brief role description:
- responsible for driving profitable sales growth of the produce category within a region
- collaborates cross functionally (sales, supply chain, revenue management) and across entities (market, corporate, specialty)
- category expert that provides training, product information, regulatory guidance, and market cost guidance to internal and external customers in support of the produce category.
primary and responsibilities:
category strategy
- align with sms produce teams to execute strategies
- identify category development opportunities, coordinate with sales teams (leaders, specialists, sales consultants) to propose new business
- ensuring expected compliance and proper support of sms produce and freshpoint.
- analyze data and market insights to understand consumer needs and wants
- research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing
- manage site specific market cost decisions on a weekly basis
- collaborating with regional revenue management director and regional vp of merch, utilize available contract programs and resources to provide customer specific pricing for key regional customers
- provide field feedback on strategies including advising on marketing materials to improve sales
provide planning team with forecasts for product demand trends
- coordinating new customer on boarding activities
- addressing the needs and concerns of key cmu/lcc contacts within the region
assortment management
- providing product assortment and sku rationalization recommendations that are aligned with your region demand
- ensure product availability
- design exit strategies for unsuccessful products
category training
- providing sc support through business reviews, customer insight encounters with targeted training and education.
- schedule and manage category sales training of sales consultants
- provide timely and effective communication with sales force including but not limited to market conditions, product quality and availability, new items and applications.
product quality/quality control
- develop and monitor sops ensuring that pick locations are checked daily
- collaborating with operations and food safety teams
- work cross-functionally with qa and operations to generate pdn's - ensure accuracy, timely completion, and submission. ensure resulting claims are tracked and settled appropriately
mitigate expense/shrink
- works with inventory control to manage expiration dating through swms reports.
- works closely with quality assurance lead(s) and in conjunction with operations and transportation management
- establish and maintain accountability that all inbound product is inspected thoroughly
- collaborate with qa and product support advisors to ensure quality and integrity of all inbound and outbound category 11 products
- manage market adherence to gap/gmp compliance
education/experience:
- bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions required. master's degree a plus.
- 3+ years management/professional experience required (5+ years preferred). significant produce industry experience, sales, merchandising and/or operations experience within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment preferred.
- strong written & verbal communications skills required
- strong excel skills preferred
- ability to manage & implement innovative strategies to maximize sales & gross profit potential while driving customer loyalty & ma engagement
skills:
- ability to build high performing teams and enable best practice sharing and support culture
- ability to motivate high-performing teams & enable a culture of best practices
- ability to manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue
- ability to work cross functionally and build relationships across the organization/enterprise
- ability to communicate effectively with individuals of different backgrounds
- collaborative change leader who uses multiple influencing styles to drive change
- analytical thinker who can draw sound business conclusions based on a strong fact base
- ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
