Category Assistant Mgr - Beer And Wine

Job Title: Category Assistant Manager

• Beer and Wine

Department: Merchandising

Job Region: Store Support

• Portland

Reports-To: Program and Category Manager

• Beer and Wine

Exemption Status (typically): Exempt

Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year and as such work in support of our stores may include evening and weekend hours per the needs of the business. Valid Driver License and vehicle may be required, with ability to travel regularly to store locations, trade shows / events and/or other off-site locations throughout the local region.

About us: New Seasons Market began in 2000 when three families got together to open a neighborhood market, a place where local communities can come together to connect with where their food comes from. A friendly, inviting place that honors its region's farmers, ranchers, growers and makers-helping them prosper for generations to come. Over the years, our community has grown, but our goal is still the same: to build community through good food.

About the role: Responsible for the supporting overall direction, growth and execution of the company's Beer and Wine programs. Accountable for financial performance of the programs, including driving and achieving sales, margin and waste goals. Provides leadership, direction and mentorship for our Beer and Wine teams.

Position Responsibilities:

• Assists Program and Category Manager (PCM) in leading the Beer and Wine departments to ensure that the overall company's objectives are met regarding financials, vendor partnerships, product assortment, and supply chain.

• Assists in developing a product mix and merchandising best practices that meet company goals of variety, innovation, and margin targets and actively adjusts to shifting tastes, trends, and priorities.

• Manages evaluation and processing of New Vendor applications, assessing applicant's product quality, retail readiness, company compatibility, and long-term opportunity to build mutual success, and following through with vendor setup when necessary. Reviews local producer product submissions and responds in a timely manner regarding next steps or company decision.

• Supports PCM with review of assortment and product selection to ensure we are meeting our sourcing objective.

• Works with PCM and Group Director to identify and implement efficiencies and strategic innovations. Communicates program expectations to ensure successful store execution.

• Maximizes sales and margin potential for Beer and Wine departments. Communicates a clear vision on financial priorities.

• Assists with user-friendly program design and strategy development aimed to achieve financial goals, including sales goals, margin targets and waste improvement.

• Monitors program execution via weekly store visits, and provide a written follow up of store execution and action steps with department and store leadership. Works alongside store staff and / or our vendor partners when needed.

• Partners with Wine and Beer leadership and merchandising teams to quickly resolve issues impacting store operations, in stock conditions, inventory, margin, waste and store conditions. Identifies and communicates best practices, with support of store leadership teams.

• Monitors accuracy and consistency of departments systems and required record keeping. Including, but not limited to: Utilization of Online Inventory Management System for all functions PO's, inventory process and procedure, transfer recording, purchase journal/invoice tracking, food safety, and others, as necessary.

• Assists PCM with identification and execution of pricing and advertising programs/marketing materials.

• Assists in monitoring and performing routine analysis of categories, and program performance, making recommendations and changes that keep us relevant and financially sound.

• Supports PCM with period end financial reporting and the development of proposed action items. Executes those actions once agreed upon by PCM.

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with vendor partners, upholding our Pledge to Vendors to ensure we are the "best place to do business" while nurturing local supplier relationships that support our local food economies.

• Provides guidance to the Beer and Wine teams about changing customer trends. Gather insights from internal and external resources to enable fact-based decision-making. Assists in product training.

• Collaborates with store leadership teams and serves as a resource for the professional development of Beer and Wine Managers. Provides insightful, helpful and consistent performance feedback.

• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

• Tools and Equipment Used (not all inclusive): This position works with standard office equipment. May be required to use the following tools and equipment when working in stores or offsite; baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (i.e. blast chiller, grill, knives/blades, oven, grills, scales, etc.) and basic housekeeping / janitorial items.

• This position works consistently at a light work level and may be asked to work on occasion at a medium or heavy work level when supporting stores or other offsite events. Frequently required to sit, walk, reach and grasp. Occasionally required to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders.

• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

General Requirements:

• Understands and models our company culture. Acts as a steward of company resources, mission, vision and values. Promotes sustainable business practices.

• Embraces an agile work environment and guides others through change and continuous improvement.

• Builds community within and outside of New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets. Works in stores and other offsite events and locations as needed to support our core business and community.

• Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.

• Demonstrates ability to manage own time and models a flexible work style. Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department. Creative with problem-solving and is solutions-oriented.

• Utilizes strategic thinking, data and industry knowledge, and calculated risk-taking to create competitive advantage.

• Communication style is confident, informative, adaptive to different styles and effective.

• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company Speak Up culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.

• Maintains confidentiality and exercise good judgment around sensitive information.

• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store and office cleanliness, maintains equipment.

• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.

What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in operations in operations in a grocery retail environment, with strong financial and operational acumen and demonstrated success in running and growing a retail service department preferred.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the wine & beer industry, with comprehensive wine & beer knowledge and an understanding of Pacific Northwest producers and products in particular preferred.

• Previous experience with program development in a retail service environment.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related fields or equivalent experience preferred.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, with skills to learn new programs and systems.

• Collaborative, strategic thinker and problem solver, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with ability to respond to urgent job responsibilities as they arise and flexible when priorities redirect.

• Valid driver's license and vehicle required, with ability to travel regularly to store locations throughout the local region.

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in office, a variety of off-site environments and in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.