Merchants Distributors, LLC

Deli/Bakery Category Manager

Merchants Distributors, LLC  •  Hickory, NC (Onsite)  •  4 hours ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

Lead the strategic growth of Deli and Bakery categories by managing assortment, pricing, promotions, vendor partnerships, merchandising programs, customer engagement, training, and category performance. Drive sales growth, profitability, market share, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence across all MDI retailers, advertising group banners, and international customers.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute annual category business plans to achieve sales, gross profit, inventory turn, market share, and growth
  • Manage product assortments, item introductions, SKU rationalization, warehouse capacity optimization, and category space productivity to maximize sales and
  • Negotiate and manage vendor relationships, contracts, preferred vendor agreements, RFP processes, payback programs, billbacks, customer credits, promotional funding, and vendor performance
  • Develop pricing, recommended retail, promotional, and merchandising strategies that improve competitiveness, profitability, and customer
  • Create, maintain, and analyze planograms and category merchandising standards to optimize shelf productivity, product placement, and the customer shopping
  • Partner with merchandising, advertising, operations, and sales teams to develop and execute promotional events, seasonal programs, category campaigns, and customer engagement
  • Manage digital coupon and promotional programs, evaluate results, and implement improvements that enhance customer engagement and sales
  • Analyze category performance using POS data, financial reports, consumer insights, market trends, and promotional analytics to identify opportunities and drive continuous
  • Develop and maintain operational guides, training materials, merchandising resources, marketing collateral, service standards, SOPs, and category selling
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with retailers, advertising group banners, international customers, brokers, and supplier partners to support category growth and
  • Develop and deliver training programs for retailers, purchasers, merchandisers, field associates, and sales teams while providing ongoing coaching and field support to ensure program
  • Lead vendor business reviews, strategic planning sessions, broker meetings, and supplier collaboration efforts to drive innovation, promotions, service improvements, and category
  • Monitor industry trends through trade shows, supplier conferences, professional development activities, and market research, sharing insights and recommendations with customers and company
  • Lead the planning and execution of merchandising shows, retailer meetings, customer events, and category showcases to strengthen communication, promote programs, and drive
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and development to buyers and support cross-functional initiatives, task forces, and continuous improvement efforts while performing other duties as assigned.
  • Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or related field.
    • 3-5+ years of experience in retail, category management, merchandising, procurement, or related disciplines.
    • Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, leadership, presentation, and organizational skills.
    • Experience with category management, merchandising, planograms, POS analysis, digital promotions, and retailer development.

    #LI-VP1

    Merchants Distributors, LLC

    About Merchants Distributors, LLC

    Merchants Distributors (MDI) is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory, NC. MDI supplies over 600 retail food stores with food and non-food items in NC, SC, GA, TN, VA, AL, WV, OH, FL, PA, MD, and KY.

    MDI celebrated its 85th anniversary on September 21, 2016. MDI's 85 year history is an interesting story of sacrifice, growth and success. It began as a small family business in the small town of Hickory, North Carolina, and as one local newspaper described it, "With little more than a bag of peanuts, an apple, and a stick of candy."​ What Lebanese immigrant Moses George and his sons purchased in 1931 for $17,000 has since grown to become a multimillion-dollar wholesale grocery company.

    Merchants Distributors is a great American success story but it is a company that has never forgotten its roots. Its success is based on:

    - Its values, its facilities, its variety, its Advertising programs, its cost of goods, and its innovations

    - The one thing that distinguishes MDI as superior to other distribution companies - leadership. MDI's owners have created a leadership style that supports the organization as one family working together for one common goal and a culture in its people that is impossible to duplicate.

    Industry
    Wholesale & Distribution
    Company Size
    501-1,000 employees
    Headquarters
    Hickory, NC
    Year Founded
    1931
    Website
    mdi.com
    Social Media