POSITION SUMMARY:
To drive increased sales, margin and share growth of Principals portfolio in categories you participate. Provide both analytical and technical support for our Principals to assist them in the development of the sales plan and execution of promotions that align with Kroger strategies in the divisions 360 Merchandising Solutions represents. Recommend the introduction of new products and additional merchandising opportunities for the Principals you represent.. Effectively identify, professionally represent and actively facilitate communications with Principals and Kroger managers. Cultivate relationships for your Principals with key Kroger managers that directly impact their business.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- This hybrid position will be required to work in our Corporate Office at least one half day per week based on your team’s schedule
- Leverage your own expertise and those of the 360 Merchandising Solutions team to enable Principals to reach their sales goals and stated objectives that align with Kroger’s goals and objectives; influence the development of pricing strategies, annual promotional campaigns and period sales plans designed to achieve financial targets.
- Increase the quantity and quality of Principal’s portfolio in the Kroger weekly sales plan; utilize category trends and consumer data to recommend sales and merchandising opportunities that include new items, promotions, product placement and packaging.
- Assist Principals in the development of their relationship with Category Manager and Procurement Managers responsible for their product line at Kroger. Provide feedback regarding promotional opportunities, sales/margins and supply/distribution issues and initiate communication practices that create transparencies and efficiencies for Principal and Kroger.
- Assist Principals in the development of strategies for their product lines that align with Kroger category objectives; provide expert category analysis obtained through your own experience, information supplied by the teams at 360 Merchandising Solutions and by leveraging the data available from multiple Kroger corporate systems and syndicated sources such as 84.51, Market 6, Mintel and IRI.
- Communicate the sales plans and strategies of the categories you represent to the 360 Merchandising Solutions division teams; facilitate successful execution of Principal’s promotional and merchandising activities in the sales plan at the retail level.
- Generate commission revenue in the categories you support and educate Principals on specifics as to how they can best support the objectives defined in the Kroger sales plan. Develop strategies and recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness of your support team that incorporates the objectives of your Principals, 360 Merchandising Solutions and Kroger; provide ongoing supervision, feedback and direction as needed to 360 Merchandising Solutions employees reporting directly to you who work in your assigned categories.
- Continue to gain expertise in all facets of the grocery industry, especially the category trend dynamics in those categories you participate; professionally and effectively represent both 360 Merchandising Solutions and the categories you participate to members of Kroger Senior Management.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- 4 year degree in Business Marketing, Operations, Economics or equivalent education preferred
- Relevant experience working in merchandising/sales
- Proficient Microsoft office applications including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
- Capacity to learn multiple computer systems and web based applications
- Strong leadership, coaching and management skills
- Capability to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to a team
- Expert organizational, analytical and problem solving skills
- Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision
- Ability to effectively craft and deliver a message to senior level executives
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize and multi-task
MINIMUM PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
- Must be able to:
- remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time
- lift 10-15 lbs. occasionally
DESIRED PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE:
- A blend of grocery merchandising and data analysis experience are desired.
- Relevant grocery experience in a merchandising capacity.
- Demonstrated and documented accomplishments in the area of category sales, marketing, management, product development, negotiations, vendor relations, procurement, distribution and merchandising.
COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:
Some of the Competencies/Skills required to successfully perform this position are:
- Adaptability – maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures
- Building Strategic Working Relationships – developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals
- Building Trust – interacting with Kroger employees, customers and suppliers in a way that gives Kroger Division and Corporate Management confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
- Communication – clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in the English language
- Customer Focus – making Kroger customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive relationships with Kroger employees as well as the suppliers that we represent
- Decision Making – identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences
- Inclusion – appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability and motivation for a direct effect on business results
- Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations
- Leadership – ability to recognize and provide training opportunities; give clear direction to accomplish assigned tasks; hold others to high standards of accountability and address issues when needed in a way that encourages, not discourages the employee
- Negotiation – effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties
- Self-Starter – working the majority of the time without direct supervision; prioritizing, organizing and completing workload accurately within allotted time period
- Work Standards – setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed
