*REQUIRED: PLEASE ATTACH A RESUME POSITION PURPOSE

The Leader of Produce and Floral plans, develops, and oversees the produce operations including buying, sourcing, merchandising, and advertising functions; develops corporate programs and researches new products to enhance competitive position. This leader ensures that the function meets quality and corporate standards as well as business goals and objectives; operates within federal, state and local guidelines and regulations and directs department staff. This job classification requires in-depth product knowledge and experience in the retail grocery industry, produce, floral, distribution systems, and the ability to strategically manage the Produce and Floral functions to support the Company's mission and goals.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

 

*Directs the development of the sales and merchandising plans, programs and budgets for the Produce and Floral categories to achieve projected sales, profit, market share and performance objectives.  Leads, develops, and executes efficient assortment plans and effective shelf merchandising plans to support sales and profit goals, including global brands in store clusters. Reports on performance improvements as a result of recommended actions. Manages pricing through the development of pricing strategies and rules to optimize margin contribution including leveraging price zones based on competitive requirements. Monitors the performance of categories regularly and accomplishes plan objectives. *Accountable for directing the sourcing, product selection, promotion, and advertising plans of Produce and Floral, ensuring that quality standards and service levels meet daily needs. Conducts analysis of high and low performance at a drill-down level that allows problem identification; develops and implements required changes to increase overall performance. Conducts or participates in meetings with manufacturers and suppliers to evaluate products, equipment, and supplies within an annual supplier planning process. Understands international distribution and planning requirements and pursues cost advantages and opportunities. Conducts international buying trips as needed. Works to identify new assortments or product enhancements for private label or exclusive brands. Interfaces with key suppliers and staff, ensuring quality control, budgets and other requirements are met. Effectively negotiates the best costs with suppliers. Works with suppliers and supply chain to ensure product availability, consistency of supply and service level objectives. Oversees supplier performance with regard to price, quality, assortment and service. Ensures that scorecards for supplier performance are maintained on a quarterly basis. Reviews business opportunities with vendors to negotiate ad programs and cost of goods. Researches, analyzes, and advises operations and merchandising on sales trends, consumer preferences, competitive pricing, promotional activities, seasonal factors, store layout, and product allocation. Measures sales status vs. our competitors. Analyzes a variety of financial pricing reports including performance status to budget in sales, gross margins, estimates sales margins by week and by period; tracks performance by reviewing appropriate reports. Oversees the selection and monitoring of various items and determines distribution method; selects weekly bonus buys. Manages space allocation and audits merchandising plans and results. Oversees entire advertising efforts; determines ad retails and markdowns; reviews trade journals. Creates and solicits seasonal and other promotional events. *Provides guidance to Merchandising Partners and Store Team Leaders ensuring the development and implementation of long-term strategic merchandising plans, programs, and campaigns necessary to achieve projected sales and gross profit objectives. Maintains high level of store awareness through store visits and communication focused on execution quality and efficiency for all merchandising disciplines. Assesses store conditions from a merchandising perspective to gain insights, to identify opportunities, to develop solutions, to reinforce company and category programs, to build rapport with operations and to understand consumer behavior. Prepares cross-functional sales documents to simplify program execution and support timely store planning. Supports replenishment function when required to ensure product availability, consistency of supply and service level objectives and applies cost-of-goods insights to drive increased efficiency. *Responsible for developing unique and innovative advertising and promotional plans in conjunction with Marketing to increase Bashas’ ability to differentiate, gain a competitive advantage, and enhance the shopping experience.  Reports on promotional performance in order to monitor effectiveness of the promotional plan. Leverages global brand differentiation when it is appropriate.  Assesses competitive retailers to understand their strengths and weaknesses and identify opportunities and threats, including retailers in other trade channels. Develops a total sell-through strategy for one-time buy/seasonal items that achieves margin along with a planned markdown process. *Provides leadership that represents Bashas’ Leadership Traits and our values to inspire and empower the team to accomplish work and meet business demands.    Drives the execution of clear goals, metrics, and performance standards consistent with the overall business objectives. Interviews, selects, evaluates, and recognizes team member results and actions. Manages operational and fiscal activities of a department to include staffing levels, budgets and/or financial goals.     *Keeps up to date on trends in the industry and contributes as a representative of Bashas’ leadership with external business partners. 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of seven or more (7+) years of grocery produce management and merchandising experience, with a minimum of five or more (5+) years management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE: Expert knowledge of the concepts, practices, and procedures of buying and merchandising and retail operations. Expert understanding of market trends, global performance and pricing. Budget management. Knowledge of the grocery retail industry to influence sales and merchandising strategy. Experienced in leading cross-functional projects successfully.

 

SKILLS/ABILITIES: Well-developed negotiation, financial and analytical skills including budgeting and data analysis.  Ability to develop strategy and set functional policy and direction. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and motivate internal teams and to gain buy-in through influence.  Aptitude for strategic thinking and problem-solving.  Inquisitive, innovative, collaborative and action oriented.   Motivated by a high growth, fast paced environment and able to comfortably navigate change and transformation.   Committed to our culture of respect and inclusion, valuing others for who they are and the unique contributions they bring. 

 

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

 

Not applicable.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Employees may occasionally experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:

 

Sitting; frequent sedentary work. Viewing computer monitor. Keyboarding. Depending on category supported, may need the ability to taste and consume product in category supported.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

Work is performed in a normal business office environment; requires frequent travel for site visits and meetings including store locations, manufacturing facilities, trade shows and competitor tours. Ability to work extended hours, as required, in support of the Company’s business needs.

 

*Denotes Essential Job Functions