Operational Merchandising Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

• Act as a liaison between Corporate functions, Business Units, and the Sites to provide support and resources to enhance the Market/Sites ability to operate the business and execute flawlessly for the customer. 
• Responsible for cross-functional facilitation for the development and implementation of standardized processes and procedures for Key Corporate Merchandising initiatives along with the metrics to support these initiatives.
• Lead collaboration and communication across Corporate and field teams to streamline processes to increase efficiencies across the enterprise.
• Develop and refine field ready communication of initiatives that cross multiple Markets/Regions/Sites
• Translate corporate strategy into field ready execution plans.
• Manage merchandising field input for all product categories through the entire Category Management process.
• Create and implement unified and standardized processes for USBL Merchandising organization
• Organize and collaborate with Strategic Broker Network (SBN) representatives on both corporate and field initiatives.  

Responsibilities:

• Manage merchandising field input for all product categories through the entire Category Management process
• Develop and monitor metrics and governance processes and procedures to support key corporate initiatives
• Drive communication and collaboration across and between field and corporate cross-functional teams to ensure effective merchandising practices and alignment with all functional areas of the business
• Collaborate with Replenishment team to develop, implement and monitor the planner proficiency process to promote effective utilization of all systems for increased Customer Service Level and Warehouse Efficiencies
• Drive implementation and improvement in assortment management practices by collaborating with field and corporate teams
• Gather field level input to support development, implementation and consistent use of Best Business Practices (BBP) to improve merchandising efficiencies
• Responsible for category performance by mentoring all categories through the Category Management process and gathering and providing all merchandising field feedback to the corporate teams
• Accountable for all item selection activities that support category management events
• Review, update and distribute the Merchandising Playbook Quarterly

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor degree from a 4-year college/university or equivalent combination of education/experience in lieu of a degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions

Experience

• 5+ years experience foodservice management in foodservice distribution preferred.
• Related experience and/or training within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in process development and cross-functional communication

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication (oral, written and listening) skills.
• An ability to develop and implement standardized processes and procedures
• Strong attention to detail and follow up
• Strategic thinking and complex problem solving

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.
• he employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
• Must be able to travel as needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and the level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description supersedes prior job descriptions.