Manager, Merchandising Execution Lead - Remote

The primary goal of the Mgr Merch Execution Lead is to aggressively manage the merchandising strategy for assigned categories, to include Product Assortment, Costs, Promotional Activity, and Shelf Allocation to drive sales for the region's retail customers. The Mgr Merch Execution Lead is responsible for managing vendor relationships, the vendor funding checkbook and category item assortment to drive sales and margin for UNFI.

• Ability to train and mentor new Merch Execution managers.
• Leadership role(s) in a department wide initiative, communication and successful implementation both within the departments and with supporting teams.
• Representation of the Department and/or Region in a Corporate wide initiative or effort.
• Initiate and implement new sales driving opportunities whether in response to changing needs/environment or to create a new source of excitement/demand through creative merchandising.
• Participate in process of interviewing and hiring new staff.
• Understand workings of department P&L, ability to research and analyze financial metrics and create solutions.
• Leadership in key vendor or broker relations, overseeing planning, communication and successful implementation of sales initiatives and major changes that span multiple CM desks/departments.
• Liaison for key retailers in conjunction with the sales team to strengthen business relationships, work through merchandising opportunities or obstacles and improve customer service and satisfaction
• Develop and manage communication to retail sales team for all selling programs and category management initiatives. Track participation and sales by DC, sales team and retail customer on all selling programs and category management initiatives.
• Ensure that New Items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.
• Champion UNFI Brands+ assortment, manage Brands + role in category and programs as appropriate.
• Maintain relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements. Rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling cost of carrying inventory, shrink and spoilage.
• Responsible for working with Shelf Management to support timely plan-o-gram execution.
• Accurately Manage sell price including vendor cost, freight, BIV and active sell.
• Actively participate in promotional planning process, including Weekly Ads, Selling shows, Region programs, Long Term Promotional Pricing (SED) and Temporary Price Reductions.
• Ad Groups & Ad Item Play, suggested retails, all promotional costs and windows, and any specific requirements of performance are communicated in collaboration with the Sales & Promotion team.
• Negotiate with brokers and vendors on all aspects of category merchandising plans.
• Solicits support to drive profitable sales that meet and exceed retail customer demands and marketplace competition.
• Responsible for proofing all deals, communications, and advertising vehicles for accuracy.
• Perform post promotional analysis to validate plan execution and adjust future plans.
• Provide sales team with retailer needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and participating in meetings, serving as liaison to brokers/vendors as required.
• Collaborate with Corporate Merchandising on local broker and vendor opportunities and concerns. Uphold terms and conditions of all Corporate Vendor Agreements.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Warehouse operations to meet customers service level requirements and maximize sales through proper planning and forecasting.
• Assists in developing purchasing path to insure lowest possible cost of goods and handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals.
• Assists in inventory disposition as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Five (5) years Merchandising Execution Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectre Data, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications).
• Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.

• Basic knowledge of internal Buying system preferred.
• Solid negotiating skills.
• Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people in person, via phone, and via electronic communication.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Computer skills required including…