Salary: $125k-$140k per year
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is a retailer-owned cooperative serving over 3,000 retail member stores with a complete assortment of grocery, fresh meat, fresh produce, specialty foods, health care, and general merchandise items. Through an extensive distribution network and nine distribution centers, AWG and its subsidiaries deliver in over 28 states. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies which provide real estate and supermarket development services, digital marketing services, and is a wholesale supply provider of health and beauty care, general merchandise, specialty/international foods and pharmaceutical supply. If you have a passion for retail, the drive to succeed in a fast-paced industry, we can't wait for you to join the team! Make us your Best Choice!
SUMMARY: This position is responsible for directing the procurement of high quality products and related items at the most economical cost for resale to members. The Sales Manager will maintain the department budgeted goals, meet annual inventory turns and service level goals. The Sales Manager will keep the department focused on the customer with ultimate service to support member ads, promotions and increased same store sales.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the department head or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position. It is the responsibility of each individual at AWG to provide ultimate customer service to our members to support their efforts in increasing same store sales and profits.
1. Develop and achieve timely department budgets for sales, gross overcharge, gains, promotional spread and expense control.
2. Project annual operating budget and monitor said budget to assure compliance, reporting variances to the Director of Fresh Sales.
3. Direct the procurement of product to obtain service levels, proper turns, gains and adequate inventory levels.
4. Supervise the selection, purchasing and pricing of product and related product lines.
5. Negotiate and maintain all accrual contracts with vendors.
6. Ensure product quality from vendor to retail member.
7. Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures covering product buying.
8. Monitor and approve product credit requests.
9. Select, train, develop and appraise departmental personnel to ensure qualified staff and provide qualified people for promotion to a greater responsibility.
10. Make timely visits to member group headquarters and individual stores.
11. Conduct and supervise product training, marketing and merchandising seminars.
12. Support company philosophy on all aspects in accordance with stated positions in regards to trade, associates and retail members.
13. Develop and maintain professional relationships with all member stores.
14. Participate in formulating merchandising strategies of ad groups, major promotions, monthly and seasonal promotions and food shows, by insuring coordination of efforts and strategies of Member Services, all perishable departments, and Advertising department.
15. Keep on the leading edge of industry trends.
16. Develop relationships with the broker/vendor community to maximize sales and profits.
17. Work as a member of the AWG team so the total job responsibilities are met. Actions must always stress a sense of cooperation, integrity, tact and consideration with our members, associates and division management.
18. This position requires strong communication and computer skills with the ability to use and learn new technology. Management will be kept informed on planning, analysis, work performed and results. All records required by management must be complete, accurate and submitted on time.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation will be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense. The accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Retail grocery store or grocery wholesale experience preferred. Degree not required, but equivalent work experience in retail preferred; minimum of 5 years related experience in the preferred fields of grocery retail or wholesale; or equivalent combination of education and experience, with minimum 3 years in management.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write and speak English language. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to compile and administer a department budget.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form. Ability to reason with employees and vendors. Negotiating skills beneficial.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid Driver's License.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Knowledge of company policy and procedures. Product knowledge of meat items, accounting principles, communication skills, warehouse functions, billing and receiving procedures.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finer, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Adequate heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the job duties, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold in the coolers or freezer. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to occasionally loud. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
This position uses all available resources to guide the Department to continuous growth and financial success for the company.
