WHO WE ARE:
Entrepreneurial | Expert | Exclusive | Empowering
- We are entrepreneurial growth agents for our clients and our company.
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Backed by PLM’s 35+ years of experience, we bring unparalleled Kroger expertise.
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We operate exclusively at Kroger, where our team excels in navigating its strategy, systems, and decision-making processes.
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We are an employee-owned company, fostering a culture and work environment that empowers and engages employees.
WHAT WE DO:
three sixty Merchandising Solutions specializes in the strategic expansion of CPG client product portfolios at Kroger, America’s leading grocery retailer. We provide a wealth of merchandising expertise and vast brokerage capabilities in all facets of grocery retailing.
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Relationship Management
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Category Management
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Insights & Analytics
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Space Optimization
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Promotional Planning
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Administration
POSITION SUMMARY:
As an Associate Business Manager, you will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of small to mid-sized CPG clients, owning both business performance and day-to-day execution. This role operates with guidance and oversight from a Senior Business Manager (SBM) and/or Director and is designed to build the skills necessary to independently manage larger, more complex client businesses over time. The Associate Business Manager combines strategic thinking and hands-on execution, serving as the primary driver of results across the assigned desk.
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Relationship management: Lead and strengthen client engagement.
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Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for assigned clients, aligning strategies and fostering collaboration with Kroger stakeholders with guidance from a SBM or Director as needed
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Ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment across clients, Kroger, and internal teams
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Lead day-to-day client engagement, escalating complex, strategic, or high-risk topics appropriately
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Insights & analytics: Leverage data to drive strategic decisions.
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Pull and manage data through 84.51 Stratum, OnDemand and related systems
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Create and distribute weekly & period scorecards and standard reports
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Analyze and monitor performance to identify opportunities or risks
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Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations, aligned to business objectives
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Ensure data accuracy, consistency and professional deliverable formatting
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Promotional planning: Develop and execute strategies to drive growth.
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In partnership with SBM and/or Director develop, execute and support promotional plans aligned with client strategy and Kroger’s guardrails, providing strategic, analytic, technical, and administrative support
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Communicate promotional strategies to stakeholders to ensure effective execution
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Monitor performance and recommend optimization opportunities based on results
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KOMPASS and innovation: Drive assortment and new item success.
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Support clients through the KOMPASS process, recommending new product introductions and merchandising opportunities with Senior Business Manager or Director guidance
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Assist in aligning brand and product strategies with Kroger category objectives
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Coordinate execution of new item setup and launch readiness
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Administration: Own timely & flawless administrative support
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Manage Kroger and internal systems and tools (ex. 1worldsync, Syndigo, DemandTec, MS Planner and Sharepoint, etc.)
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Own execution of processes, documentation and form submissions (examples include item setup, contracts, and promotional workflows).
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Support client payment reconciliation process
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Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness across all administrative activities.
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Coordinate with support resources when applicable while retaining accountability for outcomes and execution quality.
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Project Management:
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Manage and communicate progress and timelines on tasks & projects
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Prioritize workload and manage responsibilities within established guidelines
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Work effectively with cross-functional teams to accomplish shared goals
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Industry voice of three sixty: Professionally represent and promote three sixty
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Serve as an ambassador, representing three sixty Merchandising Solutions to clients, Kroger stakeholders, and the overarching community
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Build credibility through consistent execution, insights, and professional communication
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Develop industry knowledge and presence over time, strengthening effectiveness and leadership capability
MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
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4-year degree in Business, Marketing, Operations, Economics or equivalent education
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4+ years of relevant industry experience
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Proficient Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
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Capacity to learn multiple computer systems and web-based applications
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Capability to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to a team
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Expert organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills
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Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision
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Ability to effectively craft and deliver a message to senior level executives
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Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize and multi-task
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Adapt to advancing technology and Kroger systems
MINIMUM PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
- Must be able to perform essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable Accommodations
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Must be able to:
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remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time
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lift 10-15 lbs. occasionally
DESIRED PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE:
- Administrative support position in office environment
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Data analysis and reporting experience
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Retail or grocery experience in a HQ environment
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DSD Experience is a plus
COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:
Some of the Competencies/Skills required to successfully perform this position are:
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Adaptability – Effectively adjusting to changes in tasks, processes, or work environments.
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Building Strategic Working Relationships – Building collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve goals.
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Building Trust – interacting with Kroger suppliers and employees in a way that gives Kroger management confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
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Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to Kroger and P.L. Marketing employees.
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Decision Making – Analyzing opportunities, issues or problems leveraging data to make informed, effective decisions aligned with objectives.
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Inclusion – Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability and motivation for a direct effect on business results
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Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations
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Self-Starter– able to work without direct supervision; prioritizing, organizing and completing workload accurately within allotted time period
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Work Standards – setting and maintaining high performance expectations and accountability for results.
