Business Development Manager - Grocery

Job Description:SUPERVALU is a grocery retail and supply chain powerhouse that leverages its national scale while maintaining a strong focus on local relevance. Our corporate led Merchandising collaboration strategy supports powerful local programs in numerous regions and banners across the Enterprise to deliver a superior shopping experience to all of our customers. We operate a world-class supply chain network to support our own retail stores as well as several thousand independent grocery retailers.We look to an innovative team of associates to help us achieve our business goals. Because we have a variety of key roles and responsibilities at various levels, the opportunity for career growth and development is limitless. Our numerous Enterprise Merchandising initiatives will offer challenging and rewarding careers. We’re poised to win in the marketplace-we’re seeking winners!Position Title: Business Development Manager - Grocery PRIMARY FUNCTIONThe Business Development Manager (BDM) has primary responsibility for creating and implementing all phases of merchandising planning. The BDM establishes the overall category strategy in order to meet and exceed sales and total profit expectations of a given category. Is responsible for bringing innovation and industry leading change to categories with sales averaging $600 million. Provides input on quarterly and annual merchandising plans.The BDM develops a consumer-centric business model by interacting at the broadest level with BDMs of other categories to drive efficiencies across the organization. They have leading and influencing skills that enable them to successfully work cross-functionally with Banner/Region and Enterprise Merchandising partners. This role manages vendor relationships, negotiates terms and manages funds for its category on a national scale. It establishes and manages ad/promo priorities, defines and refines assortment and presentation, and sets pricing guidelines. The BDM is also responsible for managing a staff comprised of Business Support Managers and/or Business Support Specialists. Staff will range from 2-6 direct reports, which will vary based on category complexity.JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES1. Business Planning Responsibilities: Identifies and drives category strategies and initiatives; defines/assigns category rules; delivers against period, quarterly and annual forecast; develops a strategic Category Business Plan (CBP). Develops annual & quarterly category merchandising strategy and plans based on evaluation of past performance, consumer and competitive/company trends with a focus on current banner/region insights. Analyzes and develops consumer integrated business plans in collaboration with vendors. Develops innovative new products, programs, and processes to deliver industry differentiation within category. Reviews competitive activity and adjusts programs and tactics accordingly. Establishes, manages and disseminates quarterly sales targets by category Utilizes category scorecards and consumer insights to identify trends that lead to alignment of sales and profit goals and commitments.2. Ad/Promo Responsibilities: Sets, reconciles and manages annual and quarterly promotional programs by category. Analyzes market, supplier, and consumer information to identify national promo opportunities; provides input to departmental leadership on ad space allocations by department/banner, i.e. ad space plan; negotiates promo/display and ad terms for national deals.3. Assortment and Presentation Responsibilities: Reviews full assortment and develops plan; determines regional/banner assortment and presentation; reviews lines and new items with national vendors; reviews and approves national and local vendor recommendations; oversees discontinue/markdown planning for national items; item and vendor setup. Leads development of shelf presentation; works in collaboration with regional and banner merchants to collect weekly category performance feedback. 4. Pricing Responsibilities: Establishes pricing strategy and goals by category by market place. These responsibilities may include: Sets pricing guidelines; reviews/recommends prices for categories; develops and maintains sensitive items list. Provides direction to pricing specialist for price changes.5. Sourcing Responsibilities: Cultivates effective relationships with vendors and leads national vendor negotiations. Establishes and manages the vendor funds strategy, is responsible for national and local vendor approval, classification and tiering. Establishes strategic relations with key suppliers that lead to new consumer and industry insights. Works in tandem with the Sourcing Manager. Responsible for the development and creation of product specification.6. Managerial Responsibilities: Responsible for creating and maintaining internal and external successful relationships across the Enterprise Merchandising, banners and regions. Leads, coaches and develops BSMs. Also responsible for leading Business Support Specialists and other members of the Enterprise Merchandising in initiatives and day-to-day tasks. Actively involved in recruiting Business Support Managers and Business Support Specialists. Responsible for performance appraisals and performance management for those roles.Additional responsibilities as assigned. JOB REQUIREMENTS1. Education, Certification, and Relevant Experience: BA degree, or equivalent experience, plus a minimum of 5 years retail merchandising and supply chain management experience with responsibility across multiple banners and regions/geographies. Has an in-depth understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices (P&L, financial management, etc). Greater depth of specific category expertise may be required on a case-by-case basis.2. Analytical Skills: Must have a strong knowledge base in supermarket retail and an understanding of consumer behavior in relation to product performance; must carry a detailed understanding of cause-effect relations between operational levers and performance (assortment/price vs. volume/margins) by utilizing financial, statistical, merchandising, marketing, and/or consumer research background. Strong financial background.3. Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to work successfully across all areas of the company; can successfully monitor performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to influence and lead effective partnerships with the banners/regions; can thrive in a complicated matrix environment.4. Innovation: Champions new ideas and initiatives and creates an environment that supports innovation; leverages fresh perspectives, breakthrough ideas, and new paradigms to create value in the market. 5. Negotiation Skills: Must demonstrate ability to negotiate contracts and terms in order to gain maximum advantage for costs and vendor funding opportunities. Experience in developing complicated and national contracts. 6. Strategic Skills: Demonstrate ability to understand and think big picture; delivers category plans and programs that complement both the corporate, independent retailer and departmental strategies leading to strong category sales and profit performance.7. Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside of the company. 8. Technical Skills: Well developed computer aptitude with proficient skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office; ability to adapt to and learn new systems quickly.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS1. Some travel requiredClick here to apply via the SuperValu Career Opportunity PortalYears of Experience Required: More than 5 yearsExpected Travel Time: NoneThis company may offer relocation assistance. Company: Supervalu Location: Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Status: Full Time, Employee Job Category: Sales/Retail/Business Development Company: Supervalu