Responsible for proactively managing supplier relationships and product assortment within the assigned categories to drive sales and margin growth for the Company. Manage categories and key retailer needs by developing a compelling and differentiated product assortment that features key specialty, emerging and new brands. Build impactful promotional programs and brand marketing opportunities to drive incremental sales. Research and analyze industry and consumer trends to help identify opportunities and develop category plans to enhance growth. Collaborate with our Sales Account Managers, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams to ensure our sales opportunities are successfully executed and maximized. Maintain and build strong relationships with suppliers and brokers that deliver on our vision and values as a trusted expert in specialty and valued distributor partner to our retailers and suppliers. Hybrid role with time spent weekly on site in Mansfield, MA location.
Areas of responsibility:
Supplier and Category Management
Deliver sales growth within categories and demonstrate our commitment to offering a compelling assortment and ensuring strong program execution with our retailers.
Execute scheduled category review processes that supports overall company category and key retailer priorities by building impactful recommendations that identify category gaps, new brand opportunities, and share gains for established brands within the category.
Collaborate with Suppliers and Sales team to build compelling insights and winning approach to gain share and drive growth with our customers.
Build a thoughtful and compelling annual promotional program to feature brands and drive incremental sales.
Manage assortment within assigned categories to ensure full profitability. Partner with the Supply Chain and Sales teams to maximize profitability, optimization of current assortment, and development of plans to resolve, underperforming inventory.
Travel to industry events and trade shows to network, seek out trends, build relationships and create opportunities for future growth.
Conduct market visits that demonstrate a command of the competitive landscape across our geographic area, across relevant channels and translate to actionable business plans.
Managing Supplier Relationships
Fosters strong, mutually beneficial, collaborative relationships within Chex's supplier community.
Negotiate and manage Chex supply agreements with suppliers (best costs, payment terms, allowances, first-to-market opportunities, promotional and growth programs) to ensure financial goals are met.
Develop and manage supplier engagement plans that prioritize key vendor relationships, strategic relationships, and emerging brand growth.
Collaborate with suppliers to create compelling new brand launches, tradeshow, quarterly and seasonal/ holiday programs that drive sales growth and deliver value for our customers and suppliers.
Support customer specific requests and program execution with our suppliers and brokers.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field.
5 years or more of category, supplier relationship management, sales, purchasing, or related experience, preferably in Grocery, Wholesale or CPG (Food/Beverage) industries.
Proven success achieving annual goals and objectives linked to individual and company performance.
Experience building strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and colleagues to deliver results.
Successful track record of creating and executing impactful promotional program development.
Skills:
Excellent leadership abilities and a collaborative, growth mindset
Able to organize, coordinate and direct projects.
Clear and effective oral and written communication skills.
Excellent analytical and technical skills that create actionable insights driving business results.
Proven ability to understand retail market trends and visual merchandising.
Brings "passion" to selling our products and programs to key internal and external customers; developing solutions and approaches that exceed expectation.
Demonstrated collaboration and negotiation skills.
Willing to take risks, responsibly review results and adapt to change in an evolving marketplace.