Director of Center Store (59609)

HAC, Inc • Full-time • Oklahoma City, OK, USA • 1d ago

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Corporate 901 - Oklahoma City, OK 73105Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeJob Shift: OpenThe Director of Center Store is responsible for the full financial and operational performance of all center store categories, including Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, HBC, Alcoholic Beverages, DSD, General Merchandise, and Fuel.

This role owns the center store P&L, with accountability for sales growth, gross margin, EBITDA contribution, inventory productivity, and cost of goods optimization. The Director leads merchandising strategy, vendor negotiations, pricing architecture, and inventory management while ensuring disciplined execution across all store locations.

This position plays a critical leadership role in driving profitability, navigating organizational change, and aligning merchandising strategy with company financial objectives and ensuring exceptional customer experience across all center store categories.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Ownership & Performance

Own and manage the center store P&L, including sales, gross margin, and EBITDA contribution Develop and execute annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans in partnership with Finance Monitor and report on performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions Drive improvement in key metrics including sales growth, gross margin expansion, inventory turns, shrink reduction, and promotional ROI

Merchandising Strategy & Execution

Develop and execute category strategies, assortment plans, pricing architecture, and promotional programs Ensure alignment of merchandising strategy with customer insights, market trends, and competitive positioning Lead private label strategy and penetration growth Oversee ad planning, promotional effectiveness, and pricing competitiveness

Vendor Strategy & Cost Optimization

Lead vendor negotiations, including cost of goods, trade funding, promotional support, and contract terms Drive a lowest cost of goods mindset while balancing quality, assortment, and customer value Optimize trade spend and vendor income opportunities Maintain strategic relationships with wholesale, DSD, and direct suppliers

Inventory, Supply Chain & Operational Effectiveness

Oversee inventory strategy, ensuring optimal service levels, turns, and in-stock performance Partner with Supply Chain and Transportation to optimize freight flow, distribution efficiency, and replenishment Influence enterprise strategies related to cross-dock, space capacity, and inventory flow Minimize shrink and excess inventory while maintaining strong availability

Store Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner with Store Operations to ensure consistent execution of merchandising programs Support store teams in resolving inventory and merchandising challenges Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and margin planning Collaborate with HR on labor model alignment and organizational design Ensure merchandising strategies are practical, executable, and aligned with store realities

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing merchandising team, including category management, pricing, and inventory functions Establish clear performance expectations tied to financial and operational results Build leadership capability and succession pipeline within the team Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Change Management & Transformation

Lead merchandising strategy through periods of organizational change Identify and execute cost containment and margin improvement initiatives Drive adoption of new processes, systems, and operating models Challenge legacy practices and implement more efficient, scalable solutions

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including alcohol sales where applicable Ensure compliance with pricing and labeling standards Operate within collective bargaining agreements where applicable Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks

Scope & Impact

Supports a multi-location retail operation Operates in both union and non-union environments Direct and indirect leadership of merchandising, pricing, and inventory functions Significant impact on company profitability, working capital, and customer experience

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or related field (MBA preferred) or equivalent experience 8–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in grocery retail, merchandising, or category management Proven track record of owning financial performance and driving margin improvement Experience in multi-unit retail environments with operational complexity Experience in turnaround, cost optimization, or transformation environments preferred

Skills & Competencies

Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and P&L performance Deep knowledge of merchandising, category management, pricing strategy, inventory management systems, and vendor negotiations Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization, including senior leadership Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills Proven leadership ability with a focus on accountability and results Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and evolving environment

Work Environment / Physical Demands

Ability to sit for extended periods and operate standard office equipment Occasional lifting of 10–25 lbs Travel up to approximately 25% depending on business needs Exposure to store and warehouse environments with varying conditions

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