POSITION SUMMARY:
The President of three sixty Merchandising Solutions leads three sixty as its own operating entity within the Plumbridge Collective portfolio, with full accountability for the P&L, client and Kroger relationship management, and team performance across three sixty’s merchandising, category management, and Retail Media capabilities.
This role owns three sixty’s growth, profitability and operational execution at Kroger.
This is a senior operating leadership role for a Kroger-native executive who can run three sixty as a standalone business, direct the merchandising and category management practice, and integrate emerging capabilities into a unified growth strategy for clients and three sixty.
Success means growing three sixty’s client base and profitability, building a leadership team and culture that reflects three sixty’s standards, and positioning three sixty as Kroger’s most trusted merchandising partner.
This role focuses on four critical areas: 1. P&L and Business Leadership, 2. Client and Kroger Relationship Management, 3. Team Leadership and Culture, and 4. Growth and Market Representation.
- P&L and Business Leadership: Own the three sixty P&L and drive budgeted growth and profitability for clients and the business.
- Financial Oversight and Reporting: Oversee and report on three sixty’s budgetary and financial performance, including analysis of financial statements, sales reports, and performance indicators.
- Contract Negotiation: Negotiate, design, and approve contracts with current and new clients, in coordination with Plumbridge Collective leadership and outside counsel where required.
- Cost and Process Discipline: Identify areas to improve cost efficiency, programs, performance, and internal processes without compromising client service.
- New Business Development: Add new clients and grow existing brand relationships to meet budgeted growth goals for three sixty.
- Client and Kroger Relationship Management: Represent clients and three sixty to Kroger, and serve as the senior point of accountability for the Kroger partnership.
- Kroger Partnership: Professionally and effectively represent three sixty and Plumbridge Collective with Kroger senior leadership and division teams, growing three sixty’s book of business.
- Sales and Category Enablement: Leverage your own expertise and the team’s in new item presentations and sales plan analysis to help Kroger and three sixty’s clients achieve their sales goals.
- Client Strategy: Support Business Managers with creative merchandising ideas and strategic category direction, and develop recommendations that increase client management efficiency and effectiveness.
- Event Representation: Direct three sixty’s participation in trade shows and Kroger events.
- Team Leadership and Culture: Build and lead a high-performing three sixty team consistent with Plumbridge Collective’s employee-ownership culture.
- People Leadership: Own hiring decisions, employee development, and performance management across three sixty.
- Workload and Delegation: Ensure team workload is efficiently delegated and resourced.
- Culture and Engagement: Lead three sixty’s leadership team through the current transition, reinforcing communication, trust, and engagement at every level of the organization.
- Growth and Market Representation: Position three sixty as Kroger’s most trusted merchandising partner and support Plumbridge Collective’s broader growth agenda.
- Capability Integration: Partner with functional leaders, including Retail Media, to ensure new capabilities are integrated into three sixty’s core merchandising and category offering.
- Industry and Brand Presence: Gain and maintain expertise across the categories three sixty serves, and stay current on issues most relevant to Kroger and three sixty.
- Plumbridge Collective Partnership: Serve as a strategic partner to the President of Plumbridge Collective and the board, contributing to enterprise priorities.
MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- In person role requires 4-5 days on site in our Newport, Kentucky office and the ability to travel to Kroger and industry events as needed.
- 15+ years of progressive experience in grocery, CPG, or agency environments, including 7+ years in P&L leadership roles.
- Deep, established relationships within the Kroger ecosystem across divisions and category teams.
- Experience managing and growing a multi-million dollar P&L.
- Proven track record building, leading, and scaling high-performing teams.
- Ability to influence client-facing and internal teams and effectively communicate with senior-level executives, including Kroger and Plumbridge Collective leadership.
- Expert organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with core business tools including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to quickly learn new systems.
DESIRED PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE:
- Experience as a President, General Manager, or senior P&L leader within a Kroger-focused brokerage or merchandising agency.
- Experience integrating new service lines, such as Retail Media or analytics, into a core merchandising business.
- Experience operating within an employee-owned or ESOP company culture.
- M&A or business integration experience.
- Board or governance experience a plus.
MINIMUM PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
- Must be able to:
- Remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time
- Lift 10-30 lbs. occasionally
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:
Key Competencies required to successfully perform this position include:
- Adaptability: Adjusts quickly to changing priorities, processes, and environments.
- Strategic Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships to achieve business goals.
- Building Trust: Earns confidence through credibility, consistency, and sound judgment.
- Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively across audiences and situations.
- Customer Focus: Understands & prioritizes client and Kroger needs.
- Decision Making: Analyzes information and makes timely, well-reasoned decisions.
- Inclusion: Values diverse perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment
- Initiative: Proactively advances objectives and delivers results.
- Leadership: Develops talent, provides direction, and holds teams accountable
- Negotiation: Aligns stakeholders to reach mutually supported outcomes.
- Self-Starter: Prioritizes and executes effectively with minimal supervision.
- Work Standards: Takes ownership and delivers quality results.
