Merchandising Account Executive

Merchandising Account Executive

Greater Los Angeles, Ventura County and the Central Coast, with travel to North Orange County and the Bakersfield area as business needs require.

If you enjoy working independently, partnering directly with customers, and seeing the results of your work in stores, this position offers the opportunity to build valuable retail merchandising expertise while advancing your career with a respected family-owned company. The role combines field autonomy with the support of a growing organization that invests in leadership development and advancement opportunities.

$73,000.00 starting annual base salary plus benefits

About The Company: Santa Monica Seafood's Case Ready Seafood Division ("CRSD") is a growing manufacturer of pre-packed, case ready chilled seafood products, designed specifically for the food retail sector. It has been the fastest growing segment of Santa Monica Seafood and has over 250 employees. This division serves some of the largest Food Retailers in the US.

About The Role: The Merchandising Account Executive will work collaboratively with both Internal & External Stakeholders to support ongoing replenishment, new item launches and promotional activities.

It is anticipated that this will be a field-based role within a designated territory reporting into our Corporate Offices in Rancho Dominguez, CA.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Vice President Case Ready Division for Santa Monica Seafood.

Under the general direction of Division Vice President, this team member is responsible for building a strong connection between SMS and the Customer's Store employees.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the internal SMS team to execute the CRSD's vision, strategy, goals, and objectives.
• Participate in the maintenance of a highly inclusive culture to ensure team members feel valued, are treated with dignity & respect so they can thrive in a fair, honest, and accountable environment.
• Develop relationships with customers to facilitate the ongoing sales process.
• Review the execution of the Seafood Program in the stores, coach and educate store employees on the best way to present the products for customers and share feedback from Customers and Stores on how the program could be improved.
• As part of each store visit, the Merchandising Executive will take pictures and document actions taken to demonstrate implementation of the program as directed by the corporate office.
• It is important to provide stores with advice related to the laws, regulations and company procedures regarding care of seafood products to ensure the highest quality seafood at all times.
• Train crew members to set eye appealing seafood displays to ensure customer confidence in purchasing fresh, quality seafood.
• Train crew members to demonstrate successful customer service techniques such as suggestive selling, preparation suggestions, and knowledge of seafood.
• Assist in the organization of seafood department grand openings of new or remodeled stores.
• Conduct scheduled visits to evaluate and maintain continual communication with assigned stores within a designated territory. Communicate schedules with SMS Office and share documentation of each visit using the tools provided.
• Summarize key learnings from visits daily using central dashboard used to track store visit feedback. Break down next steps for both SMS and Customer.
• Maintain consistent communication with both Internal and External Stakeholders.
• Review, analyze and highlight trends in the retail seafood category through competitor visits, company market reports, seafood business magazines, and internet to be able to answer questions and address problems in the seafood departments.
• Plan, organize, manage and ensure conformance to new point of sale merchandising.
• Uses independent judgement and discretion in carrying out these and other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a strong Customer Focus including the ability to write clear and effective correspondence and other materials.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively train and interact with all levels of a diverse organization.
• Political acumen, tact, discretion, and judgment. Demonstrated ability to produce results, working in committees and teams.
• Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and creativity in problem solving.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, research and resolve problems and follow-through on projects/assignments with minimal direction.
• Detailed oriented approach.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and adapt flexibly to the Customer needs.
• Basic computational and analytical skills.

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• Experience of Forecasting & Replenishment for perishable Retail goods
• Work experience in a Manufacturer or Distributor of Retail goods
• Experience of working for/with CPG Retailers, preferably with a multi-state/national footprint

The Rewards:

• Medical, dental, vision, company-paid life, optional life, AD&D, hospital indemnity, accident, critical illness coverage, veterinary discount plan
• 401(k) with company match
• Discounted employee meals, discounted seafood purchases, and wholesale pricing
• Collegial environment with a family-owned company that offers leadership and skills training and advancement opportunities.