Merchandising Manager

Position Summary

To drive increased sales, margin and share growth of Kroger Our Brands products in categories you participate. Provide both analytical and technical support for a number of Kroger Managers, and assist them in the development of the sales plan and execution of promotions. Recommend the introduction of new products and additional merchandising opportunities for the categories you participate. Effectively identify, professionally represent and actively facilitate communications with numerous suppliers/vendors.

Essential Job Functions

• This hybrid position will be required to work in our Corporate Office at least two days per week based on your team’s schedule.
• Leverage your own expertise and those of the P.L. Marketing team to enable Kroger’s Our Brand teams to reach their sales goals and stated 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 Our Brand Products in the Kroger sales plan; utilize category trends and consumer data to recommend sales and merchandising opportunities that include new items, promotions, product placement and packaging.
• Assist Kroger Our Brand Managers in the development of strategies for the categories you participate; provide expert category analysis obtained through your own experience, information supplied by the teams at P.L. Marketing 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 division teams; facilitate successful execution of all promotional and merchandising activities in the sales plan at the retail level.
• Educate vendor suppliers as to the overall direction of Kroger’s Corporate Brand strategy and the specifics as to how they can best support the objectives defined in the sales plan; work with suppliers and Kroger buyers to provide ongoing feedback regarding promotional opportunities, sales/margins and supply/distribution issues.
• Develop strategies and recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness of your support team that incorporates the objectives of both P.L. Marketing and Kroger; provide ongoing supervision, feedback and direction as needed to P.L. Marketing employees reporting directly to you who work in your assigned categories.
• Continue to gain expertise in all facets of the grocery industry, especially the dynamics of private label in those categories you participate; professionally and effectively represent both P.L. Marketing 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.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience working in the grocery 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 preferred Minimum of 4 years’ 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

• 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.

Company Information

Since 1989, P.L. Marketing has assisted the sales and merchandising of Corporate Brand consumer products for the Kroger Company, the nation’s largest supermarket retailer. Additionally, we provide a multitude of merchandising and operational services for Kroger’s General Office, divisions, and stores, all while being employee-owned.