Responsibilities

• Fosters the development, implementation and successful execution of innovative category and “Go to Market” (GTM) strategies.
• Maintains lead role in implementing strategies, ensuring they adhere to overall national category strategies, while meeting Area needs.
• Oversees Area marketing activities.
• Facilitates and oversees customized pricing and product assortment for the Area based on customer needs.
• Identifies segment growth opportunities within the Area's market.
• Manages and oversees local needs and opportunities, marketing, brands management, culinary solutions and other specialists.
• Due to multiple sites within Area (including Hub and market DCs), this position requires virtual leadership in order to effectively cover the sales volume and labor force effectively.
• Partner with corporate and region personnel on the development of customized merchandising, marketing and category strategies for the assigned Area
• Leadership of merchandising field support within the Area Hub based in the DCs and partnership with Area Replenishment leadership. This includes coordination and consistent execution of merchandising initiatives across multiple sites.
• Provide leadership and oversight with the implementation of day-to-day initiatives within the Area, including product assortment changes, marketing events, pricing changes, etc., aimed at driving Area sales performance and GP3 (purchase allowances + selling margin, less deviations).

Requirements

• Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent related field experience required.
• Management experience and a minimum of 10 years of category management, marketing and/or purchasing experience required, preferably from foodservice or food manufacturing industries.
• Ideal candidate has experience that includes collaboration in a functional matrixed environment and virtual leadership across multiple sites.
• Overnight travel may be required to participate in training, meetings, or other company events.
• Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups.
• Excellent management skills, negotiation skills, verbal and written communication skills, as well as solid quantitative and analytical skills required.
• Demonstrated history of utilizing skills of influence, persuasion, and effective negotiation to further goals required, as is the ability to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations, and support change management within the organization.
• Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills and excellent presentation skills, with the ability to efficiently communicate to multiple levels in the organization.
• Intermediate proficiency required in the use of Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Prior experience with Microsoft Access a plus.
• Proven leadership and experience managing direct reports required.