RACHEL MANGANELLI
Melrose
Summary
Experienced category merchant in the home furnishings and outdoor living categories. Extensive e-commerce and traditional retail experience, as well as product development, trend analysis, brand management and partnership expertise.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
LEAD MERCHANT - PATIO & SEASONAL ACCESSORIES
BJ's Wholesale
Marlborough
04.2025 - Current
- Rebuilt underperforming category assortment utilizing company and customer data, extensive industry knowledge, and a new focus on digital/ecomm in addition to in-club.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new product opportunities, consumer preferences, product placement, and inventory optimization.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing.
- Developed pricing strategies based on competitive analysis and market conditions.
- Monitored sales performance metrics to adjust strategies as needed.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely product availability and best in class assortment.
LEAD MERCHANT - OUTDOOR & UPHOLSTERY, BIRCH LANE
Wayfair LLC
Boston
09.2020 - 04.2025
- Managed revenue across multiple furniture and frequency categories, representing ~30% of Birch Lane's business.
- Grew tail classes in respective categories from 5% to 15% of Birch Lane GRS share in FY2023.
- Strategically managed assortment by assessing price point productivity, identifying style and trend gaps, and optimizing best-sellers. Successfully launch ~20 core collections through product development and strategic sourcing with key partners.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop promotional campaigns that effectively increased category awareness and sales growth.
- Utilized data to analyze competitor activity, market trends, and business performance, informing the development of 3-5 year supplier strategies.
- Developed and implemented new Go-To-Market best practices and processes for Wayfair's Specialty Retail Brands, enhancing product story-telling, refining assortment selection, and fostering improved alignment among key stakeholders and cross-functional support teams.
- Managed two senior buyers by coaching strategic planning, concrete business results and development goals.
SENIOR CATEGORY ASSOCIATE
Wayfair LLC
Boston
09.2017 - 09.2020
- Organized regular meetings with key suppliers to review strategic initiatives and discuss opportunities for collaboration or partnership.
- Analyzed core business performance indicators and partnered closely with cross-functional teams on inventory, merchandising, marketing, operations and profit management to drive business results.
- Managed a portfolio of ~15 suppliers, representing the Specialty Retail Brands and our interests while supporting share growth of key partners.
- Reported on business trends regularly, identifying drivers of soft performance and successfully building roadmaps to right size where necessary.
- Managed Category Associates and Interns, facilitated onboarding, and executed professional development plans.
CATEGORY ASSOCIATE
Wayfair LLC
Boston
06.2015 - 09.2020
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products within the category, ensuring optimal assortment and inventory levels to meet customer demand.
- Drove category growth by maintaining assortment, analyzing business performance and executing 6 month goals.
- Curated selection for sale events, considering style and performance, and negotiated product pricing for inclusion.
- Led partnerships with key suppliers by conducting meetings over the phone and at industry trade shows to review business performance, identifying growth opportunities and reacting to general business needs.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
University of Vermont
Burlington, VTSkills
- Routine Reporting
- Data Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Go to Market Strategy
- Brand Management
- People Manager
- Meeting Management
- G-Suite
- SQL, Looker, QBR
- Miroboard
Timeline
LEAD MERCHANT - PATIO & SEASONAL ACCESSORIES
BJ's Wholesale
04.2025 - Current
LEAD MERCHANT - OUTDOOR & UPHOLSTERY, BIRCH LANE
Wayfair LLC
09.2020 - 04.2025
SENIOR CATEGORY ASSOCIATE
Wayfair LLC
09.2017 - 09.2020
CATEGORY ASSOCIATE
Wayfair LLC
06.2015 - 09.2020
Bachelor of Science -
University of Vermont