Buyer/Merchandiser - Center Store

About the role

Festival Foods is a Wisconsin grocer dedicated to community service and guest satisfaction. We operate over 40 full-service supermarkets across Wisconsin. The Buyer/Merchandiser - Center Store reports to the Grocery and Wine/Spirits Sr. Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Build weekly itemization, pricing, and layout for ad insert, direct mail, and digital advertising offers that deliver sales and gross profit plans.
• Proof all department advertising for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify suppliers (vendors, brokers, manufacturers), select merchandise, and negotiate contracts.
• Negotiate and purchase products at the most favorable cost in quantities consistent with store trends and sales volume.
• Maintain sales of key items and make adjustments based on competitor market pricing and advertising.
• Manage every day and seasonal assortments of products for all store locations.
• Review and provide direction on deselection of items, addition of new items, and placement for planograms.
• Negotiate advertising, new item, and placement fees with vendors.
• Develop key strategies to drive sales, while analyzing market trends of new and existing items.
• Deliver AOP Sales and Gross Profit targets.
• Forecast and place timely orders of key ad items, seasonal items, and warehouse inventory.
• Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, related field, or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years buying and merchandising experience preferred.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, quantitative analysis, resource allocation, and leadership techniques.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, Outlook.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills including verbal communication, listening, negotiation, problem solving, decision making, and being assertive.
• Must work well in a team environment while being collaborative in research and execution of the team plan.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Sitting/standing at a desk/computer 75% of the time.
• Professional presence and proper phone and e-mail etiquette is required.
• Requires fine finger and broad manual dexterity.

Work Schedule

The Buyer/Merchandiser is a full-time position.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Associate Discount: 15% off grocery purchases for you and your immediate household.
• Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly, providing more frequent access to funds. Part-time store associates receive a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Hourly full-time store associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
• Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Better planning, better balance. Schedules provided two weeks in advance.
• Vision & Dental Insurance: Eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options designed to fit your needs.
• Total Well-being Support: 3 weeks of paid parental leave, fitness reimbursement program, EAP (Employee Assistance Program), and LEAPCare Care Coaches for care related to hospital visits, conflict resolution, stress management, marriage or divorce, family issues, and depression or anxiety.
• Savings for Retirement: 401(k) plan empowering associates to save a portion of their paychecks for retirement. Festival Foods offers an annual discretionary match to help associates reach their savings goals.