Director, Center Store

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Chief Merchandising Officer, the Director, Center Store has oversight to center store categories in terms of itemization, innovation and financial performance. Center Store categories include, but are not limited to, Grocery, Beverage, Beer/Wine, Liquor, Dairy, Deli, Frozen Foods, HBA and General Merchandise. The Director of Center qualifies vendors, evaluates bids, and negotiates prices and terms for purchased goods and services. The role is responsible for organizing and articulating the near and long-term strategic vision of the department and communicating that vision across the organization. The Role is also responsible for daily management of the department team of Category Managers, Purchasing Assistants, as well as a dotted line leadership of the schematics, replenishment, merchandising and support teams. The Role requires direct management of some categories.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• General oversight of the performance of the Center Store Department's Category Management Team.
• Negotiate costs, promotions, assortment and other metrics with vendors/suppliers for assigned categories of products managed.
• Analyze sales and profit performance for assigned categories and suppliers/vendors and make appropriate business decisions related to results as well as for the entire department.
• Assist procurement team in appropriate inventory management and creation of purchase orders for products handled through our self-distribution process. Negotiate favorable costs and terms.
• Dedicate appropriate time and effort into the innovation of assortment and merchandising for assigned categories and the department overall.
• Responsible for driving sales growth with new items and promotions.
• Complete full Category Review Process with all assigned categories minimally once per year.
• Accountable to full financial performance of assigned categories and the financial performance of the entire department.
• Provide strong customer service to Team Members.
• Manage relationships with Strategic Vendor Partners and garners support (financial, resources) to sustain the strategic vision.
• Develop Category Business Plans (CBP) for managed categories.
• Work collaboratively with all Team Members to create effective vendor relationships; establish strategic relations with key suppliers and manage vendor funding to drive profitable category growth.
• Approve section sizes and adjacencies in schematic plans for individually managed categories.
• Assist with creation of business case for capital expenditures (shelving, fixtures, and store layout) to present to Senior Management.
• Provide daily performance and administrative leadership of the department team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field or equivalent work experience, preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in product negotiation and procurement.
• Knowledge of supplier and logistic systems, as well as knowledge of the federal grade/product standards and regulations.
• Understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices.
• Ability to integrate with local management, be part of a team, and drive business results.
• Ability to be persuasive and relentless in reinforcing the best interests of the Company.
• Effective communicator, particularly when it comes to discussing Human Resources/Compliance matters with management or the department.
• Ability to work well under pressure and multitask.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS:
The physical demands and work conditions below represent those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Some requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and use the hands to handle objects, tools or controls.
• Successful performance requires vision abilities that include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment is typical of an office and retail store. The noise level ranges from quiet to loud.
• Ability to drive and flexibility to travel to all company locations as required.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.