Merchandising Assistant

National Buying Services is the department dedicated to acquiring the goods that our ALDI customers count on. Beyond working to secure quality products at the lowest possible prices through our Buying and support teams (Administration, Pricing, Merchandising, Quality Assurance and more), our teams ensure we are providing the best value and quality in everything we do.

As a Merchandising Assistant you will become the subject matter expert on space within your categories and be responsible for building and maintaining planograms for all of ALDI's more than 2300 stores. In this position, you will take ownership of your planograms ensuring they are updated on schedule throughout the year, maintain the sets at the ALDI mock store and manage accurate product information. In addition, you will support the buying organization by providing recommendations on product placement and flow using category insights and competition analysis. The ideal candidate will be a quick learner of software programs, have strong attention to detail, be highly organized, excel at time management, and have excellent communication skills to support building accurate planograms for stores to execute.

Position Type: Full-Time

Starting Wage: $27.75 per hour

Work Location: Batavia, IL

This role is eligible to participate in ALDI's Hybrid Work Program, which allows remote work up to 3 days per week (i.e., work remotely up to 3 days per week; work in-office at least 2 days per week)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Liaises with internal and external service providers as required and directed by their direct leader.

• Ensures that all planograms follow established merchandising principles and are profitable, operationally efficient, customer focused and appropriate in terms of product mix, style, and the trading environment of our stores.

• Develops, builds, and maintains accurate product databases ensuring all product dimensions and images are up to date and available in the database at all times.

• Develops, builds, and maintains planograms utilizing the Spaceman Professional software in line with business deadlines.

• Ensures all planograms are updated based on specific promotions and deadlines throughout the year.

• Reviews planogram performance and space allocations by providing reports and analysis to their leader.

• Ensures the ALDI Insight Center is kept up to date with all new monthly launches and seasonal resets.

• Supports National Buying with the annual category review by providing recommendations on product placement and planogram flow using category insights and competition analysis as well as optimizing shelf space through case design.

• Develops and maintains an extended knowledge of the greater National Buying Services and Operations Department to maximize efficiency in planogram development.

• Takes ownership of merchandising files and ensures relevant timelines are adhered to.

• Creates clear and concise bulletins for Divisions.

• Actively manages their area of responsibility by taking initiative, suggesting ways of improving systems for greater efficiency and not back-delegating.

• Performs all assigned tasks accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

• Complies with ALDI privacy and security requirements and policies if job responsibilities include possible access to confidential and/or sensitive information.

• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.

• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize and work under strict deadlines.

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

• Ability to stay organized and multi-task efficiently.

• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of merchandising practices.

Education and Experience:

• Associate's Degree in Merchandising, Business or a related field required.

• A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience required.

• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.

• Experience in Spaceman Shelf Management Software, Nielsen, and/or AutoCAD preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.

• Frequently sitting, walking, bending/squatting/grasping, reaching below waist, above shoulder, and horizontally, as well as lifting of items up to 5 lbs.

• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.

• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 50 lbs.

• 10-20% of work is performed in a store staging environment at the ALDI Insight Center or store as required which includes:

o Occasionally lifting items 6 to 10 lbs.

o Infrequently lifting items 11 to 50 lbs.

• Note: amount of time at ALDI Insight Center (AIC) is dependent on time of year.

Travel:

• Local travel required.

• Up to 10%.

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan

• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays

• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay

• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay

• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance

• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Click here to learn more about the benefits ALDI has to offer

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.