Shelf Management Rep-St. Paul, MN

Job Overview
Oversee UNFI's work force of reset employees, vendors, brokers, retailers and third-party merchandisers to complete retail merchandising projects as scheduled. Merchandising projects consist of Home Store Program, Full Store Resets, Major Remodels, Ad Hoc Projects and New Store Merchandising. Manage an assigned territory that consist of 25 to 35 stores on the Shelf Management program. Works closely with store personnel to ensure the least amount of interruption to their business and customers. Works with Merchandising Manager to finalize floor plan layouts and daily tasks list. Manages and runs full store resets, having the ability to amend layout changes and adapt planograms in a timely manner as needed at worksite. Coordinate region shelf management program by overseeing the retail execution of base and customer planograms and store-level reports to directly contribute to the sales, growth and profitability of UNFI retailers. Has a full understanding of the Home Store program and the ability to present the program to retailers as well as coordinate and oversee the bi-weekly execution of the cycle packets. Acts as a consult selling agent to the retailers in the areas of shelf management, store-in-store services, merchandising and store mapping/layout.

Job Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities

• Leads the field teams and partners with Independent Retailers, Merchandising, Marketing, Vendors/Brokers to provide Merchandising Services that maximize region and retailer profitability.
• Full understanding of the Home Store program and the ability to present the program to retailers, securing additional retail accounts on the program.
• Face to face interaction with retailers to draw up existing/new stores reset projects; begin the process of putting together a daily project plan using shelf management skill, technical solutions (store mapping) and merchandising experience
• Deploys accurate and timely implementation of core/custom planograms at retail by coordinating efforts to institute set/reset schedules. Includes influencing retailers to follow UNFI's shelf management merchandising philosophy.
• Ensures that the shelf sets follow the UNFI shelf management principles and is the most visually appealing, sales generating and profit enhancing option.
• Coordinates and places orders for in house equipment (tag stock, plastics, pegs, overlays, extenders); racks from suppliers to ensure all are shipped prior to resetting.
• Instructs all 3rd party merchandising staff in the use and implementation of base and custom planograms. Ensures accurate and timely implementation of base and custom planograms at retail by coordinating efforts to institute set/reset schedules. Includes influencing retailers to follow UNFI's shelving principles.
• Utilize UNFI's shelf management principles to integrate the regional merchandising philosophy at retail. Stays in- tune with latest UNFI's Category Strategic Plans, Store Layouts, Competitive Insights and Consumer Insights/Trends.
• Provide training and guidance to retailers and 3rd party merchandisers on new items, replacement items and discontinued items for retail execution within territory.
• Communicate monthly and visit Homestore retailers on a Quarterly basis to evaluate, monitor and identify/solve any potential issues with the overall program.
• Facilitates the potential sales, implementation, and support of Merchandising Services to independent retailers including the areas of Shelf Management, Store Kiosks, and 3rd Party Merchandising Service Programs.
• Evaluate the instituted plan-o-grams using shelf management reporting to determine if set/resets have provided expected results. Adjust sets/resets as necessary based on evaluation.
• Initiate retailer and 3rd party merchandiser training and provide ongoing training on usage of reports and plan-o- gram output.
• Resolve all issues and conflicts over shelf management which may develop between retail, the region, and UNFI and the vendor/broker community.
• Remain apprised on shelf management technology through training programs and utilizing Corporate Category Management Department as an information source.

Job Requirements
Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree & 3-5 yrs. experience; or Associate degree & 7-9 yrs. experience

Experience

• 10 yrs. relevant experience
• Strong grocery, frozen, dairy product knowledge is essential
• Wholesale buying and/ or Retail experience preferred
• Bilingual – Spanish a plus

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Frequent use and general knowledge of industry practices, techniques and standards
• General application of concepts and principles
• Ability to merchandise grocery, dairy, frozen and GMHBC product assortments.
• Create displays at retail, that increases consumer basket size for retailer
• Possess good leadership skills and the ability to supervise the work of others. Must be able to motivate and work with and through others to achieve desires results.
• Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written. Deal effectively with a wide variety of people both in person and over the telephone.
• Basic computer skills required and personal computer experience, with work processing and spreadsheet applications preferred.
• Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities. Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment
Travel (major):

• Weekly travel is required for this position.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Position responsibilities requires frequent travel during the work week and occasional weekend travel
• Most work is performed at retail store level with a high degree of physical activity including extensive lifting (5-80 lbs.), bending and stooping.
• Noise levels in all areas are within acceptable tolerance ranges for those specific work areas.
• Incumbent will use computer, calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the course of the workday.
• Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance to work both at ground level and in high places to perform job duties.