Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...
The Divisional Merchandising Manager is responsible for leading the execution of product merchandising activities within the assigned division that support goals for all categories of products. In alignment with the Regional Merchandising Manager, collaborates and communicates with key stakeholders on the North American category teams, marketing teams, sales teams and with vendors to execute 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 vendor/broker community and is responsible to develop, prioritize, and execute best in class partnership strategies that align with the company’s long range plan and divisional goals.
This position will be required to work out of the Concord NC office a minimum of 3 full days per week.
What you will do:
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
Provide actionable product & vendor related communication that is timely and relevant - New Items, Discontinuations, Item Changes, Supply issues/shortages
Provide strategic vendor & industry insights
Ensures divisional needs are represented as an input into NA Category Management strategy development
Provides relevant product information to divisional CDS 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 all 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 CDS on product related concerns.
Category Management
Executes NA category management strategies at a divisional level
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 (CMR’s).
Implements division slot management within their designated slot allocation.
Supports division sales leadership, Regional Merchandising Manager and Regional Vendor Owner in all aspects of division category management strategies, key initiatives, and product life‐cycle management process from initial vendor and item sourcing, market introduction and discontinuation/deletion of divisionall items
Provides insights, analytics and recommendations in the development of strategies. Provides insight to achieve volume and margin targets for all categories, in support of segmented customer and brand marketing plans.
Vendor/Broker Management
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 broker community in support of Divisional goals and objectives.
Manages vendor and broker local contacts and activity within the company’s 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
Cost/Price Management
Provide feedback on cost for price/national cost within the division to the NA Category and NA Revenue Management teams.
Supply Chain Support
Communicate supply chain disruption and resolution to division sales and marketing.
Collaborates with Category teams on category management activities to ensure the division is within slot allocations
Support removal of aging inventory and liquidation
Perpetual Learning & Growth
Develops and maintains a high level of industry and product expertise to be the primary source of knowledge for all product categories.
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 decision‐making.
Performs other duties as assigned.
When you will work:
Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Hybrid Model: 3 days in office, 2 days remote.
What you’ll bring to the table (Qualifications)
At least 3 years of product / category knowledge or previous marketing experience preferred as typically obtained through a bachelor’s prepared education or or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Bi-lingual in English and French (CA) preferred
Must have basic knowledge of the local market and assigned product categories and marketing segments.
Must have good financial acumen and ability to learn and understand Margin, Pricing, Freight and other related financial metrics
Proficiency in analyzing information; able to use analytics and associated tools (e.g., Excel, Google) in creative ways to tell the product story, garner buy‐in, provide insights and to support decision‐making.
BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.
Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line. Please keep in mind this method is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.
All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.
Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and drug tests all employees.