Category/Area of Expertise: Merchandising Job Requisition: 416370 Address: USA-ME-Scarborough-145 Pleasant Hill Rd Store Code: HAN Produce Merch SGA (2762619) Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine way back in 1883, and is still connected to those early roots as a local market. Hannaford actively seeks out farmers and producers to join our Local program which celebrates not only local foods, but the preservation of farmland, local traditions and local jobs. The connection we have to the source of our fresh foods is core to the way we do business, becoming the first major supermarket in the United States to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested. Hannaford offers a flexible work environment, with a hybrid work expectation for Home Office based positions of being physically present in the Scarborough Home Office 3 days a week. This expectation serves to nourish our culture, showcase care through flexibility, and strengthen our partnerships. Responsible for the planning and development of merchandising objectives pertaining to local, in collaboration with Merchandising, Category, Pricing, Marketing, Community Relations and Retail Operations. Responsible for the implementation and communication of department programs that support the banners overall go to market strategies. Responsible for developing and maintaining processes in support of local assortment with collaboration from Food Safety, Legal and Contract Management. Influence and support strategy, objectives and goals for Local. Primary Duties and Responsibilities: • Lead and facilitate collaboration with Merchandising, Category, Pricing, Retail and Marketing in development, implementation and communication in support of local programs, initiatives, tactics and KPIs . • Utilizes industry and Consumer research data to develop strategies for products/categories for recommendations to appropriate Category Manager. • Lead and responsible for development and maintaining of processes with appropriate business partners (i.e. Retail, Category, ILC, Legal) to ensure local vendor and item setup and onboarding, collection of Food Safety, Legal and other required certifications, etc. • Lead and monitor industry and regional competitor trends in local product, merchandising applications/programs, marketing and definitions of local to develop recommendations to support strategy • Develop effective communication of department merchandising programs, procedures, and product information in support of Retail Operations. • Build, update and maintain standard practice training aids related to local, in collaboration with Merchandising. • Work closely with Marketing on local promotional events and ad planning. • Collaborate with Marketing in the development of point of purchase marketing materials and standards. Connect customers to our local suppliers through various Marketing and Merchandising tactics. • Responsible and oversee retail and vendor local item request process and standards. • Review all local item/vendor requests for legal and food safety requirements and process appropriately. • Complete analysis and make recommendations of gaps/areas of need for local item assortment and works across all Categories to achieve assortment strategy/desired vendor partnerships. • Responsible for effective communication with Merchandising as needed to Retail Operations via: daily/weekly communication notes, leadership notes, seasonal and holiday focused communications, new program announcements, Voice of Retail, etc. as it pertains to local. • Helps to build, update and maintain standard practice training aids related to local, in collaboration with Merchandising. Assists in educating internal/external business partners on local program processes and policies Be a strong advocate for local products and what our customers want to experience for local. • Build and maintain solid relationships with Local vendor partners and external agricultural resource partners. • Represent the organization at Local trade events (Ag Shows, Dairy Producer's events, etc.) • Lead the GAP/Food Safety Certification Local Grower Subsidy Program in collaboration with Category, Food Safety, Legal and Media Relations. • Collaborate on the development of new prototype/remodel work in relation to local merchandising; to include layout, equipment selection, signage, and marketing materials. • Conduct frequent store visits to monitor overall execution of business plans for local. • Visit local vendor partners farms/businesses. • Provide support for motivating peers and function as an effective promoter of change and growth. • Provide support for the implementation of a continuous improvement culture • Serve as a member of key teams and committees as needed • Responsible for the development, talent planning and performance management of associates. • Communicating Banner strategies openly and effectively to teams and the vendor community • Collaborate with cross functional peers to actively seek out new opportunities within and outside of assigned categories in an effort to maximize organizational alignment and achieve optimal portfolio performance. Qualifications and Experience: Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience. • 5-8 years combined experience in retail, merchandising, category, pricing, logistics, supply chain, procurement, and distribution. • Basic Understanding of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety Requirements/Regulations • Basic understanding of local production/farming/harvesting • Knowledge of Fresh and/or Center Store categories. • Experience in leading projects and influencing consensus. • Mature level of knowledge for company, business and industry practices • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite of Programs • Requires travel - typically 8 - 12% Preferred Qualifications: • Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) • Retail Operations experience • Merchandising experience • Category experience • Knowledgeable in Local, State and Federal Regulations relating to local • Experience with local product production/farming/harvesting • Relationship management experience with vendors, brokers and third-party consultants • Negotiation experience • Experience with the following computer programs: SEGA, DSS, PowerBI, JIRA Skills and Abilities: • Ability to provide direct, effective and professional feedback to those not within a direct reporting structure, and across multiple levels of the organization • Ability to influence, lead, teach, and coach across multiple levels of the organization • Ability to effectively build relationships and negotiate and influence across multiple levels of the organization and externally • Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and sustain supportive relationships with others • Ability to manage day to day activity for identified responsibilities • Ability to influence without authority • Ability to work as part of a team • Ability to think innovatively • Demonstrate a personal acceptance of change and the ability to adapt and drive change • Demonstrate an ability to implement and analyze retail business using consumer insights and analyzing trends. • Active listener with an ability to build trust across varying levels of the organization • Ability to work with all levels of management • Excellent organizational, planning, influence, communication and presentation skills • Self-motivated and persuasive in presenting and selling ideas and executing their implementation The Salary Range for this Position is $75,040 -$112,560 Hannaford provides equal opportunity in employment to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), age, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.