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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:

The successful candidate must be able to commute to the Calgary or Edmonton Distribution Center for the current 4 days a week minimum.

Travel:

Position currently requires 10% of travel to other distribution centers.

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

• Provides relevant product information to divisional DSR and Marketing team via phone, email, the Source and other communication channels as needed.

• 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 management activities to ensure the division is within slot allocations

• Support removal of aging inventory and liquidation

Perpetual Learning & Growth

• Develops and maintains a high level of industry and product expertise to be the primary source of knowledge for the protein category.

• 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.

Centre of Plate Specific Functions:  

• Executes Protein sourcing plans that enable category growth and achieve sales, margin and brand goals in a specified division(s).

• Ensure market relevance in portfolio and competitiveness by proactively utilizing the proper mix of sourcing solutions including national vendor partners, strategic alliances, specialty companies and other local/regional product sources.

• Manage higher risk inventory and work closely with strategic alliance buyers, merchandising, supply chain and divisional leadership to analyze volume, distribution centre capacity, risk and market conditions before directing large buys.  

• Provide support to the sales and marketing teams with product sourcing and opportunity buys.  

• Make speedy and decisive purchasing decisions on time-sensitive offers ensuring the best opportunities are secured before they expire.

• Continuously monitor market pricing and conditions to make timely buying decisions 

• Stay informed on market offers and vendor opportunities.

• Lead contract negotiations with new regional protein suppliers in collaboration with strategic procurement and category. 

• Align with the North American Category Management team to represent the unique needs of the division's protein customers, ensuring regional strategies are balanced with national strategies.

• Manage the full product life cycle for all protein items, from initial sourcing and market introduction to discontinuation.

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to sales and marketing teams on new protein items, market opportunities, and category performance

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• High School / Equivalent required

• Bachelor Degree in Business, Marketing or a related field preferred

• At least 3 years of  product / category knowledge with a specific focus on the protein category or previous marketing experience
  preferred as typically obtained through a bachelor's prepared education or or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Must have deep product knowledge of the protein category, including an understanding of market dynamics, supply chains, and quality standards for meat, seafood, and poultry.

• Must have extensive knowledge of commodity markets and the ability to interpret and react to market fluctuations for perishable goods.

• Musts have proven ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure, particularly for time-sensitive buying opportunities.

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including Category, Limson, vendors and the broader sales and merchandising teams.

• Must have basic knowledge of local market(s) and marketing segments. 

• Ability to understand, follow and create processes in order to complete projects. 

• Must have good time management, administration, and organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 

• Proficiency in analyzing information; able to use analytics and associated tools (e.g., Excel, Google) in creative ways to tell the product story, garner buy‐in, provide insights and to support decision‐making. 

• Must have good financial acumen and ability to learn and understand Margin, Pricing, Freight and other related financial metrics

• Ability to inject creativity, fresh thinking, and new perspectives and to generate new and imaginative ideas, while using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. 

• Positive attitude, problem‐solver mentality, willingness to experiment and be creative. 

• 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. 

• Proficient communication skills ‐ both written and verbal ‐ to communicate effectively with a broad‐based team including diverse internal stakeholders and vendors.

• Experience with SAP an asset

Equipment / Tools / Technology:

• Desktop or laptop computer 

• Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Sites, Drive, Docs, Groups)

• Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer)

• Networked printer/copier/facsimile machine

• Gordon Food Service systems - including Business Analytics, cost, pricing and reporting systems

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for the next stage will be contacted.   Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer who strives to provide an inclusive work environment that involves everyone and embraces the diverse talent of its people.  All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to any enumerated or analogous grounds of discrimination, including race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, sexual orientation 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 and use the words "Accommodation Request" in your subject line.