Specialist

SUMMARY: The Specialist position displays a high degree of professionalism in representing AWG as a
counselor to our membership in meat merchandising. This position plays a major role in educating the
retailer on AWG programs that drive same store sales to attain maximum profitability. The Specialist is
responsible for developing and implementing promotions and merchandising programs for long term
success. All specialists are cross trained to serve the member store in total store operations but the primary
focus for this position is meat merchandising.

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,
competitiveness 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 making regular planned store calls to support the growth of profitable sales while
         serving as a liaison and communicator between the customer and the company.
     2. Responsible for interpreting the store departmental financial and operating statements and advising
         members on the strengths and weaknesses within the operation.
     3. Performs necessary analysis and planning to assure that the meat merchandising goals, objectives and
         priorities for assigned members are established and met within time limits.
     4. Assist in the development of meat case allocation programs, i.e., planograms.
     5. 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.
     6. Responsible for market analysis of the competitor's meat merchandising strategies with the ability to
         analyze the impact and provide advice on countering measures.
     7. This position requires strong communication and computer skills with the ability to use and learn new
         technology. The latest 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.
     8. This position may be responsible for development of the weekly ad while working with members,
         vendors, department managers and buyers to select weekly ad items based on the needs of the
         members.
     9. Responsible for making sure that assigned stores utilize warehouse programs.
   10. Monitor potential sales opportunities, out-buying, inventory control and quality control of our
         members.
   11. 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.
   12. Establish and monitor a retailer timetable for all store openings and remodels involving the meat
         department. Coordinate new member transitions in addition to store openings and remodels.
   13. Coordinate initial and follow up training. May include hands on training within the meat department
         in the use of essential equipment and techniques.

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 experience preferred. Degree not required, but
equivalent work experience in retail preferred; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or
equivalent combination of education and experience.

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of
those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
providing a hardship is not required of the company or membership.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud during remodeling, promotional
activities and open house. This position works in or around freezer, coolers and refrigerated areas. This
position works around meat cutting, packing and heavy machinery.

This position's basic purpose is to use all available resources to assist the Meat Merchandising Department in
continuous growth and financial success..