Director II Merchandising, Optimization & Profitability

Category/Area of Expertise: Merchandising
Job Requisition: 476932
Address: USA-MA-Quincy-1385 Hancock Street
Store Code: Executive Administration (5165197)

Here at Stop & Shop, we've been serving our customers and neighborhoods for more than a century. A lot has changed in that time, but one thing hasn't: Stop & Shop is a place where everyone can thrive and feel like they're part of family.

Our more than 50,000 associates enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits and discounts to support professional and personal journeys and flexibility that fits their lives.

We invite you to pull up a seat and discover the ways you can make an impact. There's always room at our table!

The Director of Merchandising Optimization & Profitability will be responsible for the development & execution of Omnichannel Macro & Micro Space Merchandising Strategies across Non-Perishables and Fresh Categories to ensure assortment variety, support on-shelf availability, while right sizing space to sales.

Developing, defining and implementing end to end Shrink standards and management processes across Fresh & Non Perishable Merchandising departments (from procurement to in store execution) while partnering with category leads resolve root cause & track performance.

Establishing standards for and guiding Regional Leadership on successful execution of CAO and HHO ordering processes across the fleet (for in store and online orders).

Support Merchandising Leadership in the identification of opportunities, prioritization of efforts, and advanced view into risks across Fresh & Non Perishable functions through enhanced category insights that unify the perspective across functional sources/perspectives (Finance, Merchandising, Pricing, etc.) in support of Fresh & Non Perishable 4 Ps decisions and actions.

What we ask of you:

Omnichannel Macro Space

• Establishes Omnichannel Macro Space Strategy and guides the implementation of that strategy through Macro Space standards for center store categories across in- store & warerooms; ensuring assortment variety and efficient operational standards which result in an improved customer experience across all channels
• Owns the Omnichannel Merchandising plan development and approval process for the Brand in support of Fleet wide remodel program; ensures cross functional coordination of plan input, plan development, and plan approval
• Ensure store specific merchandising plans reflect best practices for assortment optimization, eComm demand and planogram decisions to deliver optimal omnichannel merchandising execution

Omnichannel Micro Space/ Assortment Standards

• Establishes Omnichannel Micro Space Strategy and guides implementation of strategy through Micro Space standards inclusive of Assortment clustering, POG compliance guidelines, and in store equipment requirements resulting in better in-stock, improved shop-ability, and increased productivity

• Owns the omnichannel assortment planning process for all Non-Perishable and select Fresh Categories; driving a 36 week process of coordinated actions that must be executed for new assortment to become available on shelf
• Brand Lead in partnership with PDL Assortment Services team to develop the yearly cycle reset calendar (~30 cycles per year) and manage Fair Share execution for efficient use of funding across the Cycle Calendar, Remodels, and Strategic Projects
• Responsible for the delivery of omnichannel category specific data and customer insights that guide Category teams in Assortment decisions
• Identifies and executes strategic assortment mix projects that enhance sales and mitigate loss
• Leads and maintains Assortment management to support working capital targets including overall SKU count maintenance and reduction projects as well as item warehouse location management

Multicultural

• Establishes Multicultural Assortment strategies that balance deliver meaningful assortment to local communities while delivering on full shop experience, Stop & Shop is known for
• Lead the development of sustainable processes development across Macro & Micro space to deliver tailored to ensure overall productivity while tailoring assortment, through cluster definition, base footage adjustments, and module definitions
• Responsible for developing expertise in both Fresh & NP ethnicity & religious driven food needs of our customers across our footprint

Local

• Defines and evolves Brand Non-Perishable Local Assortment Strategy while coordinating across the business to elevate customer awareness of offering, resulting in improved community connections and enhanced Brand awareness

Category Insights

• Support Merchandising Leadership in the identification of opportunities, prioritization of efforts, and advanced view into risks across Fresh & Non Perishable functions
• Responsible for providing cross functional visibility to performance and unifying the perspective across functional sources/perspectives (Finance, Merchandising, Pricing, etc.) in support of Fresh & Non Perishable 4 Ps decisions and actions
• Leverage existing Power BI reporting to assemble and share insights on impactful business opportunities and trends
• Provide recommended actions inclusive of projected performance, business trade- offs, and estimated resources required to execute recommendation
• Responsible for supporting the development of Category Business Cases, Assortment rationalization plans, Leading Process Mapping activities, Cost Benefit Analysis and special project request
• Drive SWAT approach to key business issues in need of immediate cross-functional action (ex: Shrink, Working Capital etc)
• Leverage Merchandising Analytics and ADUSA partnerships to provide holistic assessment of category performance against business strategy

Profitability/Shrink mitigation

• Develop, define and implement end-to-end Shrink standards and management processes across Fresh & Non Perishable Merchandising departments (from procurement to in- store execution)
• Support Category teams in identifying Shrink opportunities, developing plans to target root causes and tracking performance improvements
• Provide Shrink performance thresholds by department, providing Operations leadership targeted support opportunities to implement performance improvement actions
• Partners with Merchandising & Operations to develop merchandising for high-risk products that maintain sales while mitigating loss, inclusive of capacity management, assortment retail limits, and merchandising equipment recommendations

Replenishment

• Responsible for establishing standards for successful execution & monitoring performance of CAO and HHO ordering processes across the fleet (for in store and online orders)
• Lead a team of Replenishment Managers with the goal of providing regional support services to DDs and RVPs inclusive of regional performance benchmarks, in store assessments and remediation planning, & training execution
• Partner with Regional leadership to plan for inventory level adjustments due to seasonality, weather, or outside business event to support improved forecast accuracy
• Provide guidance and oversight on Ordering for all new stores, remodels, & resets within each region including safety stock settings and order delivery timing with store management team

Other

• Executive lead for defining and implementing Merchandising Strategy projects
• Identify and champion Brand and Cross Brand projects to improve data, enhance planning, and ensure execution
• Ensure team is focused on root cause analysis of identified issues and drive resolution to prevent further impacts
• Conduct market visits to understand upstream process impacts on retail and eComm businesses
• Lead category teams in the development of strategic project test plans, KPI tracking, and business case development

What you bring to the table:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 15+ years' experience in Category Management, Retail Operations, or Strategy preferred
• 10 years' experience in managing people and cross functional projects required
• Knowledge of Category Merchandising principles and processes

• Experience in leading projects and influencing consensus
• Mature level of knowledge for company, business and industry practices
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Experienced in executive level presentation development and business story telling
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite of Programs
• Knowledge of shelf merchandising processes and tools preferred

Knowledge of Brand merchandising principles and processes preferred

What we bring to the table:

• Culture committed to celebrating diverse backgrounds and experiences

• Comprehensive benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

• Associate discounts

• Team of associates dedicated to serving our local customers and supporting our communities
• The ability to travel up to 25%

• Flexible, hybrid work environment with three days a week in the office

If you are passionate about customer service, thrive in a dynamic environment, and are committed to making a difference, we invite you to apply.

Salary range: $185,840-$278,760 and will be commensurate with background, experience as well as internal equity.

Stop & Shop is an equal opportunity employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law.