Meat Merchandiser

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the Shop Rite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, Fairway Markets, Gourmet Garage® and Di Bruno Bros., and Morton Williams® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best in class procurement practices.

As a member of the Retail Operations team, you will be responsible for consulting with our Shop Rite and Alternate Banner Members, store management and retail staff with regard to the operations and merchandising of our Meat Departments. You will consult with our Members, retail staff and subsidiaries on all innovative/state of the art merchandising strategies and technological advances to ensure long-term growth and profitability.

A successful merchandiser analyzes market trends, understands the importance of seasonality and creativity in the craft. You will counsel our stores with regard to departmental sales, gross profit, shrink, product quality, training and customer service. This is accomplished through the establishment of Member/Store specific business plans which enhance market share, build sales, and ensure profitability in their respective trade areas.

This specialist will conduct store visits to ensure merchandising standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place in order to deliver consistent execution and financial results by leading and coaching for improvement. This individual share best practices throughout the cooperative. In addition, this merchandiser will also be charged with the implementation and successful execution of all resets, remodels, new store setups and openings.

The preferred candidate with reside in central NJ.

• Direct and consult our Shop Rite and Alternate Banner Members on all innovative/state of the art merchandising strategies and technological advances to ensure long-term growth and profitability.
• This is accomplished through the establishment of Member/Store specific business plans which enhance market share, build sales, and ensure profitability in their respective trade areas.
• Charged with the implementation and successful execution of all resets, remodels, new store setups and openings.
• Counsel our stores with regard to departmental sales, gross profit, shrink, product quality, training and customer service.

• Four year college degree strongly preferred. Equivalent retail supermarket experience will be considered in lieu of college degree.
• Minimum 3 years in Meat Department management / supervisory experience in operations and merchandising
• Minimum 5 years Meat cutting experience.
• Refined organizational and problem solving skills; able to develop ideas and procedures
• Strong time management skills; must be able to follow through on multiple projects and meet aggressive deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to convey information clearly and concisely to various audiences
• Expertise in processes and utilization of reports that drive retail excellence within our Meat Departments
• Ability to train and coach associates at store level in Meat operations and merchandising standards
• Proficiency in taking and reviewing store inventory
• Knowledge of retail operations related to sales, gross profit, shrink, labor requirements and retail merchandising
• Extensive production equipment knowledge and department design skills
• Proficiency in Microstrategy, Production Planning, ARIA and Rapid
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Strong technical, analytical, leadership, customer service and P.C. skills as demonstrated by previous work experience.
• Ability to display and teach customer service excellence at store level.
• Knowledge…