Why this role exists
The Merchandise Systems and Data Manager exists to ensure merchandise operations are supported by reliable systems, trusted data, effective reporting, efficient processes and consistent category support. The role translates commercial priorities into coordinated technology, data, process and service priorities that improve operational performance, strengthen controls and support better decision-making.
The role leads the merchandise systems, reporting, process improvement, product data and Category Assistant functions. It owns the performance and development of these services, including the centralised Category Assistant operating model, and balances day-to-day service continuity with longer-term improvement, automation and platform development.

Where you will make a difference
In this role you will:
Systems and Technology Portfolio
Set and govern the roadmap for merchandise systems, ensuring priorities support Commercial and Merchandise objectives.
Translate business needs into clear requirements, priorities and outcomes for Technology and Data teams.
Govern the merchandise systems portfolio, resolving competing priorities within available capacity and escalating material trade-offs where required.
Establish service expectations and performance measures for core merchandise systems.
Oversee business testing, implementation readiness, adoption and post-release review for material system changes.
Data, Reporting and Controls
Establish merchandise product data and reporting standards, including ownership, definitions, quality requirements and service expectations.
Ensure product data and priority reporting are accurate, complete, timely and fit for business use.
Maintain appropriate validation, exception and remediation controls for critical product, supplier and commercial data.
Monitor data quality and reporting performance, addressing material gaps, recurring errors and control failures.
Work with relevant business owners to ensure merchandise data and reporting practices meet commercial, legal, safety, sustainability and compliance requirements.
Category Support Service
Own the centralised Category Assistant operating model across category portfolios and locations, including service scope, governance, capacity principles and performance expectations.
Lead and develop the Category Assistant Leads, setting clear expectations for service delivery, people leadership, workload management, quality and stakeholder engagement.
Ensure clear decision rights and accountabilities between the Category Assistant service, Category Management and Merchandise Planning.
Govern work intake, prioritisation and capacity across the service, resolving cross-portfolio conflicts and reallocating resources where required.




Ensure core category support processes are delivered consistently, accurately and within agreed service levels.
Process Improvement and Automation
Establish and maintain a prioritised pipeline of merchandise process, system and automation opportunities.
Assess opportunities based on customer and commercial value, risk reduction, user impact and delivery effort.
Lead improvements to end-to-end merchandise processes, addressing delays, control gaps, duplication and unnecessary manual effort.
Ensure approved changes are supported by clear process ownership, controls, documentation, training and adoption plans.
Measure the benefits of implemented improvements, including reduced cycle time, improved quality, lower rework and hours released.
Use service performance and operational insights to identify recurring issues and inform future system, data and process priorities.
Who you will be working with
Head of Merchandise Excellence and Commercial Leadership: Align systems, data, process and category support priorities with the Commercial strategy and operating model.
Category Management, Merchandise Planning and Category Support: Establish transparent service expectations, priorities and decision rights that enable effective category execution.
Technology, Data and Operational Functions: Partner with Technology, Data, Finance, Supply Chain, Digital, Store Operations, Quality Assurance, Ethical Sourcing, Legal, Risk and Compliance to deliver effective systems, data and cross-functional processes.
External Technology and Data Partners: Manage relevant platform, software and data providers against agreed service expectations, delivery outcomes and roadmaps.

What success looks like
Service performance: Merchandise systems, reporting, product data and category support services meet agreed quality, availability and service standards.
Operational effectiveness: Work is prioritised transparently, capacity is deployed effectively and critical merchandise activity remains supported through changing demand.
Data and control: Merchandise data and reporting are accurate, complete, timely and supported by effective ownership and controls.
Technology performance: Core merchandise platforms are reliable, issues are resolved promptly and recurring problems are addressed at their source.
Improvement outcomes: Process and automation initiatives reduce cycle time, rework and manual effort,



with benefits measured and sustained.
Leadership and stakeholder confidence: Leaders are effective, team capability is sustainable and stakeholders have confidence in the services provided by the function
Demonstrates behaviours aligned to Officeworks values, contributing to a respectful, inclusive and high-performing culture.

How you will lead
Leader of Leaders
Leads a culture based on our Officeworks values and behaviours
Builds capability and delivers results across a diverse global workforce.
Leads for the future, thinking Officeworks wide with a strategic commercial mindset
Demonstrates resilience, has determination and drive to persist through significant challenges
Is self-aware; has humility and is self-reflective; understands how to bring out the best in self and others
Strong sense of personal and team accountability, drives a genuine commitment to their teams and individual development
Proactively contributes to a safe working setting, leads and manages appropriately if there is unsafe conditions or inappropriate behaviour
Operates in line with applicable Officeworks company policies and Code of Conduct
Strong sense of personal and team accountability, drives a genuine commitment to their teams and individual development
Builds inclusive teams and creates an environment where diverse perspectives, equitable opportunities and respectful behaviours enable team and business performance

Qualifications and work experience
Essential
Education: Tertiary qualification in Information Systems, Data Analytics, Business, Commerce or a related discipline (or equivalent senior merchandise systems experience).
Experience: 810+ years of experience in merchandise systems, reporting, data governance, process improvement, or a related commercial technology function.
Process improvement: Demonstrated experience improving workflows, implementing automation and embedding new systems or ways of working
Technical Mastery: Advanced knowledge of merchandise enterprise systems, data structures, PIM architectures, and reporting platforms.
Governance Expertise: Strong understanding of data governance, data quality management, controls, and IT service delivery frameworks.
Continuous Improvement: Practical experience in workflow optimization, process automation, system integration, and agile delivery methodologies.
Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable technology, analytics, and data delivery priorities.
Preferred
Hands-on exposure to core retail enterprise platforms including STIBO/PIM, SAP ERP/S4HANA, Snowflake, or modern BI toolsets.
Experience within a large-scale omnichannel retail, consumer goods, or multi-site commercial business environment

📌 Merchandise Systems & Data Manager (Bengaluru)
🏢 Officeworks
📍 Bengaluru