Job Overview:

The Senior Manager of Center Store Operations role requires strong working knowledge of tools, applications, and processes across COS Departments, enabling the ability to support, coach, and develop Department Managers and store leadership across multiple banners. The Senior Manager of COS Operations supports department standards and P&L performance by partnering with Store Directors, District Managers, and corporate teams to help ensure departments are appropriately full, properly conditioned, fresh, clean, signed, and aligned with the Marketing and Merchandising plan. This role contributes to building bench strength within the departments by supporting training for Department Managers, Assistant Store Directors, and Store Directors. Partners with the Store Director to help ensure company standards and policies are followed.

Job Responsibilities:

• Strong working knowledge across department operations (Dairy, Frozen, Grocery, GM, HBC, and Liquor), with the ability to serve as a resource for store teams.

• In stores 80% or more of their work week to support, coach, and develop Department Managers and staff to increase skillset and capability.

• Support department standards and execution to help maximize sales and profitability: appropriately full and conditioned, fresh, clean, signed, and following the Marketing and Merchandising plan provided by the Corporate Team.

• Identify training and knowledge gaps and partner with store leadership to help close gaps through coaching and follow-up.

• Provide timely feedback on department presentation, cleanliness, and adherence to company policies.

• Communicate clearly with store associates and leadership, responding to questions and concerns in a timely manner.

• Support the implementation of new merchandising programs and strategies by helping ensure store teams have the required information and execute as directed.

• Support opening, closing, and remodeling store activities as assigned.

• Review expenses and partner with store leadership to support achievement of budget expectations.

• Support proper product handling and shrink mitigation practices to help reduce unnecessary shrink.

• Partner with store teams to help maintain efficient workflows in all areas of each COS department, including coolers, freezers, storage areas, and backrooms.

• Additional Responsibilities

• Reviews department staffing levels and provides input to Store Director and District Manager on needs and requirements.

• Provides fact-based marketing and merchandising observations and input back to Corporate Teams.

• Observes competitor activities and communicates relevant insights back to Corporate Teams.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business preferred.

Experience:

• Previous Store Director experience preferred.

•  Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:

• Possess good written and verbal communication skills and deal effectively with a wide variety of people.

• Possess a marketing orientation, good analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Possess math skills to complete straightforward analysis.

• Possess strong coaching and leadership skills with the ability to influence and support others.

• The ability to communicate clear expectations, follow up, and partner with store leadership to support accountability and achievement of company goals.

Work Environment:

Onsite Role: This position requires the associate to perform all duties at one of our UNFI locations, such as a distribution center or office.

Travel (major): Travel is required up to 80% for this position.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.