Merchandising Manager

Essential Functions: Position requires a minimum of 60% time in the field of the assigned business unit. Supports pilots/testing activities, including preparation and delivering communication materials. Also tracking of results and feedback to the appropriate team. Provide the local point of view to Hub leadership based on marketplace understanding. Be an advocate for the customer across the category, engaging Ops to support. Supports marketing; POP are executed across BU. Locally lead the execution of national schematics efforts with local assortment. Coordinate with and manage reset teams in all aspects. Own product launches locally. Support local partners and technical teams to troubleshoot customer facing issues. Foster positive relationships between the Hub team, Spoke team and Operational team. Coaches and mentors Operational staff to merchandise product assortments that reflect Hub initiatives, buying trends and support seasonal local customer demand. Supporting the operations team regarding best merchandising practices for the category at site level. Other tasks as assigned that are site merchandising related. Collaborate and support Country and HUB activities for the Category. Collaborates with Hub for product forecasts and distributions. Monitors local competitor retail and makes recommendations appropriately. Foster positive relationships between the Hub team, Spoke team and Operational team. Oversees the local level of store layouts, category space allocation, product affinity/adjacencies based on recommendations by the Hub. Recommends changes in products, service and policy to the HUB for evaluating results and competitive developments. For local business unit programming only Selects vendors, negotiates costs and terms for products and develops schematics by applying category management principles in accordance with the HUB strategic objectives. Increases sales revenues by developing promotional concepts and overlay programs; develops category plans. Establishes and monitors gross margins by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas, projecting expected sales volume and profit for existing and new products and determining placement and promotions. Projects and measures category sales and gross profit results by developing and maintaining records of item cost, retail, and gross margin dollars. Maintains local external vendor relations by providing direction, guidance, and information, resolving concerns. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reading professional publications, establishing personal networks; or participating in professional societies. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing determined Financial and Key Result Area targets pursuant to Company Plan guidelines. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in advertising, business, or related field preferred. Other combinations of job-related experience and education that meet the requirements may be substituted. Five years of experience or more preferred in merchandising; including three years of management responsibility. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) required. May require up to 60% travel. Valid Driver's License supported by a clean driving record. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Complete physical activity inventory of the position includes: Sit for long periods of time. Operate computer keyboard and mouse for data entry. View computer monitor Hear and speak via telephone. Reach forward and/or overhead Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds Occasionally lift and/or carry, up to 60 pounds from ground to waist level for up to 30 minutes of a workday. (I.e. to replenish fountain syrups). Occasionally lift and/or carry up 30 pounds from the ground to overhead up to 30 minutes a workday. (I.e. stocking/maintaining inventory levels; resets.) Occasionally lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds from the ground to waist up to 30 minutes a workday. (I.e. stocking/maintaining inventory levels; resets) Ability to push and pull with arms up to a force of 20 pounds. (i.e. utilizing a hand truck). Ability to climb a ladder to store or retrieve materials, place and/or replace signage. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working conditions inventory of the position includes: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at a normal range. The lighting will include natural light from the outside as well as fluorescent lighting throughout the work areas. Work with minimum direction and periodic supervision. THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS / DUTIES AND /OR RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY THE JOB AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTENDED TO SET FORTH ALL OF THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB. NOTE: This Job Description may change periodically as required by business necessity, with or without advance notice to employees. Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company's Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Click below to review information about our company's use of the federal E-Verify program to check work eligibility: In English In Spanish Circle K Stores, Inc.