Center Store Director

THE ROLE

As a leader of our Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, Beer, Wine, & Spirits, Wellness, and Housewares (Center Store) Team, this position is responsible for leading and coordinating the various efforts of the Center Store Team, including establishing and maintaining item selections, retail pricing, space allocation, product supplies, advertised items, and inventory controls. This position works closely with the Vice President, Product in support of all signature, proprietary, and private label products, and directly supervises and manages the Center Store Team.

• Oversees the Center Store Team for the item/vendor selection of company wide promotional items; coordinates the efforts of the Center Store Team concerning program development, implementation, and execution.
• Establishes effective product merchandising standards for all promotional and seasonal products; coordinates the Center Store Team in the development and maintenance of store merchandising maps and calendars.
• Establishes and implements cross-merchandising programs, coordinates with the Center Store Team, Store Directors, Assistant Store Directors, and Department Team Leaders to increase sales and educate guests.
• Manages the process and approves merchandise sets proposed by the Center Store Team; communicates, in a timely manner, merchandise set requirements to the Store Directors and Department Team Leaders.
• Assumes ultimate responsibility for category management of all Center Store product lines; coordinates with the Center Store Team on all areas of category management including item selections, shelf allocations, and retail pricing.
• Assists with selection and implementation of special private label items, direct imports, and exclusive Metropolitan Market products.
• Approves product cost negotiations and processes related to quality control, product shelf-life standards, and compliance for special private label items, direct imports, and exclusive Metropolitan Market products.
• Consults with the Center Store Team and provides approval for special product merchandising and/or preparation equipment.
• In partnership with the Senior Director, Marketing, works to create company wide product, event, and promotional activities. Works with the Senior Director, Marketing to develop and maintain the Company’s Marketing Plan.
• In support of the Company’s Marketing Plan, establishes and coordinates various pricing strategies to achieve overall gross profit objectives; ensures the Center Store Team informs the related Departments and Department Team Leaders of product cost changes.
• Oversees efforts of the Center Store Team to negotiate ad costs and set ad retails; establishes parameters for ad item related retail pricing strategy.
• In partnership with the Directors, Retail Operations, works to ensure the assistance of the Center Store Team with the development and execution of department sales, gross, labor, turns, and supply targets.
• Supports the Operations Team in the maintenance and execution of policies and procedures related to physical inventories.
• Provides appropriate leadership for the Center Store Team and company personnel, in general. Consistently demonstrates effective motivational skills, counseling, interpersonal conflict resolution, problem solving, communication, and sharing of company vision. Effectively builds and maintains morale, motivates and provides feedback, foster a cohesive, productive work environment.
• Coordinates and communicates the activities of the Center Store Team with all other teams throughout the Company.

• Minimum five years of supervisory experience required.
• Minimum five years of proven experience with product management in a related environment required.
• Successful marketing experience in a professional environment strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of successful vendor negotiations preferred.
• Financial statement understanding; successful experience with profit and loss control.
• Knowledge of grocery store operations.
• Demonstrates good judgment. Effectively assesses situations and information, takes appropriate action.
• Strong leadership skills; proven success as a team leader and…