Join us as an AD Program Specialist (Category & Promotions Focus) where your expertise will directly impact our product offerings and customer experience! We are committed to fostering a vibrant work environment that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth.
About the Role
Northwest Grocers builds promotional programs that keep our independent member stores competitive against national chains. The Ad Program Specialist sits at the center of that work — turning category strategy, vendor funding, and item selection into the weekly ads, displays, and promotional events that move product at store level.
You will work under assigned Ad Program Directors across center store and perishable categories, coordinating directly with distributor Account Managers, brokers, national brand vendors, and Direct Store Delivery (DSD) partners.
This is a merchandising execution role, not a marketing communications role. Your week is built around grocery ad sets, deal sheets, retails, and margin — not brand campaigns. The position grows into greater ownership of category and promotional strategy as you demonstrate command of the business.
What You’ll Do
Build the ad
· Support multiple Ad Program Directors in the planning, coordination, and execution of weekly and monthly ad programs across assigned categories.
· Compile promotional details for each ad set: item selection, cost, promotional retails, vendor funding, margin, and display merchandising plans.
· Coordinate with Perishable Specialists so weekly ad plans align with overall merchandising strategy and execution timelines.
· Review ad proofs and promotional materials for item, pricing, and pack-size accuracy before release.
Work the vendor side
· Engage national, warehouse-distributor, and DSD vendors to gather deal sheets, promotional calendars, and funding opportunities.
· Track vendor commitments, allowances, promotional timelines, and program deliverables so that what gets committed is what gets executed.
· Partner with distributor Account Managers on strategic sales initiatives, new item introductions, and monthly promotional plans.
· Review new product offerings and support new item authorization and cut-in decisions.
Own the numbers
· Monitor promotional performance using movement and POS data; compile post-event reporting on lift, margin, and vendor funding recovery.
· Bring forward promotional recommendations, new item opportunities, and incremental sales ideas grounded in category performance.
· Maintain organized documentation of promotional calendars, vendor agreements, funding records, and ad program history.
Support the wider team
· Provide cross-functional support to merchandising, marketing, and retail operations so programs land cleanly at store level.
· Take on expanded category and vendor collaboration responsibilities as the role evolves.
What You Bring
Required
· Grocery industry experience — 3+ years in retail store or department management, merchandising, category management, promotions, or vendor/supplier management.
· Working knowledge of grocery trade funding mechanics — off-invoice, scan-back, and billback allowances, and temporary price reductions (TPRs).
· Familiarity with grocery categories, brands, items, and current market trends.
· Strong Excel skills. You can build and maintain a promotional tracker, use lookups and pivot tables, and reconcile a deal sheet against an ad plan without being asked twice.
· Proficiency with Outlook, Teams, and reporting platforms.
· Persuasive, credible communication with vendors and internal partners — written and verbal, including negotiation.
· Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to run multiple ad cycles at different stages simultaneously.
· Ability to hold a fixed weekly deadline that does not move.
· Strategic and analytical thinking, sound decision-making, and the initiative to work independently as well as on a team.
Preferred
· Experience at a grocery wholesaler, distributor, retailer support organization, or CPG broker (Acosta, Advantage, Crossmark, or similar).
· Exposure to both center store and perishable categories.
· Experience supporting independent or franchise retailers.
· Familiarity with category review processes, planograms, and space management.
Location & Schedule
Full-time, based in Tukwila, WA. Hybrid schedule with 2–3 days of remote work per week upon approval.
Compensation & Benefits
- $70,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Simple IRA / 401(k) with company match.
Pay: $69,000.00 - $88,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
