Grocery Merchandising Manager

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! Heres a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. Executes product merchandising activities within the assigned division that support goals for the protein alignment with the Regional Merchandising Manager collaborates and communicates with key stakeholders on the NA category teams marketing teams sales teams supply chain teams and with vendors to ensure a competitive product assortment that meets the unique demands of the local market and executes strategies to achieve sales margin and brand goals. Communicates and supports the strategic market share growth and product positioning of the division by aligning our Vendor / Broker partner network to direct selling and educational opportunities that support the best interest of the customers we serve. This role serves as the primary point of contact for the regional protein vendor/broker community and is responsible to develop prioritize and execute best in class partnership strategies that align with the companys long range plan and divisional goals.

Travel:
Position currently requires 10% of travel to other distribution centers.

Medical Dental Prescription Drug and EAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
Communication & Relationship Building
Communicates effectively with category merchandising and marketing counterparts on issues pertinent to business success including the Division key performance indicators and category management impact on performance indicators.
Builds an effective feedback loop with category teams and division marketing and sales teams related to unique market needs.
Builds and leverages effective and collaborative relationships within sales and marketing teams by communicating regularly including using key channels like the Source and by conducting ride-alongs with front-line sales and marketing employees

Support Sales & Marketing
Provides relevant product information to divisional DSR and Marketing team via phone email the Source and other communication channels as needed.
Interfaces and collaborates with internal and external customers brokers and vendors to facilitate accurate information sharing as related to all categories.
Develops and communicates relevant product and vendor information to the divisional sales and marketing teams in support of protein category strategies and initiatives.
Provides regular communication to divisional sales and marketing teams regarding product issues and price changes.
Provides problem analysis and resolution to customer and DSR on product related concerns.

Implement category go-to market strategies tailored to division execution plan.
Provides Category teams with analysis of division-specific product/vendor needs for Competitive Market Reviews (CMRs).
Supports division sales leadership Regional Merchandising Manager and Regional Vendor Owner in all aspects of division category management strategies key initiatives and product lifecycle management process from initial vendor and item sourcing market introduction and discontinuation/deletion of divisional items
Provides insight to achieve volume and margin targets for all categories in support of segmented customer and brand marketing plans.

Serves as the primary communication point for the local broker and supplier community.
Drives planning and execution of key strategies and initiatives with internal teams and with the local supplier and brokercommunity in support of Divisional goals and objectives.
Manages vendor and broker local contacts and activity within the companys CRM tool.
Analyzes business performance of our regional vendor direct sales force and/or broker partnerships
Conducts Vendor / Broker business reviews to align mutual strategies and benchmark performance against partnership growth goals.
Actively seeks feedback of internal teams relative to the satisfaction of broker engagement with internal / external customers

Provide feedback on cost for price/national cost within the division to the NA Category and NA Revenue Management teams.

Communicate supply chain disruption and resolution to division sales and marketing.
Support removal of aging inventory and liquidation

Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books journals and other literature and attending related conferences seminars training supplier visits etc. Maintains peer relationships in the field to share issues and ideas.
Leverages internal and external category data and customer insights to inform decisionmaking.
Executes Protein sourcing plans that enable category growth and achieve sales margin and brand goals in a specified division(s).
Ensure market relevance in portfolio and competitiveness by proactively utilizing the proper mix of sourcing solutions including national vendor partners strategic alliances specialty companies and other local/regional product sources.
Manage higher risk inventory and work closely with strategic alliance buyers merchandising supply chain and divisional leadership to analyze volume distribution centre capacity risk and market conditions before directing large buys.
Provide support to the sales and marketing teams with product sourcing and opportunity buys.
Continuously monitor market pricing and conditions to make timely buying decisions
Stay informed on market offers and vendor opportunities.
Lead contract negotiations with new regional protein suppliers in collaboration with strategic procurement and category.
Align with the North American Category Management team to represent the unique needs of the divisions protein customers ensuring regional strategies are balanced with national strategies.
Manage the full product life cycle for all protein items from initial sourcing and market introduction to discontinuation.
Provide strategic insights and recommendations to sales and marketing teams on new protein items market opportunities and category performance

Bachelor Degree in Business Marketing or a related field preferred
At least 3 years of product / category knowledge with a specific focus on the protein category or previous marketing experience preferred as typically obtained through a bachelors prepared education or or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.
Must have deep product knowledge of the protein category including an understanding of market dynamics supply chains and quality standards for meat seafood and poultry.
Must have extensive knowledge of commodity markets and the ability to interpret and react to market fluctuations for perishable goods.
Exceptional collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including Category Limson vendors and the broader sales and merchandising teams.
Must have basic knowledge of local market(s) and marketing segments.
Ability to understand follow and create processes in order to complete projects.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes customer needs assessment meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Excel Google) in creative ways to tell the product story garner buyin provide insights and to support decisionmaking.
Must have good financial acumen and ability to learn and understand Margin Pricing Freight and other related financial metrics
Positive attitude problemsolver mentality willingness to experiment and be creative.
Must have the ability to multi-task and be able to work exceptional hours including evenings and weekends and be able to take on new responsibilities with a strong desire to succeed.
Experience with SAP an asset

Desktop or laptop computer
Google Apps (Gmail Calendar Sites Drive Docs Groups)
Microsoft Office products (Excel Word PowerPoint Internet Explorer)
Networked printer/copier/facsimile machine
Gordon Food Service systems - including Business Analytics cost pricing and reporting systems

We thank all applicants for their interest however only those selected for the next stage will be contacted. Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer who strives to provide an inclusive work environment that involves everyone and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment or in terms or conditions of employment without regard to any enumerated or analogous grounds of discrimination including race religious beliefs colour gender gender identity gender expression physical disability mental disability age ancestry place of origin marital status source of income family status sexual orientation or status as a qualified individual with disability.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability please submit your request to and use the words Accommodation Request in your subject line.