. Our Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served Our Mission: Making the best even better Our Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams

Created: 2026-02-12