Assortment Manager, Fresh Food

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We believe we can make life a little better every day – one smile, hoagie, or experience at a time. And there’s one secret ingredient that truly sets Wawa apart: Our Associates. At Wawa, you’ll be part of a caring team that’s dedicated to helping all of us fly high – together. We’re team players, day-brighteners, and go-getters: and we know that Wawa is a place where we can build skills to thrive and open doors to new career opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of a winning team of Associate owners who shape our success. We’re committed to helping our communities and one another at every turn, because we know that when we fly together, there’s no limit to how far we can go. Ready to be part of a team that helps you reach new heights? Join our flock and get ready to soar.

Job Description

Job Title: Assortment Manager, Fresh Food

Location: Corporate

Department: Marketing

Position Summary : The Assortment Manager, Fresh Food is responsible for managing and implementing all processes necessary to achieve the financial expectations for the category. Actively involved in managing current product platforms while supporting new product initiatives. Manages vendor relationships to achieve optimal product and process performance. Acts as the project manager, overseeing vendor relationships and collaborating cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to meet agreed operating goals.

Principal Duties:

• Financial responsibility for assigned categories. Create budget projections. Develop and execute category plans to support the budget and long-range plan. Manage cost and retail pricing strategies. Closely monitor performance and adjust plans as needed. Formally communicate performance and reasons for variances. Negotiate, budget, and monitor discounts and allowances for applicable categories. Negotiate contractual agreements on performance standards and rewards with vendors.
• Lead the development process for product initiatives from test to commercialization, partnering with key cross functional stakeholders on process, pricing and promotion required to achieve P&L budget expectations as well as support the strategic long-range plan.
• Strategically plan, communicate, and execute programs in partnership with vendors, store operations, space planning/store design, training, and other departments. Design and write programs and procedures. Organize and monitor program tests and modify as needed. Roll out programs (for financial and operational success) which are critical to achieving the strategic plan. Manage forecast with F&R and Supply Chain teams.
• Execute project plans to protect and grow market share in assigned categories and build plans to capitalize on key consumer trends. Summarize research and implement strategy recommendations founded on insights to identify trending opportunities and analyze gaps in current offer to ensure a balanced and strategic menu/offering.
• Responsible for all Primary Category Specific Campaign planning to ensure optimal financial performance. Final decision maker on all inventory needs and forecasts, communicates with external business partners on all critical dates, and holds external vendors responsible for best in class execution. Participate in all creative development and reviews; photo, radio, digital, TV, POP and OOH.
• Partner with COE, Finance and IT departments to track, analyze and report on performance and impact of branded marketing programs, utilizing component and location level driven data.
• Partner with the Enterprise Productivity and Foodservice/Center of Store Effectiveness Teams on cost management and process improvement resulting in reduced complexity at store level. Utilize Store Operations feedback to enhance and streamline FS programs.
• Develop and maintain vendor relationships ensuring that vendors are providing maximum value to the category and the company. Leverage vendor partnerships to obtain critical category insights and research. Develop fact-based decisions targeted at driving category growth in partnership with vendors.
• Source, qualify, negotiate and manage vendor relationships. Set inventory minimum/maximum standards with manufacturers and wholesalers. Work with QA to ensure vendors meet standards and determine actions in case of a quality or service concern. Work cross-functionally with Strategic Sourcing to identify opportunities for cost reductions while maintaining the brand standards for quality.
• Manage brand and assortment, work collaboratively with Space Planning to optimize space. Decision making authorization to determine and communicate changes considering all factors when determining item performance (G.P., labor, space and equipment, growth potential and brand building.)
• Resolve category related issues and concerns from customers, store operations, vendors, and corporate associates. Create contingency plans in the event products or service standards are not met. Has authority to take proper action when needed.
• Responsible for set up, flow, and user experience on all new Foodservice items and existing food items displayed on CAT. Lead the strategic planning process that initiates the placement and flow of foodservice menu items and design elements on the CAT terminal to maximize gross profit and compliment primary campaigns.
• Work cross functionally to gather all critical pieces of information to ensure correct item setup and data flow in CAT (recipes, portioning, and article/EAN’s combinations) that ensures accuracy in inventory management. Successful and timely set up will ensure business results are reported correctly for the entire organization to utilize when making future business decisions focused on direct store profitability, spoilage, and margin analysis.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Detail oriented and excellent organizational skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and independently
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
• Proven self-starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions
• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to collaborate cross functionally

Basic Requirements :

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Three to Five years of category related experience in the consumer goods or foodservice categories
• Knowledge of PC applications – Microsoft Office, Internet, etc.
• Advance Excel skills required
• Proficiency in SAP, JDA and Microstrategy preferred
• Previous P&L, budgeting and forecasting experience
• Previous Project Management experience
• Demonstrated general business acumen

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at [email protected].

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.