Director | Category Management Execution

Director | Category Management Execution

Location: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS 66106

Department: Center Store

Responsible for the growth and development of the Convergence strategy, brought to life via Assortment Optimization strategies and execution, as well as the strategy and execution of the AWG Vendor Portal Gateway. The role focuses on leading the Corporate Merchandising and APG teams and working with Category Management teams, AWG Members, AWG Division teams, internal/external retail execution providers, Circana (IRI), and AWG vendor partners.

Essential Functions:

Category Initiatives

• Lead, direct, manage and develop Category Initiatives strategies, business process workflow, execution, performance
• Provide Category Sales leadership and strategic direction to achieve the company’s Convergence initiatives for our members
• Work cross-functionally and effectively with AWG division leadership and Category Sales teams across departments to support needs and successful strategy execution.
• Lead the Corporate Merchandising Supervisor for Category Initiatives in driving the cross-functional process within internal teams, sharing with division partners, tracking participation and communicating internally, to Members and to vendor partners.
• Further develop comprehensive communication tools and processes to keep Divisions, Members, Vendors, and AWG/VMC team members informed and educated about various programs and initiatives
• Partner with Circana (IRI) and Business Analytics Team (BAT) on measuring and reporting effectiveness of Category Initiatives post-set. Develop communications to share with AWG teams, AWG members and vendor partners.

Space Planning

• Lead the strategy and execution of the Space Planning department to fulfill the company Convergence initiatives for the benefit of our members.
• Lead the Sr. Manager, Corporate Merchandising and Acosta team to plan and achieve deadlines and complete all Category Initiatives, Reviews and Refreshes to publish and execute the Planogram Update Calendar (PUC).
• Ensure the team manages the PUC; updating as necessary due to changes in timing or programs to complete; proactively communicating changes to all necessary parties.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on integrating cloud-based software and creating value for members through customized access options

In-Store Shelf Merchandising Programs

• Shelf Execution (One Source Homestore Program and AdHoc Resets ) – Lead the Corporate Merchandising Supervisor in developing more structure and engagement with the One Source shelf-merchandising program; including driving communication and sign-ups with division partners, developing reimbursement opportunities for non-routed stores, creating opportunities for custom programs for key members, partnering with Category Management for vendor engagement, ensuring communication with BAT on updated member equity groups for quarterly billings, etc.
• Provide guidance for development of custom in-store merchandising programs for AWG Members as necessary.
• Partner with Legal and the divisions to create and execute a process for formalizing member’s opting into the program as well as providing notice to leave the program.
• Share progress and updates with leadership, divisions and key vendor partners on all Corporate Merchandising and Convergence communications
• Lead team in developing processes for adhoc resets, as well as communicating to divisions to ensure they are consistently following processes. Share processes with the vendor community.
• Review resources and identify additional in-store merchandising partners as needed.

AWG Vendor Portal Gateway (APG)

• Participate in setting up strategy and further development of the AWG Vendor Portal Gateway (APG) as the one collaborative platform for AWG and vendor partners. Work cross functionally with all merchandising department heads to provide strategy for continuous improvement of the APG.
• Work cross functionally with the CIO and IT leadership team to co-manage the strategic partnership with Circana (IRI) and other third party data relationships, POS and market measurement strategies and execution .
• Partner with VP of Merchandising to ensure vendor subscriptions and renewals are on target
• Lead APG team to drive execution of portal engagement among AWG teammates, vendors, brokers, etc. Guide them in developing enhancements and next steps for reporting, item management, POS and Market Measurement insights, etc.

P&L Management

• Responsible for the budgeting and P&L performance of the Corporate Merchandising cost center, Space Planning and Shelf Merchandising and Execution programs.
• Partner with the Accounting team to drive implementation of fees and reimbursements for One Source shelf merchandising.
• Lead Corporate Merchandising team in managing and submitting all Space Planning and In-Store Merchandising invoicing; reviewing for accuracy. Provide guidance to the Corporate Merchandising supervisor for all fair share billing to vendors for Category Initiatives.
• Lead and optimize billing processes for Space Management and Shelf Merchandising (One Source) programs. Provide direction to the Trade Promotional team in executing vendor billing and backup requests as needed.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education, training, and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge/Skills:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the retail grocery industry
• Marketing/Sales/Merchandising Background
• Merchandising and Marketing experience
• Planning experience as it pertains to item mix, pricing, frequency, etc.
• Category Management Experience
• Strong Business Acumen
• Managing and developing people
• Strategic agility

Abilities:

• Exceptional communication skills - communicate with all levels with AWG teammates, AWG members, AWG/VMC Divisions and executive leadership team.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong technical aptitude with comfort in software navigation.
• Effective relationship-building skills to create and grow professional relationships with AWG Divisions, AWG/VMC Category Management teams, the AWG Leadership team and AWG members
• Highly adaptable and able to manage various tasks while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Ability to develop a budget and Category Execution plans
• Proficient with PowerPoint, Excel, and Word

Experience, Education, and Training: Bachelor's Degree Preferred or comparable work experience required, minimum 7 years in the Grocery/Retail Industry

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Program
• Yearly Holiday Bonus

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving over 1,100 member companies and over 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale Divisions. The consolidated run-rate sales for AWG are $12.3 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, print and digital marketing services, health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmaceutical products, specialty foods, and natural and organic products.