Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief Strategy/Information Officer

Steele Recruiting LLC is an Executive Administrative Assistant Retained Search firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in Executive Administrative Assistant and Chief of Staff permanent placements for C-Suite and Senior Leadership Executives across the United States. With nearly 20 years in recruitment, we have a solid reputation for quality placements, professionalism, and maintaining confidentiality for every client and candidate.

We are currently partnering with our trusted client SpartanNash, for an Executive Assistant to the Chief Strategy and Information Officer (CSO/CIO), with additional light support to the executive team (VPs of Strategy & IT), located in their beautiful newly remodeled corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This is your WOW opportunity to join SpartanNash, an almost $10 billion, publicly traded Fortune 400 company. SpartanNash delivers the ingredients for a better life through customer-focused innovation for their supply chain customers, U.S. military commissaries, retail store guests and, most importantly, their Associates.

The SpartanNash family of Associates is 17,000 strong, ranging from bakery managers to order selectors; from IT developers to vice presidents of finance; from HR Business Partners to export specialists. Each of them plays an integral role in SpartanNash’s People First culture, Operational Excellence and Insights that Drive Solutions.

History

Nash Finch started as a family-owned business back in 1885 when brothers Fred, Edgar, and Willis Nash opened a small candy and tobacco store in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The first non-family employee, Harry B. Finch, joined the Nash Brothers as a 14-year­-old stock boy in 1889 and worked his way up in the organization. In subsequent years, the company became known as the Nash Finch Company with Harry as the company president.

Established in 1917, Spartan Stores originated when 100 independent retailers united to offer bulk purchases, passing on savings to customers. In 1918, 43 retailers formed the Grand Rapids Wholesale Grocery Company. Over the years, both SpartanNash and Nash Finch expanded to retail and wholesale operations. In 1995, Nash Finch acquired Military Distributors of Virginia, marking the start of the commitment to serving military heroes.

SpartanNash was formed when Spartan Stores, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan merged with the Nash Finch Company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota in November of 2013. Both companies have long and rich histories of serving their communities. In 2017, SpartanNash acquired Caito Foods and BRT, enhancing fresh produce distribution and logistics.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, SpartanNash also has offices in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Norfolk. They operate 147+ retail stores across 9 states, distribute to 2,100+ independent locations nationwide, and operate 12 distribution centers and seven military distribution centers, serving globally including DC, Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bahrain, Djibouti, and Egypt.

What Makes this Role Unique?

You will be valued as a trusted right-hand thought partner and extension to the CSO/CIO, the ambassador for the team of 250, where you will be engaged and uplifted to do your very best. You will work in the department responsible for setting company strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and IT. You will have access, problem solve, participate in department management meetings, and provide your perspective.  

The CSO/CIO understands the value of a trusted right-hand Executive Assistant, allowing you the opportunity to contribute to a company that cares about the people, and challenging you to be the best you can be.

Their winning company “Recipe”

Mission -To deliver the ingredients for a better life

Signature Strength - To be the most customer-focused, innovative food solutions company

Core Capabilities:People – Engaged and diverse Associates providing extraordinary service and expertise

Operational Excellence – Our Supply Chain efficiency, in-store execution, customer service, and applied use of technology

Insights that Drive Solutions – Customer and shopper insights that deliver leading-edge products and services

Core Behaviors: Serve, Create Solutions, Win, and Have Fun

• You will be working for a company whose core values are customer focus, innovation, patriotism, teamwork, respect, integrity, accountability, and celebration. Their success hinges on a family of nearly 17,000 associates prioritizing customers, consumers, communities, and each other. 
• Committed to diversity, they build a team mirroring the communities they serve. 
• Corporate responsibility is paramount, with annual food donations of 5.4 million pounds, $1.3 million given to nonprofit organizations, $1.4 million to fight hunger, support military families, provide shelter, promote diversity and inclusion in their communities, 50,000 annual volunteer hours, and investing in environment sustainability. 

The Role

The Executive-Level Administrative Support to the CSO/CIO is a visible administrative strategic partner to the CSO/CIO, the “air traffic controller,” demonstrating good judgment and initiative in managing diverse activities. You will play a critical role in proactive executive administrative support, preplanning each day while adjusting in real-time, and optimizing the CSO/CIO’s effectiveness. You will own impactful projects and engage in tasks for the business, ensuring productivity while upholding confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities: How You Will Make an Impact

• Provide Executive-level administrative support to the CSO/CIO, including administrative assistance, calendaring, travel and expenses, communication, meetings, and special projects.
• Detailed scheduling and calendar management for the CSO/CIO utilizing excellent time management to ensure the day runs effectively and efficiently.
• Additional light administrative support to three VP-Level team members including light calendaring, travel, and expenses.
• Coordinate team event planning and meetings, up to 250 people; onsite, town halls, and department meetings. Collaborate with the corporate event department.
• Orchestrate complex travel schedules, agenda briefings, support team members on the ground, manage logistics of travel-related activities.
• Act as a liaison to review, prioritize, and respond to inbound communications, along with managing the CSO/CIO's contacts and database. Manage team communications to keep the team informed and up-to-date on all important matters.
• Planning, scheduling, agendas, communication, catering, and logistics for meetings.
• Confidential meeting note taking, distribution to teams including Leadership Team, and follow up to ensure the completion of action items.
• Partner with the Leadership Team to manage CSO/CIO meeting cadence and availability.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality and information security.

The Right Person

• Team Player: Achieves cohesive, effective team spirit. Exhibits dynamism, excitement, and a positive can-do attitude; strong desire to achieve, exhibits high dedication, strong drive, and lots of energy.
• Organization/Resourcefulness: Plans, organizes, schedules, and supports the CSO/CIO in an efficient, organized manner; focuses on key priorities. High sense of responsibility. Goes beyond the call of duty, shows bias for action, and is a results-oriented "doer."
• Integrity: Proven track record of being able to deal with highly confidential and sensitive information. Possesses ironclad integrity, and does not ethically cut corners. Earns the trust of coworkers.
• Business Acumen: Demonstrated a sharp understanding of administrative business dynamics coupled with an inquisitive mindset to continuously learn and effectively apply insights to day-to-day responsibilities.
• High EQ: Understand and interpret the unsaid.

Qualifications (minimum)

• Associate’s or advanced degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 5+ Years executive-level administrative, similar support, or related experience
• Experience coordinating complex executive-level schedules including travel, events, and external meetings
• Heavy calendar management experience for a busy executive with competing priorities
• Meeting scheduling, with a high degree of detail of desired preferences for meeting attendees
• Highly organized and flexible
• Able to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly and anticipate last-minute changes, with the confidence to make decisions for successful outcomes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills - including the ability to speak effectively with external visitors, executives, and clients
• Proven track record of being able to deal with highly confidential and sensitive information
• Team player mindset - must have influence not through your proximity to the executives but through proving your intellect, cultivation of trusted relationships, and displaying appropriate discretion
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and Concur, Teams
• Professional demeanor and appearance
• Occasional available to respond to urgent needs outside of typical business hours as needed
• Ability to travel on occasion for company meetings and team events

Compensation and Benefits

• Highly competitive compensation
• Annual bonus program
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• HSA with company contribution
• FSA Flexible Insurance account
• 401K with company match
• Discount Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• LTD, STD, accident and pet insurance
• Onsite Starbucks and Cafe
• Free on-tap ice cream and popcorn
• Grocery and Gas discounts
• Staff recognition events and award trips
• Executive Assistant group memberships, continuing education

SN offers robust Total Rewards, knowing a one-size-fits-all benefits package does not reflect the diverse and individual physical, mental, and emotional needs of its associates and their families.

The company also offers a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment that embraces the unique talents and backgrounds of all associates.