three sixty Merchandising Specialist

Position Summary

Professionally represent 360 Merchandising and its suppliers to Kroger. Actively facilitate communications with numerous suppliers/vendors/internal PLM team members. Provide administrative support for 360 Business Managers, focusing on client data entry and communication to drive growth. Actively represent 1-2 brands with Business Manager oversight to learn and become efficient in sales planning and other functions.

Essential Job Functions

• Work with Training and Development on best practice development for item setup, sales plan entry, vendor management, assortment lifecycle communications, etc.
• Assist Training and Development with training program enhancements.
• Actively oversee 1-2 brands, leading calls, and communication with our clients with Business Manager oversight.
• Update and Maintain Item Grids
• Prepare and distribute weekly client reports as required.
• Prepare period sales plan files for ESP entry and communicate with suppliers.
• Communicate with Kroger, Suppliers, and P.L. Marketing employees in a professional manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Position Qualifications

• 4 year degree preferred or any appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Degree in Business, Statistics, Marketing or Economics is desirable.
• 1 + years of retail grocery experience preferred.
• Expert knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of internet, email and web based applications.
• Understanding of Corporate Brands and their role in Kroger’s strategy.
• Strong organizational and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision.
• Able to communicate effectively with all levels of an audience from senior level executives, to administrative support.
• Able to prioritize and multi-task.
• Able to handle customer inquiries and issues.

Minimum Physical Abilities

• Must be able to: remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time.
• Must be able to lift 10-15 lbs. occasionally.

Desired Previous Job Experience

• Administrative support position in office environment supporting clients to Kroger.
• Retail or grocery experience.

Competencies/Skills

• Adaptability – maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Building Strategic Working Relationships – developing and using collaborative relationships with Merchandising Managers, Account Managers, Analysts, ASP’s, Vendors, CSM Teams and Category Managers to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
• Building Trust – interacting with Kroger suppliers and employees in a way that gives Kroger management confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to Kroger and P.L. Marketing employees in the English language.
• Customer Focus – making others’ needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive relationships with fellow P.L. Marketing and Kroger employees.
• Decision Making – identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences.
• Inclusion – Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability and motivation for a direct effect on business results.
• Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations.
• Leadership – ability to recognize and provide training opportunities; give clear direction to accomplish assigned tasks; hold others to high standards of accountability and address issues when needed in a way that encourages, not discourages the employee.
• Negotiation – effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
• Self-Starter– able to work without direct supervision; prioritizing, organizing and completing workload accurately within allotted time period.
• Work Standards – setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.