*Location: Dayton & Cincinnati, OH & Northern Indiana location*

Job Overview:

The primary goal of the Manager Merch Execution Lead is to aggressively manage the merchandising strategy for assigned categories, to include Product Assortment, Costs, Promotional Activity, and Shelf Allocation to drive sales for the region’s retail customers. The Manager Merch Execution Lead is responsible for managing vendor relationships, the vendor funding checkbook and category item assortment to drive sales and margin for UNFI.

Job Responsibilities:

•   Ability to train and mentor new Merch Execution managers.

•   Leadership role(s) in a department wide initiative, overseeing planning, communication and successful implementation both within the departments and with supporting teams

•  Representation of the Department and/or Region in a Corporate wide initiative or effort

• Initiate and implement new sales driving opportunities whether in response to changing needs/environment or to create a new source of excitement/demand through creative merchandising

• Participate in process of interviewing and hiring new staff

• Understand workings of department P&L, ability to research and analyze financial metrics and create solutions.

• Leadership in key vendor or broker relations, overseeing planning, communication and successful implementation of sales initiatives and major changes that span multiple CM desks/departments.

• Liaison for key retailers in conjunction with the sales team to strengthen business relationships, work through merchandising opportunities or obstacles and improve customer service and satisfaction

•  Develop category business plans for assigned categories using all available resources, including analysis of both internal and syndicated data, (validated) manufacturer input and expertise, commodity reports, trade/industry news, consumer trends and customer feedback. Measures results and adjusts plans as needed.

•  Develop and manage communication to retail sales team for all selling programs and category management initiatives. Track participation and sales by DC, sales team and retail customer on all selling programs and category management initiatives.

•  Ensure that New Items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.

•  Champion UNFI Brands+ assortment, manage Brands + role in category and programs as appropriate

•  Maintain relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements. Rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling cost of carrying inventory, shrink and spoilage.

•  Responsible for working with Shelf Management to support timely plan-o-gram execution

• Accurately Manage sell price including vendor cost, freight, BIV and active sell

•  Actively participate in promotional planning process, including Weekly Ads, Selling shows, Region programs, Long Term Promotional Pricing (SED) and Temporary Price Reductions. Ad Groups & Ad Item Play, suggested retails, all promotional costs and windows, and any specific requirements of performance are communicated in collaboration with the Sales & Promotion team.

•  Negotiate with brokers and vendors on all aspects of category merchandising plans. Solicits support to drive profitable sales that meet and exceed retail customer demands and marketplace competition.

•  Responsible for proofing all deals, communications, and advertising vehicles for accuracy.

• Perform post promotional analysis to validate plan execution and adjust future plans.

• Provide sales team with retailer needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and participating in meetings, serving as liaison to brokers/vendors as required.

•  Collaborate with Corporate Merchandising on local broker and vendor opportunities and concerns. Uphold terms and conditions of all Corporate Vendor Agreements.

• Collaborate with Procurement and Warehouse operations to meet customers’ service level requirements and maximize sales through proper planning and forecasting. Assists in developing purchasing path to insure lowest possible cost of goods and handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals. Assists in inventory disposition as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Five (5) years Merchandising Execution Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectre Daata, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications)

• Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Basic knowledge of internal Buying system preferred

• Solid negotiating skills

• Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people in person, via phone, and via electronic communication.

• Ability to influence without authority

•  Computer skills required including spreadsheet and database tools and electronic communication tools. Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities. Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.

•  Analytical skills to measure sales performance, item performance within category and overall vendor funds management performance

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

•  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.

Travel (minor):

• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.