RETAIL OPERATIONS MANAGER (REMOTE)

About the role

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

We are looking to hire a Retail Operations Manager I on the US National Retail Team supporting a variety of retailers. The ideal candidate would live on the East Coast, preferably MD, DE, VA, NJ, and NC and have the ability to travel with frequency up to 60%. The Retail Operations Manager will report to a Sales Director.

Responsibilities

• Training sales managers and 3rd party managers on execution of retail activities within the assigned geographies.
• Broker Retail Management - lead on management or broker calls assigned/made, new items speed to shelf and merchandising activities performed. Lead sales voice to the broker on retail execution, measurement and improvement. Serve as the primary communication source with and to broker and other 3rd party retail field managers (and local management) regarding what McCormick’s expectations are for store coverage, retail call content, section merchandising standards, new item speed to shelf and competitive activities reporting.
• Analyzing brokers activities completed on calls assigned / made, new items speed to shelf and merchandising activities performed.
• Regular Retail Training store calls, expectations, plan of broker and 3rd party management and sales teams on in-store execution.
• Retail Planning - Broker and McCormick direct sales - effectively communicates retail expectation, execution and results at the Regional VP, Director and Manager level.
• Lead planning and execution of quarterly retail broker meetings and presentation development. Plan, coordinate and execute regular retail coverage team meetings with broker and 3rd party providers:
• designed to maintain appropriate seasonal focus on all McCormick’s portfolio of lines and products
• motivate and inspire retail coverage teams to deliver constantly improving sales results in stores
• Retail quarterly Audits - responsible for planning audits and market audit tours. Conduct regular retail store audits (and coordinate market audit blitz programs as directed):
• to stay current on changing market, customer and competitive conditions as to be a resource for marketing, sales and promotional planning
• to insure broker and other 3rd party providers clearly understand current objectives, are focused on delivering expected in-store results
• to adjust retail call coverage focus as needed
• Retail management oversees the retail execution of McCormick programs.
• Identifies retail opportunities to increase sales. Assists the Director of Retail Operations and Training to identify retail gaps and opportunities for improved business results.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Sales / Business / Marketing or related field.
• 4+ years experience in sales and/or analytics with knowledge of merchandising of products, consumer and trade promotional plans and retailers and markets.
• 2+ years experience working with Food Brokers including knowledge of their systems and business processes.
• Analytical (including interpretation) & project management skills.
• Good understanding of procedures and concepts within Sales, Retail Food Broker sales operations and extensive knowledge of retail merchandising standards and objectives.
• In-depth understanding of how Sales integrates with broker and the retail environment; understanding of the Industry, brokers, 3rd party selling agents & market in operation.
• Expert knowledge of McCormick product offerings.
• Ability to identify retail business opportunities. Knowledge of retail store operation / merchandising and retail industry.
• Ability to filter, prioritize, analyze and validate complex information to develop strategies.
• Problem solving abilities are required in ongoing retail broker KPI (Speed to shelf, calls made/assigned, Merchandising).
• Excellent leadership, presentation, communication, organizational and computer skills.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking skills.
• Relationship management, influencing and team-work skills.
• Valid drivers license and clean driving record
• Extensive travel.