Associate Category Merchandiser

Position Overview As the Associate Category Merchandiser, you are responsible for the coordination and execution of strategic category plans across a smaller desk and assigned categories. Partnering with the Category Manager and Promotional Planning Manager, the Associate Category Merchandiser will use margin targets and competitive data to provide business insights and recommendations to adjust strategies and tactics to improve sales, simplify execution, and improve profitability for assigned categories. The Associate Category Merchandiser ensures regional assortment and seasonal merchandising needs are prioritized to drive incremental volume. The Associate Category Merchandiser coordinates product, cost, merchandising tactics, and activities supporting promotions, TPRs, and selling events. The Associate Category Merchandiser oversees the input of deals and file maintenance data to ensure all programs are executed on time for their assigned desk & categories. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure programs are on trend with the industry, reflective of the regional mix, and focused on delivering the highest quality, relevant products, and best cost. Job Description Description Understand and apply analytical and quantitative insights to support annual category strategy development, including support the planning process, competitive intelligence, sales data, and syndicated data to provide actionable insights, trends, and opportunities to drive incremental sales and margin, oversee the execution of all vendor programs, allowances, performance funds, incentives, forward buys, direct plan ship options maintaining efficiency incentives as a competitive advantage. Responsible for working with the Commercial team and Promotional Planning Managers across regions to implement sales programs and support local events. Responsible for the oversight and execution of category tactics, milestones, and deliverables, including deal submissions, demand planning, new item introduction, and key selling events. Perform SKU rationalization of categories and work with suppliers to continually offer the right assortment to customers and to continually understand commodity market risk. Responsible for Trade Fund planning execution (passed and retained), flyer income, and weekly monitoring and tracking of trade funds, incentives, forward buys, truckload opportunities, and income. The primary point of escalation for vendor/broker tactics and planning day to day, including deal submission and approval, and working with Manufacturing, Buying, and Transportation to resolve OOS (out-of-stock) issues Lead and/or participate in cross-functional planning to support corporate and regional growth strategies. Travel Required: minimal Environment Office : Office Temperature (65F to 75F) Skills Specialized Knowledge : Strong analytical and quantitative skills, comfortable with complex financial data; Experienced in category planning Deep understanding of financial methodology to determine costs, develop annual business plans and oversee daily metrics (sales, volume, inventory, costs, etc.);Must be systems-oriented, enjoy work with new tools and be a self-motivated and detailed learner; Ability to present results of analysis, data models, and other projects to management concisely Special Skills : Strong communications skills – speaking, writing, presenting and negotiating; Strong planning and time management skills High threshold for working in ambiguous, fast paced environments – figuring it out and adapting as you go; Ability to operate simultaneously and effectively in both tactical and strategic modes; proven ability to work cross functionally and build networks and relationships internal and external to organization capable of resolving escalated issues arising from internal, external and vendor partners in coordination with other business partners Physical abilities: : Other: : Will need to travel to minimum of 2 food shows a year Ye…

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