Director – Space, Assortment & Category Strategy Retail
Franklin, Tennessee Direct Hire Jun 17, 2026
Job Summary Homeland Talent Solutions is partnering with a leading merchandising, planning, and analytics firm to identify a Director – Space, Assortment & Category Strategy to support continued growth and strategic expansion across grocery retail categories. This Director – Space, Assortment & Category Strategy role focuses on delivering data-driven space optimization and assortment strategies that enhance sales performance, profitability, and in-store customer experience. This Director – Space, Assortment & Category Strategy position sits at the intersection of analytics, merchandising strategy, and retail operations, supporting some of the most recognized grocery retailers and consumer brands in the industry.
As a Director – Space, Assortment & Category Strategy, you will lead strategic initiatives across fresh and center store categories, including Fresh Meat, Produce, Bakery, Seafood, and other perishables. You will partner closely with retailers and internal teams to design optimized shelf layouts, planograms, and assortment strategies that directly improve category performance and shopper engagement. This highly visible opportunity offers the chance to influence retail strategy at scale while working in a fast-paced, data-driven environment focused on measurable business impact.
Responsibilities
Lead space and assortment planning initiatives across grocery retail categories to improve sales, profitability, customer experience, and operational efficiency
Develop recommendations related to shelf allocation, assortment optimization, product placement, category flow, and merchandising strategy
Analyze sales, margin, inventory, customer, and market data to identify opportunities for improved space productivity and assortment performance
Design and implement micro and macro space planning strategies aligned with retailer goals and shopper demand
Develop and optimize planograms that enhance category growth, operational efficiency, and customer engagement
Partner with retailer stakeholders to align space and assortment strategies with category management and merchandising objectives
Evaluate assortment productivity and category performance using advanced data-driven and analytical methodologies
Leverage customer analytics and shopper insights to inform space planning and assortment decisions
Collaborate with merchandising, category management, operations, analytics, marketing, and executive leadership teams
Present strategic recommendations, business cases, and performance insights to senior stakeholders and client partners
Monitor industry trends, shopper behavior, and emerging technologies impacting space planning and assortment optimization
Requirements
10–15 years of progressive experience in grocery retail, merchandising, category management, space planning, assortment planning, or related analytical functions, preferred
Deep expertise in micro space planning, macro space planning, category management, and planogram development, preferred
Strong understanding of grocery store operations and the relationship between store execution, assortment strategy, and category performance, preferred
Experience with planogram, space planning, or assortment optimization tools such as Blue Yonder, Apollo, JDA, NielsenIQ, Circana, Spaceman, or similar platforms, preferred
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations, preferred
Experience leveraging customer analytics, shopper insights, and performance metrics to support assortment and space decisions, preferred
Proven ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate across multiple levels of an organization, preferred
Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills, preferred
Benefits This role offers a competitive annual salary of $200,000–$250,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits begin on day one and include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, HSA and FSA options, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and an Employee Assistance Program. Employees also benefit from ongoing career development opportunities, annual compensation reviews, and clear paths for professional growth and advancement.
Summary Apply today!
EEO Notice Homeland LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Homeland LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Homeland LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. #LI-BW1