Senior Specialist, Merchandising

The Merchandising Senior Specialist supports merchandising activities across onboard, shoreside, and digital retail channels to help drive revenue, guest engagement, and brand consistency. This role contributes to product development, assortment planning, visual merchandising execution, and promotional activities while leveraging data insights to support performance optimization.

Essential Functions:

Merchandising Strategy and Product Development

• Supports product development and merchandising activities across core and expanded retail categories, including contributing to concept development, vendor coordination, assortment planning, and lifecycle management. Assists in developing product briefs, identifying trends, and supporting new product opportunities aligned with brand standards and business goals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Vendor Management and Negotiation

• Coordinates vendor-related activities, including supporting sourcing, onboarding, and ongoing vendor communication. Assists with pricing and cost analyses and contributes to vendor discussions and line reviews by preparing data, insights, and supporting materials. Supports vendor performance monitoring and issue resolution to maintain product quality and supply continuity.

Category Management and Assortment Planning

• Supports category strategies by analyzing sales performance, guest preferences, and market trends to inform assortment, pricing, and placement decisions. Assists in maintaining assortment grids and merchandising plans by ship, region, and channel, contributing to efforts to improve revenue and guest satisfaction.

Visual Merchandising and Retail Execution

• Supports the development and execution of visual merchandising standards, including planograms, product placement, and presentation guidelines. Partners with fleet and operations teams to assist in implementation and consistency across shipboard and digital environments. Contributes to training, communication, and continuous improvement of visual merchandising practices.

Inventory Management and Forecasting

• Monitors and analyzes inventory performance using key metrics such as sell-through, supply levels, and product lifecycle indicators. Identifies trends and supports inventory-related recommendations, collaborating with supply chain and planning teams to assist with forecast alignment, replenishment, and inventory optimization.

Marketing, Promotions, and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supports the development and execution of promotional strategies, pricing initiatives, and product launches by leveraging performance data and market insights. Collaborates with marketing, digital, legal, and operational partners to support alignment and effective execution of campaigns and retail initiatives across channels.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Scope:

Operates within the Guest Commerce Retail function, supporting merchandising processes and initiatives across shipboard and shoreside operations. Contributes within defined product categories and merchandising activities across physical and digital channels. Works collaboratively with cross-functional partners to support execution, alignment, and consistency across retail programs.

Problem solving:

Analytical and problem-solving skills apply to support merchandising decisions involving factors such as demand trends, inventory performance, and guest preferences. Evaluates data, identifies potential risks or opportunities, and contributes to recommendations that support business and operational objectives. Assists in addressing challenges by collaborating with stakeholders and applying structured, data-informed approaches.

Impact:

Supports category performance, guest experience, and retail outcomes by contributing to merchandising activities, product assortment decisions, and promotional execution. Provides data-driven insights and recommendations that support improvements in assortment performance, inventory efficiency, and overall retail execution across channels.

Leadership:

Partners with cross-functional teams across shipboard and shoreside operations to support merchandising initiatives and ensure alignment with business objectives. Builds effective working relationships and contributes to coordination and communication across teams. Provides input and support to initiatives without direct accountability for cross-functional outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Retail Management, Supply Chain, Analytics, or a related field

• 4+ years of experience in retail merchandising, buying, or category management within a multi-channel environment. Travel industry preferred.

• Strong knowledge of retail merchandising, including product development, assortment planning, pricing, and visual merchandising principles

• Understanding of inventory management, demand forecasting, and supply chain processes

• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies

• Proficiency in Excel and relevant merchandising, planning, or reporting systems

• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills with the ability to influence outcomes

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey insights to cross-functional stakeholders

• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across matrixed teams and influence without direct authority

• High level of organization and attention to detail

• Ability to adapt to change, leverage new technologies, and drive continuous process improvement

• Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset

Travel:

Work Conditions:Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.   

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 

  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage  
• Financial Benefits: 
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 
• Paid Time Off 
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.  
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   
• Other Benefits 
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement  
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus 

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