Regional Merchandising Manager

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Position Summary

The Prairies Regional Merchandising Manager manages, develops, and leads the implementation of go-to-market activities to support sales and marketing strategies. Responsible for providing regional merchandising strategic direction and leadership for all categories of products in the assigned region. Collaborates and communicates with key stakeholders on the NA category teams, product support center, marketing teams, sales teams, revenue management and vendors to execute strategies to achieve sales, margin, and brand goals.

The successful candidate can be located in the Calgary, Edmonton, or Winnipeg division.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EFAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
• FULL flex benefits program
• Company matching RRSP
• Family culture
• Advancement opportunities
• Profit Sharing
• 128 year, family owned and operated company history
  
  

Essential Functions

Leadership

• Key liaison to Regional VP, Division GMs and Sales Leadership on key product and merchandising opportunities and issues.
• Supports the strategic market share growth and product positioning of a geographic region by aligning our Vendor / Broker partner network to direct selling and educational opportunities that support the best interest of the customers we serve.
• Ensures engagement of the regional vendor/broker community and is responsible to develop, prioritize, and execute best in class partnership strategies that align with the company’s long range plan and divisional goals.
• Interviews, hires, trains, and retains staff. Conducts bi-annual performance reviews for direct reports, initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with Human Resources.
• Ensures that personal development plans are created and actively managed by each direct report
  
  

Vision & Planning

• Assists the North American Director of Merchandising and Regional and Divisional Sales Leadership and the Division Merchandising Manager with the development and implementation of the Region’s and Associated Divisions, Annual Operating Plans to achieve corporate goals for top-line growth, market share, earnings, RONA and brand penetration.
• Collaborates with NA category teams, revenue management, as well as marketing and sales teams to support organizational strategies, category-specific strategies and divisional go-to-market strategies.
  
  

Communication & Relationship Building

• Communicates effectively with category, merchandising, marketing and revenue management counterparts on issues pertinent to business success, including the Division key performance indicators and category management impact on performance indicators.
• Builds an effective feedback loop with regional merchandising and division marketing and sales teams related to unique market differences.
• Builds and leverages effective and collaborative relationships within sales and marketing teams by communicating regularly and by conducting ride-alongs with front-line sales and marketing employees
  
  

Support Sales & Marketing

• Provide actionable product & vendor related communication that is timely and relevant - New Items, Discontinuations, Item Changes, Supply issues/shortages
• Provide strategic vendor & industry insights
• Understand and be responsive to division-specific sales needs related to assigned category
• Ensures category-specific regional/divisional needs are represented as an input into NA Category Management and CMR strategy development
  
  

Category Management

• Leads execution of NA category management strategies at a regional/divisional level
• Manages a regional product plan for sales, net margin and brand penetration. Monitors performance versus Annual Plan and works with the NA category teams and vendors to take corrective action in order to assure annual plan is achieved.
• Leads the implementation of an end-to-end Category Management process at the regional level that transforms internal and external information and customer insights into a relevant product assortment, net cost, and pricing that increases Net Margin contribution for assigned categories.
• Collaborates with NA category and marketing teams to establish appropriate product assortment selection to attain Sales and Net Margin goals.
• Supports category product lifecycle management, including the selection of new products (both products and product slotting locations), ensuring optimum product mix focused on defined customer needs, operational efficiency, and financial goals as well as product discontinuation/deletions.
• Leads regional and divisional execution of vendor & product transitions
• Leads strategies and execution of initiatives around “Local” and regional product/supplier needs, in collaboration with NA category and marketing.
• Ensures all Divisions work within their slot allocation by temperature zone, where applicable
  
  

Vendor Management

• Manages performance of strategic vendors and their direct sales broker support toward continuous service performance improvement, as part of the overall regional strategy.
• Develops and manages business growth opportunities at the regional level with GFS Specialty Companies.
  
  

Cost/Price Management

• Responsible to ensure implementation of appropriate cost for price/national cost for each division in coordination with the NA Category teams and NA Revenue Management team
• Optimize margin while ensuring a competitive cost for price/national cost to the street for the assigned category of products at each division
  
  

Supply Chain Support

• Support escalation of supply chain disruptions caused by vendor shortages, industry issues, etc. in the assigned region.
• Support removal of aging inventory and liquidation decisions.
  
  

Perpetual Learning & Growth

• Develops and maintains a high level of industry and product expertise to be the primary source of knowledge for assigned categories.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature and attending related conferences, seminars, training, supplier visits, etc. Maintains peer relationships in the field to share issues and ideas.
• Leverages internal and external category data and customer insights to inform decision‐making.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• High School / Equivalent is required
• Bachelor Degree in Business, Marketing or a related field is preferred
• Bi-Lingual, English & French, is preferred
• Valid Passport is preferred for travelling
• At least 5 years previous category management or sales and marketing related experience with an emphasis in product/category knowledge, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is preferred
• Proficient analytical skills to analyze and interpret data related to industry trends, margin performance, pricing, freight rates, customer needs, etc
• Ability to inject creativity, fresh thinking, and new perspectives and to generate new and imaginative ideas.
• Proficient leadership abilities, capable of motivating others and influencing direction without explicit authority.
• Proficient communication skills ‐ both written and verbal ‐ to communicate effectively with a broad‐based team including diverse internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Positive attitude, problem‐solver mentality, willingness to experiment and be creative.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail
• Excellent customer service, mentoring, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must be able to develop, refine, communicate, and implement plans and to set and define goals.
• Must have category, industry and segment knowledge and be able to analyze and interpret data.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of category management, sourcing and procurement, cost and pricing, sales and marketing metrics, strategies and tactics.
• Must have good time management, administration, and organizational skills.
• Must be able to build relationships, network, influence and link resources to plan and execute business practices.
• Must have the ability to multi-task and be able to work “exceptional” hours including evenings and weekends and be able to take on new responsibilities with a strong desire to succeed.
• Develops solutions to complex problems that require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation. Ensures solutions are consistent with organization objectives
  
  

Equipment / Tools / Technology

• Desktop or Laptop computer
• Networked printer/copier/facsimile machine
• Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer)
• Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Drive, Meet, Sites, Groups
• Gordon Food Service Systems
  
  

BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to [email protected] and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.

Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.