Lead Specialist Category Operations Target Plus

Job Summary: 
As a Lead Operations Specialist, you will support Target’s curated marketplace: Target Plus to grow across various functions. This role combines data-driven decision-making, operational support, and process improvement, with a focus on maximizing GMV and ensuring smooth operations for both internal and external stakeholders. You will also identify areas for policy improvement, streamline workflows, and train team members, making a significant impact in a dynamic, agile environment. 

Note: As part of an agile organization, responsibilities may evolve over time based on changing business needs. 

Key Responsibilities across Functional Areas: 

Partner Acquisition & Vetting 

Review and assess new partners, conducting opportunity and assortment analyses to grow the partner base and expand product offerings. 

Support accurate and timely lead generation activities, including partner vetting, opportunity analysis, and assortment review. 

Assortment Expansion & Item Management 

Approve and launch new assortment items, ensuring alignment with business goals and conduct analyses to identify growth opportunities. 

Perform weekly/monthly reporting on assortment health scores and item performance to optimize product visibility and sales.

Inventory & Sales Management 

Advise partners on inventory levels based on seasonality, trends, and sales performance, ensuring healthy stock levels. 

Monitor replenishment rates, out-of-stock trends, and provide recommendations to optimize inventory for maximum sales impact. 

Return Dispute Resolution 

Resolve return dispute cases by determining accurate payout amounts and ensure a timely response to partner queries. 

Identify trends in return disputes, support regular business updates, collaborate with BU’s and fraud prevention teams to create abuse prevention guidelines.

Partner Reporting 

Support weekly/monthly data reporting, competitor analysis, and dashboard automation, enhancing decision-making for partners and internal teams. 

Promotional Execution 

Analyze promo seasonality, identifying relevant promotional opportunities to support partner growth and assess promotional impact on sales and profitability. 

Provide post-promotion analysis and recommend adjustments for future campaigns based on data insights. 

Process Improvement & Project Management 

Proactively identify and recommend improvements in operations, partner policies, and dispute resolution processes. 

Lead at least one project aimed at enhancing efficiency or supporting partner growth; document processes to support smooth knowledge transfer for new hires.

Training & Knowledge Sharing 

Support new team members with onboarding and training on dispute resolution, platform policies, and operational best practices. 

Regularly provide updates to analysts and stakeholders on business operations, workload, and progress in team meetings and forums. 

About You: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or a related field. 

• 2+ years of experience in inventory management, e-commerce operations, digital merchandising, or sales operations. 

• Proficiency in data analytics, Excel, and experience with process automation is a plus. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across teams. 

High attention to detail, curiosity, and a proactive approach, with a bias for action in a fast-paced, agile environment.