Program and Category Mgr

Job Title: Program and Category Manager – Grocery

Department: Merchandising

Job Region: Store Support – Portland 

Reports-To: Group Director Non-Perishable 

Exemption Status (typically): Exempt 

Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year and as such work in support of our stores may include evening and weekend hours per the needs of the business. Valid Driver License and vehicle required, with ability to travel regularly to store locations, trade shows / events and/or other offsite locations throughout the United States / local region.

About us: New Seasons Market began in 2000 when three families got together to open a neighborhood market, a place where local communities can come together to connect with where their food comes from. A friendly, inviting place that honors its region's farmers, ranchers, growers and makers—helping them prosper for generations to come. Over the years, our community has grown, but our goal is still the same: to build community through good food.

About the role: Responsible for the overall direction, growth and execution of company retail Grocery program/categories. Provides leadership, direction and drives sales for our store departments. Accountable for financial performance of all areas of assigned Grocery categories, including achieving sales, margin and waste goals.  Creates an inspiring customer experience in our stores. This is a management position. You are responsible for providing leadership in line with company values and promoting a positive and progressive work environment in alignment with our company mission, vision values and policies. 

General Requirements: 

• Understands and models our company culture. Acts as a steward of company resources, mission, vision and values. Promotes sustainable business practices. 
• Embraces an agile work environment and guides others through change and continuous improvement.
• Builds community within and outside of New Seasons Market. Works in stores and other offsite events and locations as needed to support our core business and community. 
• Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome. 
• Demonstrates ability to manage own time and models a flexible work style. Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department.  Creative with problem-solving and is solutions-oriented.
• Utilizes strategic thinking, data and industry knowledge, and calculated risk-taking to create competitive advantage. 
• Understands group dynamics in order to foster a positive and collaborative work environment. Develops strong and engaged teams and internal partnerships. 
• Plans for the future by setting clear and attainable goals. 
• Communication style is confident, informative, adaptive to different styles and effective. 
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company Speak Up culture.
• Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises good judgment around sensitive information.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store and office cleanliness, maintains equipment.  
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Manages and provides oversight to assigned categories of the Grocery Merchandising team. Assesses and prioritizes tasks and workflow.  
• Leads store Grocery programs to ensure that the overall company's objectives are being met regarding financial objectives, vendor partnerships, product assortment, and supply chain across all programs.
• Develops a product mix that meets company goals of variety, innovation and margin targets.
• Builds a culture of quality products and selection that is best in the industry, tailored to meet the needs of each of the neighborhoods we serve.
• Consistently reviews assortment and product selection to ensure we are meeting our objective to be the "ultimate neighborhood grocery store". 
• Works with Merchandising Leadership to identify and implement efficiencies and strategic innovations. Communicates program expectations to ensure successful store execution.
• Maximizes sales and margin potential for Grocery departments. Communicates a clear vision on financial priorities.
• Firmly establishes the merchandising strategy allowing for some "freedom within a framework".
• Designs programs and develops strategies that assist stores in achieving financial goals, including sales goals, margin targets and waste improvement.  
• Creates user-friendly programs that are clearly communicated, easily understood and executed by stores.
• Partners with store department managers and merchandising team to quickly resolve issues impacting store operations, in stock conditions, inventory, margin, waste and store conditions. Identifies and communicates best practices, with support of Store Leadership teams
• Monitors and performs routine analysis of categories, product and program performance, making recommendations and changes that keep us relevant and financially sound.
• Completes period end financial reporting and development of proposed action items.
• Develops and champions programs that support our local food economy. Helps to build and nurture local supplier relationships.
• Ensures the cultivation of strong relationships with our vendor partners, upholding our Pledge to Vendors and ensuring we are the "best place to do business." Ensures our vendors grow as we grow and provides appropriate assistance so they can achieve their full potential.
• Provides guidance to the Grocery team about changing customer trends.  Gathers insights from internal and external resources to enable fact-based decision making
• Drives innovation and the spirit of bold thinking that gives New Seasons Market a competitive edge.
• Collaborates with store leadership teams and serves as a resource for the development of Grocery Managers and department staff. Provides insightful, helpful and consistent performance feedback.
• Assists with Grocery design and layout in the new store planning process.  Participates in CAPEX process to drive sales.
• Tools and Equipment Used (not all inclusive): This position works with standard office equipment. May be required to use the following tools and equipment when working in stores or offsite; baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (i.e. blast chiller, grill, knives/blades, oven, grills, scales, etc.) and basic housekeeping / janitorial items. 
• This position works consistently at a light work level and may be asked to work on occasion at a medium or heavy work level when supporting stores or other offsite events. Frequently required to sit, walk, reach and grasp. Occasionally required to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

What you Bring as a Candidate: 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in merchandising / category program management required or other relevant industry experience.
• Previous Grocery specific industry experience required. Experience in a multi-unit, high growth retail or similar environment required.
• Knowledge of Grocery industry with strong and current knowledge of industry terminologies, brands/producers, industry rules and regulations, etc.
• Proven experience driving and executing strategic initiatives, policies, programs and projects that achieve measurable business results. 
• Skills to create effective communication tools, including but not limited to: reports, procedure manuals, staff action plans, merchandising and training documents. 
• Excellent organizational and project coordination skills, with an eye for process improvement. Previous project management experience a plus.
• Previous management level experience required. Experience managing and mentoring multiple direct reports and / or programs, including across multiple geographic regions. 
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Leadership or related fields preferred, however relevant work experience in lieu of formal education is acceptable. 
• High-level proficiency with MS Office. Strong working knowledge of inventory/category movement database programs or other retail specific software required. Skills to learn new computer programs and systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, to collaborate, negotiate and communicate effectively and professionally with cross-functional partners at all levels in the company.
• Ability to manage financial results, including labor, sales and profit margin. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills with problem-solving, project management and execution of initiatives across multiple locations and regions. 

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in office, a variety of off-site environments and in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Benefits Information

All staff have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our 30% staff shopping discount. Full-time, regular-status staff that regularly work 24 hours or more per week and have worked for 60 days are eligible for medical, dental, vision, pre-tax spending accounts, life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), and disability benefits.  Full-time, part-time, and temporary staff who have worked for 60 days and are at least 21 years of age may participate in the 401(k) program. Employees begin accruing PTO on their first day of employment; the amount they accrue depends on hours worked and tenure. Staff may be eligible for paid holidays, depending on schedule and tenure.  Additional benefits include supplemental leave pay (such as parental or bereavement), a store incentive program based on financial & operational goals, paid time for volunteering at a 501(c)3 non-profit, discounts on some forms of public transportation, adoption assistance, and up to $40 reimbursement for dinner out or New Seasons Market groceries for their birthday.