ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE Join Our Community of Food People! At CHEF'STORE we embody the values of care, courage, collaboration, inclusivity, and integrity in everything we do. We are committed to being the preferred destination for all our customers' needs, regardless of who they are or how they shop. Our team is dedicated to caring for associates, cultivating the customer experience, focusing on simplification, executing plans flawlessly and achieving growth and profitable sales, ensuring that these principles drive our operations and decisions.As the Sr Director of Merchandising, you must share our values and champion them within our merchandising strategy. The Sr Director of Merchandising will be responsible for leading our efforts in product selection, development, and promotion to drive business growth while upholding our commitment to our vision, and strategy. You will foster a collaborative environment to develop a culture of constant improvement within the team and across other business units.
New Ways of Work : This position has been segmented as hybrid meaning the work is a combination of 3 days onsite In Rosemont, IL or West Linn OR (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and 2 days remotely (Monday, and Friday) as defined by the role segmentation. RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop strategies, initiatives, and tactics to meet financial and strategic targets that aligns with company goals and values.
- Direct the implementation of category strategies across CHEF'STORE to drive same store sales, new store openings and margin performance.
- Guide, review, approve and implement a promotional strategy that optimizes category pricing across markets.
- Drive penetration of Exclusive Brands (EB - private label) across categories in the stores.
- Lead merchandising of new stores to ensure success and consistent product assortment across stores.
- Manage the relationships with key vendors and suppliers (e), including contract negotiations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and finance teams to ensure alignment and achievement of business objectives.
- Confidently represent the leadership team with professionalism and self-awareness.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in all business settings.
- Deliver expected results on any special projects assigned.
- Realize continuous improvement in Gross Margin through COGS improvements and EB penetration.
- Build a diverse and high performing team through actively recruiting, hiring, and training new team members. Coach and provide feedback to grow talent. Conduct performance management including reviews and IDP conversations.
SUPERVISION :
- Directors of Merchandising (COP, Produce, Center of Store)
RELATIONSHIPS - Internal: Interact with all levels of associates within the CHEF'STORE.
- External: Interact with consultants, vendors, and other third parties as necessary for projects and ongoing business concerns.
WORK ENVIRONMENT - Primarily work indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Operate Office equipment, including personal computer and phone.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - 10 years minimum category management.
- Store experience is an asset.
- High level leadership experience managing others required.
- Strong negotiation skills required.
- Strong verbal, written and presentation skills required.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.
- Quantitative and analytical skills and the ability to work in a team setting, drive team results and support change management within the organization.
- Must possess, or be able to rapidly develop, a strong knowledge of products within assigned category and sales requirements.
- Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across various levels of management.
- The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high degree of motivation, the ability to prioritize and self-direct, strong business acumen and sound interpersonal skills.
- Ability to travel: 30%
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Visionary Thinking: Have a clear vision for business or operations. Maintaining a long-term big picture view. Foresee obstacles and opportunities, generate breakthrough ideas.
- Financial Acumen : Understand the Meaning and Implications of Key Financial Indicators; Manage Overall Financial Performance; Use Financial Analysis to Create and Evaluate Strategic Options and Opportunities.
- Global Perspective: Keep abreast of important trends and impact the business or organization (technological, competitive, social, economic, etc.) Understand the position of the organization within a global context.
- Cross-Functional Capacity: Understand the role and interrelationship of each organizational functions (E.G., Marketing, Sales, Operations Finance, Human Resources) Have experience and skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.
- Shaping Strategy: Develop Distinctive strategies to achieve competitive advantage. Translate broad strategies into specific objectives and action plans. Align the organization to support strategic priorities.
- Attracting & Developing Talent: Attract high caliber people, develop teams and talent with diverse capabilities. Accurately appraise the strengths and weaknesses of others. Provide constructive feedback, develop successors and talent pools.
- Foster Open Dialogue: Promote a free flow of information and communication throughout the organization (upward, downward, and across) Listen actively, encourage open expression of ideas and opinions.
- Adaptability: Maintain a positive outlook, resist stress and work constructively. Under pressure respond resourcefully to change the ambiguity.
EDUCATION - Four-year college degree or equivalent work experience.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS - Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law. The expected base rate for this role is between $125,000 and $215,000 . This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: .
***EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***