Divisional Merchandising Manager

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Position Summary:_
- Executes product merchandising activities within the assigned division that support goals for the protein category. In alignment with the Regional Merchandising Manager, collaborates and communicates with key stakeholders on the NA category teams, marketing teams, sales teams, supply chain teams and with vendors to ensure a competitive product assortment that meets the unique demands of the local market and executes strategies to achieve sales, margin and brand goals. Communicates and supports the strategic market share growth and product positioning of the division by aligning our Vendor / Broker partner network to direct selling and educational opportunities that support the best interest of the customers we serve. This role serves as the primary point of contact for the regional protein 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.
- Location:_

What We Offer:
- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EAP Benefits after 30 days of employment- FULL flex benefits program- Company matching RRSP- Profit Sharing- Family culture and advancement opportunities
- Essential Functions:_

Communication & Relationship Building- Communicates effectively with category, merchandising and marketing 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 category teams and division marketing and sales teams related to unique market needs.- Builds and leverages effective and collaborative relationships within sales and marketing teams by communicating regularly, including using key channels like the Source 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- Ensures divisional needs are represented as an input into NA Category Management strategy development-
- Interfaces and collaborates with internal and external customers, brokers, and vendors to facilitate accurate information sharing as related to all categories.- Develops and communicates relevant product and vendor information to the divisional sales and marketing teams, in support of protein category strategies and initiatives.- Provides regular communication to divisional sales and marketing teams regarding product issues and price changes.- Provides problem analysis and resolution to customer and DSR on product related concerns.
- Category Management_- Executes NA category management strategies at a divisional level- Implement category go-to market strategies tailored to division execution plan.- Provides Category teams with analysis of division-specific product/vendor needs for Competitive Market Reviews (CMR’s).- Implements division slot management within their designated slot allocation.- Supports division sales leadership, Regional Merchandising Manager and Regional Vendor Owner in all aspects of division category management strategies, key initiatives, and product life‐cycle management process from initial vendor and item sourcing, market introduction and discontinuation/deletion of divisional items- Provides insights, analytics and recommendations in the development of strategies. Provides insight to achieve volume and margin targets for all categories, in support of segmented customer and brand marketing plans.

Vendor/Broker Management- Serves as the primary communication point for the local broker and supplier community.- Drives planning and execution of key strategies and initiatives with internal teams and with the local supplier and broker community in support of Divisional goals and objectives.- Manages vendor and broker local contacts and activity within the company’s CRM tool.- Analyzes business performance of our regional vendor direct sales force and/or broker partnerships- Conducts Vendor / Broker business reviews to align mutual strategies and benchmark performance against partnership growth goals.- Actively seeks feedback of internal teams relative to the satisfaction of broker engagement with internal / external customers
- Cost/Price Management_- Provide feedback on cost for price/national cost within the division to the NA Category and NA Revenue Management teams.
- Supply Chain Support_- Communicate supply chain disruption and resolution to division sales and marketing.- Collaborates with Category teams on category managemen