About the Position:The Fresh Market currently has an opening for a VP of Merchandise Operations for our Store Support Center in Greensboro, NC. This transformational leader defines the long-term Merch Ops strategy and builds the capabilities (planning, analytics, execution, pricing and promotions, and supply chain integration) needed to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Overseeing Merchandise Planning, Merchandise Execution & Space Planning, MDI Pricing & Promotions, and Supply Chain & Logistics, the VP ensures these teams operate as a cohesive, innovative, and future-ready ecosystem.
This role will report to the Chief Merchandising Officer.
What You'll Do:- Lead the enterprise Merch Ops strategy, building the planning, pricing, execution, and supply chain capabilities required to deliver long-term growth and a superior in-store guest experience.
- Oversee Merchandise Planning, Space Planning, Merchandise Execution, Pricing & Promotions, and Supply Chain/Logistics integration to ensure end-to-end operational excellence.
- Drive capability transformation, modernizing systems, data, processes, and organizational structure across the merchandising value chain.
- Establish analytics as a core capability, advancing demand forecasting, price/promo science, inventory optimization, and performance measurement to enable data-driven decisions.
- Improve forecasting, assortment planning, and inventory productivity to maximize sales, margin, and in-stock performance.
- Strengthen in-season and store-level execution through better workflows, automation, communication, and operational alignment to support the guest experience.
- Advance pricing and promotion strategy, improving competitiveness, margin optimization, promo effectiveness, and MDI/MDM data quality.
- Lead Supply Chain and collaborate with distribution partners to enhance product flow, availability, replenishment accuracy, and overall efficiency.
- Champion tool and process development across key merchandising levers (planning, pricing, promotions, space, item/MDI, and execution), balancing enterprise standards with category needs.
- Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Merchandising, Store Operations, IT, Finance, Marketing, and Supply Chain to drive integrated enterprise outcomes.
- Develop and lead a high-performing team, building deep expertise and strong succession pipelines across multiple technical disciplines, ensuring the team has the skills and resources to meet the evolving needs of the business
- Optimize processes through partnership across the enterprise and, where appropriate, with our parent company (Cencosud) to align platforms, standards, and best practices.
Qualifications:At a minimum, what you'll need: - 15+ years of experience in merchandising operations, planning, supply chain, pricing, or related fields.
- Proven experience leading large cross-functional teams and enterprise-level transformation initiatives.
- Strong financial and analytical acumen, with demonstrated ability to optimize sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
- Experience building and deploying new processes, systems, and capabilities within a complex retail environment.
- Executive-level communication, influencing skills, and ability to partner effectively across Merchandising, Operations, Supply Chain, IT, and Finance.
- Demonstrated success leading teams through change and developing strong leadership pipelines.
Preferred qualifications: - Experience in grocery, mass retail, or other high-SKU, high-velocity environments.
- Background in advanced analytics, forecasting platforms, MDM/MDI systems, or planning technologies.
- Proven ability to integrate merchandising and supply chain strategies to drive end-to-end operational improvement.
- Experience leading pricing strategy, promotion optimization, or value-center architecture.
- MBA or advanced degree in business, supply chain, analytics, or related fields.
- Track record of transforming legacy operating models into best-in-class capabilities.
The statements in this job description are provided to describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role. While these statements include the essential functions of the job, they are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. As we work as a team, there may be times team members are needed to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities based on business needs.
#LI-JD1 #LI-HYBRID
