Position Overview
The Associate Category Merchandiser is responsible for the coordination and execution of strategic category plans across a smaller desk and assigned categories. Partnering with the Category Manager and Promotional Planning Manager, the Assoc Category Merchandiser will use margin targets and competitive data to provide business insights and recommendations to adjust strategies and tactics to improve sales, simplify execution, and improve profitability for assigned categories.
The Associate Category Merchandiser ensures regional assortment and seasonal merchandising needs are prioritized to drive incremental volume. The Associate Category Merchandiser coordinates product, cost, merchandising tactics, and activities supporting promotions, TPRs, and selling events. The Assoc Category Merchandiser oversees the input of deals and file maintenance data to ensure all programs are executed on time for their assigned desk & categories. Associate Category Merchandiser will work with cross-functional teams to ensure programs are on trend with the industry, reflective of the regional mix, and focused on delivering the highest quality, relevant products, and best cost.
Job Description
- Understand and apply analytical and quantitative insights to support annual category strategy development, including supporting the planning process, competitive intelligence, sales data, and syndicated data to provide actionable insights, trends, and opportunities to drive incremental sales and margin
- Oversee the execution of assigned vendor programs, allowances, performance funds, incentives, forward buys, direct plan ship options maintaining efficiency incentives as a competitive advantage. Partners with the Commercial team and Promotional Planning team in their assigned region to implement sales programs and support local events
- Responsible for the oversight and execution of category tactics, milestones, and deliverables, including deal submissions, demand planning, new item introduction, and key selling events.
- Perform SKU rationalization of categories and work with suppliers to continually offer the right assortment to customers and to continually understand commodity market risk for their assigned desk.
- Serves as the primary point of escalation for assigned vendor/broker tactics and planning day to day, including deal submission and approval, and working with manufacturing, Buying, and Transportation to resolve OOS (out-of-stock issues) for their assigned desk
- Monitors and tracks Trade Fund planning execution (passed and retained), flyer income, incentives, forward buys, truckload opportunities, and income and escalates variances to the Sr Category Merchandiser for resolution.
- Participate in cross-functional planning to support corporate and regional growth strategies.
- Travel Required: No
Environment
- Office: Office Temperature (65F to 75F)
Skills
- Solid analytical and quantitative skills, comfortable with complex financial data; Experienced in category planning
- Solid understanding of financial methodology to determine costs, develop annual business plans and oversee daily metrics (sales, volume, inventory, costs, etc.)
- Ability to present results of analysis, data models, and other projects to management concisely
- Strong communications skills – speaking, writing, presenting; Strong planning and time management skills
- High threshold for working in ambiguous, fast paced environments – figuring it out and adapting as you go
- Ability to operate simultaneously and effectively in both tactical and strategic modes
- Will need to travel to minimum of 2 food shows a year
Years Of Experience
- 0-2 years working knowledge of retail/supermarket, wholesale, and/or CPG experience. Bachelor's in Business, Finance, or Marketing required.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree - Business, Bachelor's Degree - Finance, Bachelor's Degree - Marketing
Shift
1st Shift (United States of America)
Company
C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC
About Our Company
C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC is an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 100,000 different products. C&S also proudly operates and supports corporate grocery stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast. We are an engaged corporate citizen, supporting causes that positively impact our communities.
Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC. C&S Wholesale Grocers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. The Company provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.