Merchandising Planner

Req ID: 433006

BASIC PURPOSE : The purpose of this position is to support and manage in-store Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Beverage categories for the Food Service team. This position would also support Fresh Kitchen initiatives, such as new program rollouts, from an analytic perspective and category support.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead training and category projects for Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Beverage

Responsible for identifying opportunities to increase margin and manage regular reporting for these categories.

Provide weekly updates to team on reporting improvements and opportunities.

Liaison with Manthan team and Pricebook for these categories.

Reclassification/Organization of categories to allow for efficiencies and speed of service.

VendorLink Management for Fresh Kitchen/Dispensed

By Store

Management of Incoming Products

Management of Outgoing Products

Promotions approval and setup with Pricebook team

Quasar: Incoming Products & Outgoing Products

Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Marketing Projects management

Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Training Projects management

Participate in and support company-wide initiatives—such as major food concept rollouts, LTOs, promotional opportunities and maximization of gross profit dollars for Fresh Kitchen/Dispensed categories.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education:
HS Diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:
Previous experience in retail analytics and vendor management (3 years).

Preferred experience in food or restaurant industry.

Experience managing a project from start to finish.

Excellent customer service and active listening skills

Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills

Demonstrated experience working well in a close team environment, that is very fast-paced and relies on constant collaboration.

Possess a demonstrated ability to determine when to refer issues versus handle them personally

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Skills:
Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Strong Project Management skills

Good oral and verbal communications skills

Team player

Keen attention to detail

Self-motivated

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Strong analytical skills

Ability to work well with team and other departments

Typical Physical Demands:
Scheduling flexibility

Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping

Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds

Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator

Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Job Function(s): Corporate

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, we’ve provided customers with highway hospitality and “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” We’re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets

Speedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialists

Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader

Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert