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UNFI · 2 hours ago

Category Merchandise Manager - Produce

Champaign, IL

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid Level

3+ years exp

UNFI is a company focused on enhancing customer sales and retail profitability. The Category Merchandise Manager for Produce will manage customer relationships and execution strategies to achieve sales goals, while also facilitating profitability through effective account management.

Food and BeverageHealth CareHospitalityOrganic Food

Responsibilities

Develop and sustain strong working relationships and a presence as a valued consultant with assigned retail owners and department managers

Address customer issues (e.g., needs, requests, and complaints) with proper urgency to the satisfaction of both parties

Work collaboratively with Account Managers and Inside Sales to ensure the mutually established sales goals are achieved

Respond to and meet customer needs, both internally and externally. Liaison to provide retailer feedback to management on all issues

Represent the company by developing and maintaining a positive business relationship with retail customers, new clients, and UNFI region staff

Resolve all internal and external customer requests and concerns while maintaining a high level of professionalism and service

Establish a full understanding of the strategies, tactics, and programs offered by the region and implement those programs and concepts with retailers. Follow up with assigned accounts on program participation

Identify purchase concentrations and product and service opportunities for each store/account develop plans and monitor progress to capitalize on opportunities

Provide assigned accounts with operational and tactical support to achieve sales goals

Assist with seasonal merchandising, promotional planning, booking seasonal & new item orders, and performing other tasks as necessary to support retailers

Understand the specific markets in which the retailers compete and adapt programs and plans to the marketplace to ensure retailer success

Communicate retailer needs to the regional merchandising department to create new or enhance existing programs

Provide competitive field intelligence to the internal merchandising staff to meet the needs of our customers more effectively

Provide competitive merchandising solutions/SOPs for retail formats by researching market conditions to determine potential sales of products or services and retail trends

Be the Produce/Floral Expert! Stay abreast of all industry-related products, market conditions, key regulations/issues, equipment trends, and technology

Assist sales leadership in conducting annual business reviews with assigned accounts (e.g., sales results, product and service level opportunities, performance against plan, and other key account issues or concerns)

Establish department-specific sales plans for accounts within the prescribed territory to achieve financial goals for each assigned department

Performs other duties as assigned

Qualification

Retail experienceCustomer relationship managementAnalytical skillsCommunication skillsBasic computer skillsProblem-solving skillsMotivational skills

Required

Responsible for customer sales and the retail profitability contribution for all assigned accounts and is expected to meet or exceed wholesale budgeted sales, service level, and EBIT targets for those accounts