Lead, eCommerce & Customer Marketing - Kroger

Job DescriptionThe Lead, Kroger eCommerce serves as the general manager of the Kroger digital business, owning the strategy, performance, and execution across all eCommerce verticals. This role is responsible for accelerating profitable growth, driving market share, and leading cross-functional collaboration to position the company as a best-in-class partner within Kroger’s digital ecosystem. This leader will oversee strategic planning, retail media optimization, digital shelf excellence, omnichannel innovation, and business operations while acting as the central connector between internal teams, Kroger stakeholders, agency partners, and field sales teams. The ideal candidate combines strong commercial acumen, retailer expertise, analytical rigor, and leadership capabilities with a deep understanding of omnichannel commerce and retail media. Key Responsibilities:Business Ownership & Strategy Serve as the end-to-end business owner for Kroger and Harris Teeter eCommerce, developing and executing growth strategies aligned to company objectives. Lead annual planning, Joint Business Planning (JBP), and in-year negotiations with Kroger teams including Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) and Digital Merchandising. Drive sustainable eCommerce growth through strategic assortment, promotional planning, media optimization, and omnichannel activation. Identify incremental growth opportunities across pickup, delivery, and emerging digital platforms. Retail Media & Digital Excellence:Establish best-in-class retail media standards across search, display, and emerging tactics to maximize incremental ROI and sales growth. Optimize media investment strategies, balancing efficiency and effectiveness across tactics and campaigns. Own digital shelf excellence, ensuring full compliance with Kroger digital standards and driving continuous improvement in content performance. Partner with Digital Shelf, eCommerce Category Management, and agency teams to identify new capabilities, pilots, and strategic innovations. Promotional & Financial Management:Lead promotional planning strategy, leveraging ROI analysis and performance measurement frameworks to optimize investment decisions. Monitor and manage business performance across 1P and 3P models, including inventory health, service levels, substitution rates, and operational KPIs. Own annual budget planning and investment prioritization to support market share growth and business profitability. Analyze key performance indicators including: eCommerce market share Sales growth Perfect Screen compliance iROAS / ROI Promo effectiveness CQS and customer metrics Cross-Functional Leadership:Act as the primary liaison between Brand, Sales, Supply Chain, Revenue Management, Category Leadership, and Kroger stakeholders. Ensure alignment between national digital priorities and field execution. Lead agency relationships and external partnerships to ensure strong collaboration, accountability, and optimized investment strategies. Standardize communication routines and operating processes to improve organizational alignment and execution consistency. Innovation & Capability Building:Lead Alpha/Beta testing initiatives and pilot programs to evaluate new capabilities and scale successful programs. Build and maintain a long-term learning agenda focused on evolving shopper behaviors, platform capabilities, and emerging digital trends. Develop scalable tools, reporting, and insights that strengthen strategic decision-making and category leadership. Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organization. Talent Leadership: Coach, mentor, and develop team members to build future-ready eCommerce capabilities. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, agility, and innovation. Build organizational capability across omnichannel commerce, retail media, and digital analytics. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred. 7+ years of experience in eCommerce, omnichannel sales, retail media, or digital commerce. Strong understanding of Kroger’s digital ecosystem, retail media platforms, and omnichannel shopper behavior. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and driving business growth. Deep analytical and financial acumen with experience managing large budgets and evaluating ROI. Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to influence senior leadership and external partners. CPG and grocery industry experience strongly preferred. Experience with retail media platforms, digital shelf analytics, and performance marketing. Familiarity with omnichannel fulfillment models including pickup and delivery. Experience leading agencies and external strategic partners. Work Environment & Schedule: This position is considered a ​Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces​ Additionally, this role requires ​​work a salaried, exempt schedule to best execute against customer and internal expectations​.​ Location: Cincinnati, OH (Field Sales Office) Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.New Hire Base Salary Range:$141,500.00 - $176,900.00Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factorsBenefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/AssessmentsSocial - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, TrainingEmotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support ProgramsFinancial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, DisabilityLocation(s)Cincinnati SalesKraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may View email address on click.appcast.io assistance.SummaryLocation: Cincinnati, OHType: Full time