District Manager

SUMMARY:  The District Manager position displays a high degree of professionalism in representing AWG to our membership in the Member Services Department. This position plays a major role in educating the retailer on AWG programs that drive same store sales to attain maximum profitability.  The District Manager is responsible for developing and implementing promotions and merchandising programs for long term success for a given group or district and acts as a coordinator of the warehouse and the member’s operation. This Manager advises and consults with the membership and the sales team within their group/district to help the members become more effective and efficient operators. All District Sales Managers are cross trained to serve the member store in total store operations.

This position supports AWG’s mission to remain firmly committed to our long-established mission statement: 

“Our mission is to ensure the success of our member retailers and provide opportunities to our employees. This will be accomplished by satisfying the customers’, and our member retailers’, needs for quality supermarket merchandise and superior support services.  We will do this with high quality employees whose mission is to provide the lowest possible cost of goods in order to ensure our members profitability, competiveness and continued growth.”

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the department head or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position. It is the responsibility of each individual at AWG to provide ultimate customer service to our members to support their efforts in increasing same store sales and profits.

1. Responsible for coordinating, communicating, and overseeing directives from the member’s senior management team to all AWG sales support team members (i.e.: all perishable specialist, grocery specialist).

1. Work with all AWG support team assigned to the member’s group to ensure the objectives of the Member store group’s senior management team are achieved.

1. Coordinate and oversee with the member group’s senior management team all store resets, remodels, upgrades, new store builds and acquisitions.

1. Work with member to support all advertising activity through in house our outside ad groups
2. Responsible for making regular planned store visits/calls to support the growth of profitable sales while serving as a liaison and communicator between the customer and the company. 

1. Responsible for interpreting the store departmental financial and operating statements and advising members on the strengths and weaknesses within the operation.

1. Performs necessary analysis and planning to assure that goals, objectives and priorities for assigned members are established and met within time limits.

1. Work as a member of the AWG sales team so the total job responsibilities are met. Actions must always stress a sense of cooperation, integrity, tact and consideration with our members, associates and division management.

1. Responsible for market analysis of the competitor's merchandising strategies with the ability to analyze the impact and provide advice on countering measures.

1. This position requires strong communication, training and computer skills with the ability to use and learn new technology. The Flawless Execution method will be utilized in all planning and communication.  Management will be kept informed on planning, analysis, work performed and results. All records required by management must be complete, accurate and submitted on time.  

1. This position requires knowledge of systems such as; POS, Pricing, Handhelds, Reporting and Training in such systems, to assist the member in daily maintenance and usage to maximize sales and margin. 

1. Responsible for making sure that assigned stores utilize AWG programs (Solos, Web Sales, Close Dated Report, Hot Sheets, Convergence and Value Proposition.

1. Support all food show activity as may be assigned for the benefit of all members but also coordinate food show functions with member’s senior management team to insure full benefit of show is recognized by member.

1. Monitor potential sales opportunities, out-buying, inventory control and quality control of our members.

1. Must be able to read and comprehend all essential documentation, AWG Programs, Policies, Sanitation, FDA, C.O.O.L. legislation, and other state and federal requirements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation will be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense.  The accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Retail grocery store or grocery wholesale experience preferred.  Degree not required, but equivalent work experience in retail preferred; minimum of 5 years related experience in management in the preferred fields of grocery retail or wholesale; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven track record of working independently.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and speak fluent English and comprehend operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to make presentations effectively before small and large groups.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Possess the ability to read and interpret departmental financial and operating statements. Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. 

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  Posses the ability to reason with members and gain mutual respect with a common goal of increasing sales and profitability.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  Valid Drivers License

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. These skills are all used in servicing our member retail stores in promotional and merchandising events. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  All visual skills are used in merchandising in promotional events and food shows.