Manager, Merchandising, Fresh

This role is responsible to manage the wholesale sales and gross profit for their assigned category and area; establish and maintain relationships with all independent customers that are serviced by the Company, ensure the execution of merchandising and marketing plans necessary to drive sales, and provide staff assistance in the areas of sales calls, procurement and merchandising. 

Here's what you’ll do: 

• Manage assigned fresh merchandiser team; provide oversight to ensure sales and gross profit goals are achieved as well as customer satisfaction. 

• Assure the warehouse meets sales, expenses, gross and net profit objectives while monitoring the sales and quality control teams. 

• Monitors and follows up on operating performance of stores within local territory with specific regard to sales and profit performance of all existing and new products. 

• Analyze and interpret product category data and train others on how to use data to increase sales and maximize profits. Work with the Company’s category/product development managers, industry partners, vendors, brokers, manufacturers, distributors, to bring support to category management programs, including reset activities. 

• Advise Category Management team of product assortment/selection through appropriate analysis such as adding new items or deleting poor performing items to allow Category/Product Development Managers the ability to provide the most appropriate support to members. 

• Serve as the local primary source of information for assigned categories – use information to influence the team and to improve the results. 

• Accountable for area and category department financial budgets in meeting and exceeding sales, distribution, expense, gross margin, overall department profitability and image objectives for banner. 

• Prepare weekly advertising programs from cooperative submissions from the buying area, prepare weekly merchandiser, pricing and forecasts to the buying and replenishment areas. 

• Partner with procurement department to determine the department assortments, product evaluation, advertising, merchandising programs, layout and display standards. 

• Responsible for oversight of quality assurance/inspection team.

• Responsible for department management including staffing, training, performance management and career development of associates, and developing and monitoring department goals. Develop and monitor department budget as required. 

• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and best practices; make recommendations to improve current programs and processes. 

• Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Bachelor's Degree (Required) Business Administration, Merchandising or other related field or equivalent combination of education and/ or experience. 

• Five years Merchandising experience in appropriate category. 

• Experience purchasing and negotiating in a retail or wholesale environment. 

• Two years of supervisory experience. 

• Excellent oral and written communication, financial acumen, strategic problem solving, leadership, analytical skills, and influencing and negotiations skills.  

• Proven experience working across business units to leverage resources and capabilities to accomplish company goals.  

• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint).  

• Experience with Category Management and purchasing systems such as Biceps Purchasing System is a plus.  

• Ability to travel up to 25%.