Manager, Merchandising Bakery

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague._

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued - as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

**THIS POSITION IS FOR THE FORTINOS CORPORATE OFFICE**

**General Purpose**

The Merchandising Manager is a pivotal role which provides required support to Senior Director, District Manager and Franchisees to develop and maintain merchandising strategies to meet organizational objectives. Effective management of all merchandising to ensure great execution on both merchandising standards in order to achieve growth in sales, profit and market share

**Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities**
- Develop action/business plans for stores based on P & L to increase sales, market share and department contributions.
- Provide guidance to Franchisees and department managers. This would include assisting with training requirements and level of coaching necessary to deliver expectations, assist when asked in providing feedback of performance and areas for improvement and development, assist with setting specific department standards, specifications (skills set and qualifications).
- Provide ongoing feedback to stores, DM’s for such things as balancing the skills set of the department to the volume/layout of the stores, assisting in succession planning discussions based on observations.
- Ensure a high standard of planogram compliance and completed to the standard of execution that is communicated. Ensure department adherence to audits i.e. LAR, H & S, Food Safety etc.
- Working knowledge of all departments within their area of responsibility.
- Identify areas of opportunities and prioritize stores that will receive focused Specialist support.
- Identify list of bottom 20% of stores in area and develop and execute an improvement plan with the assistance of the Director and Sr. Director.
- Working with assigned Specialists to ensure department adherence to company policies/procedures and consistent execution process and strategy. Determine how variances from policy or strategy should be addressed.
- Accurate inputting of information for ads and JDA and retail price adjustments.
- Required to analyze department performance and provide feedback. Develop action plans to address any gaps in performance or procedure. Follow up with key stakeholders on prior feedback/action plans in order to ensure continuous department improvement. Keep Sr. Director and District Managers abreast of progress on improvement plans in their respective stores.
- Identify stores that require priority assistance reducing shrink, develop action plans with Specialist, and Franchisees to address this issue, and work with them to implement the action plan.
- Work with others on customer complaints and requests for new products to ensure high levels of customer service.
- Clear communication to stores for directives and updates.
- Develop vendor relationships
- Ensure that budgets are met and that targets for CLASS measurements are achieved.
- As required, help resolve external issues such as vendor credits and internal issues such as labour scheduling and interpersonal conflicts.
- Track the rollout of new standards and new store openings.
- As required, assist with new store openings and refurbishments.
- Others duties as required.

**Education and Experience**
- Retail management experience.
- Operational experience as a specialist, preferably in Bakery
- Excellent problem solving, communication, interpersonal and team-building skills.
- Leading and motivating others.
- Minimum 5 years managerial experience.
- Merchandising and operations experience would be an asset.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Bakery operations.
- Ability to develop and execute short and long term plans in line with corporate strategy.
- Excellent Communication skills.
- Must have Food Safety training.
- Willingness to follow a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Must be adaptable to work in a rapidly changing environment.
- Must have a good working knowledge of the collective agreement, Health and Safety policies, practices and laws.
- Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.

**Key Competencies**
- Valid Ontario drivers license with ability to travel within Ontario on a semi-regular basis to support store functions.
- Strong problem solving skills including experience formulating and executing a