Job Summary:
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States and Canada. Our brands are among the best known and respected in the industry, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, and West Elm. We successfully market our brands through three major channels - retail stores, catalogs, and the internet. One of the key growth strategies for Williams-Sonoma Inc. is global expansion. This expansion will be done through company-owned & operated stores/DTC channels, and through strategic franchise partnerships.
This position reports to the Product Information Lead
JOB PURPOSE:
We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Merchandise Operations Associate (Product Information & Data Validation) to play a key role in both SKU setup and end-to-end product information management across all regions.
This role is essential in ensuring our product data is accurate, complete, and ready for business. With
a strong eye for detail, you will help validate critical data and ensure products are correctly entered
into our inventory systems so they can launch smoothly and be available for sale across all channels.
You will also partner closely with your manager and cross-functional teams to lead the end-to-end
product information gathering and maintenance process with vendors worldwide. Your work will
directly support both the US and WSGO teams in maintaining high levels of PI accuracy and
consistency.
At its core, this role is about driving operational excellence, collaborating effectively with cross-
functional partners and continuously improving processes to help the organization meet its goals.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Product Information (PI) Management
- Partner closely with the manager and cross-functional teams to standardize, streamline, and improve existing SOPs and processes for greater efficiency and data quality.
- Review and analyze current systems to establish efficient data-sharing and extraction methods, reducing redundancy and simplifying data input across key processes.
- Improve and refine workflows related to product information management to ensure data is accessible, accurate, and up to date across all systems.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the US PI team, WSGO teams, and vendors to ensure alignment and smooth communication for new product launches, ongoing maintenance, and supporting a consistent online experience for WSI customers.
Merchandise Operations & SKU Setup
- Track, validate, and maintain large volumes of product data with strong attention to detail.
- Perform SKU setup and maintenance in the inventory management system.
- Verify SKU data accuracy across various operating systems.
- Create and maintain Item Master foundation data, including merchandise hierarchy, attributes, and differentiators.
- Provide timely responses to SKU-related inquiries and ensure efficient issue resolution.
- Ensure timely and accurate SKU setup to support product availability across all sales channels.
- Coordinate with internal and external partners to resolve data discrepancies and ensure operational continuity.
Job Holder's Competencies & Experience
- Previous experience in the merchandise operations, inventory management, or a related role is highly desirable.
- Proven track record in process improvement, operational optimization, and implementing best practices working with complex systems and workflows.
- Experience working in cross-functional environments (e.g., sourcing, finance, IT, supply chain).
- Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for decision-making and process enhancement.
- Detail-oriented, proactive, and solution-focused with a strong commitment to operational excellence.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with associates, supervisors, and managers.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to foster clear, open communication.
- Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, independent decision-making, and strong problem-solving skills.
