COMPANY:
A leading national retailer that offers an assortment of merchandise ranging from household cleaners to name brand foods, beauty and health aids, toys, apparel, and more.
REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
This position will report directly to the Senior Vice President of Merchandising and lead an organization of buying professionals.
BASIC FUNCTIONS:
- The Vice President of Merchandising – Grocery is responsible for planning and implementing merchandising activities for the company’s grocery product lines in order to attain revenue and profit objectives.
- Establishes long-range and short-range business strategies, directs the purchase, price, and mix of merchandise, and researches new product and business growth opportunities.
- Plays a key role in the development of marketing and promotional strategies.
- Partners directly with Planning, Allocations, and Replenishment to ensure that in-stock, inventory productivity, and assortment productivity business goals are achieved.
- Works closely with strategy, promotional planning, and merchandise operations to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.
Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
- Drive the Strategy Merchandising Planning (SMP) Process for area of responsibility.
- Directs assortment selection process; reviews assortments for balance of brands, key items, core items, and adherence to strategic and financial objectives.
- Identifies growth opportunities and exit strategies based on business financials, consumer and industry trends, customer research and market penetration strategies, in collaboration with category management and strategy groups.
- Directs successful implementation of merchandising strategies in order to attain revenue, gross profit, and gross margin objectives.
- Partners with Planning to develop fiscal plans, and manage the OTB process.
- Collaborates with supply chain, store operations, merchandise operations, global sourcing, sales promotion, and other support areas where appropriate to develop, communicate, and execute business strategies, and merchandising plans.
- Keeps abreast of important consumer and industry trends (technological, social, economic, demographics) that impact the business or organization.
- Cultivates and sustains an active network of working relationships with diverse groups/individuals both internally and within the vendor community.
- Actively directs the procurement of goods (if applicable) and integrates key marketing, import, finance, store operations, and supply chain resources into one business strategy.
- Sets, communicates, and adheres to high performance standards; takes decisive action with under-performers and continually recognizes and rewards superior performance.
- Directly accountable for the business P&L and manages all controllable expenses.
- Directs uniform merchandising processes, metrics, roles, and responsibilities with performance-based accountabilities and tracking.
- Executes needed approvals for the team.
- Reviews and approves promotional plans.
- Oversees and approves assortment reviews and faster meetings.
- Coaches and develops Divisional Merchandise Managers and Buyers, ensuring growth and readiness for next level position.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or four years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8-10 years related merchandising experience; 10-12 years with a mix of buying, planning, allocations, and store operations responsibilities.
- Strong general management experience; proven track record of owning P&Ls, delivering results, and accomplishing major assignments.
- Strong understanding the complex elements of the merchandising and operational functions at store level; broad understanding of supply chain management and marketing functions.
- Understands consumer value proposition and competitive differentiation.
- Prior management experience of exempt and non-exempt associates.
- Strong retail financial and analytical experience.
COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity, and competitive benefits package.