Merchandising Assistant

Responsible for supporting Category Managers with weekly tasks including; data entry and maintenance, reporting and tracking of various activities, vendor billing, managing store and vendor communications, scheduling meetings, sample collection, vendor and item set up. Associate will communicate with Category Managers, Vendors, Marketing, Pricing, Accounting and Stores, they must be able to communicate properly and effectively with all departments.

Essential Duties:

• Data entry, maintenance and distribution of category related reports and contracts.

• Collects, verifies, and completes vendor and item set up forms. Assure accuracy and complete information. Partner with Vender and Item set up team. Tracks to make sure orders placed and arrive in warehouse on time for reset. Tracks and manages new item billing process.

• Schedules meetings with vendors or other departments.

• Collects and organizes product samples for category reviews and new items presentations.

• Manages communications from retail stores, vendors, and customer inquiries.

• Manages spreadsheets to track performance, projects and misc data.

• Completes vendor billings, assure proper accounting processes and accuracy of information. Partners with VIC team to get information needed to complete weekly manual bills.

• Manages incoming and outgoing mail for Category Manager.

• Check weekly ads, monitor these for obvious errors and make corrections. Send proofs to vendors.

• Assists in maintaining documentation of processes that includes upcoming resets, new items, vendor portal, and fair share billing process.

• Coordinates internal product donation requests including receiving vendor confirmation.

• Manages charity event contract distribution and completion.

• Manages communication from corporate to vendors or monthly/quarterly updates requests, etc.

• Proofs signage on shippers, pallets, & organic weekly and supports tagging process.

• Coordinate the execution of shippers/displays to assure promo is in biceps and make sure product is on VIC. Assure MD/Clearance contract is keyed on shippers and submitted for reclaim. Track shipper delivery and report if issues arise.

• Support the turn buying process in Perishables Departments.

• Prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and adapt to various situations and multiple shifting priorities effectively and timely.

• Other duties as may be requested or assigned.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches internal and external syndicated data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work-flows and procedures.

Design - Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills - assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

Customer Service - manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.

Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.

Team-Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.

Quality Management - Seeks to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Diversity - demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment; builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriately an alternate plan.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; seeks increased responsibilities; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.

Certificates and Licenses: N/A

Qualifications - External

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Educational Experience:

Required:

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in a related field; or two years related

experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

Store operations experience

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, word processing software; Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. Soft Grocer inventory software; BICEPS/TRICEPS order processing systems, Micro Strategy database software, and Ad Display PIPPA Software.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate.

Travel: N/A

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision and Distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to type, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and taste or smell.