AVP WIC Grocery

JMJ PHILLIP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

JMJ PHILLIP seeks an experienced AVP WIC Grocery leader to oversee grocery operations, business performance, and strategic initiatives for WIC programs and customers in Chicago. You will lead across operations, merchandising, vendor relationships, compliance, and team development to ensure strong service and financial results.

You will drive strategic leadership, oversee WIC program operations, merchandising and vendor management, and monitor key performance indicators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Significant experience in grocery, retail, operations, program management, or a related leadership role.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex business operations.
• Strong understanding of grocery merchandising, vendor management, and financial performance.
• Knowledge of WIC program operations and compliance requirements is preferred.
• Strong strategic, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational improvements and business results.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to support grocery operations and overall business objectives.
• Establish performance goals, monitor key metrics, and implement initiatives to improve results.
• Provide leadership and guidance to teams responsible for WIC grocery operations.
• Identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved customer experience.
• Oversee processes supporting WIC program requirements and operational compliance.
• Ensure grocery operations align with applicable program standards and regulations.
• Monitor program performance and address operational challenges.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure consistent execution of WIC-related initiatives.
• Oversee product assortment, pricing, availability, and merchandising strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with grocery suppliers and strategic partners.
• Monitor market trends and customer needs to identify opportunities for assortment improvement.
• Collaborate with vendors to support availability, quality, and competitive pricing.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, margins, and other key business performance indicators.
• Develop initiatives to improve operational efficiency and financial results.
• Review performance reports and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensure resources are effectively allocated to meet business objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop teams to achieve operational and strategic goals.
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability.
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement across teams.
• Support workforce planning and organizational development initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Operational improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/ Retail Management/ Operations/ Supply Chain

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic AVP WIC Grocery leader to oversee grocery operations, business performance, and strategic initiatives supporting WIC-related programs and customers. This role will provide leadership across operations, merchandising, vendor relationships, compliance, and team development while ensuring strong service, financial performance, and program execution.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute strategies to support grocery operations and overall business objectives.
• Establish performance goals, monitor key metrics, and implement initiatives to improve results.
• Provide leadership and guidance to teams responsible for WIC grocery operations.
• Identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved customer experience.

WIC Program Operations

• Oversee processes supporting WIC program requirements and operational compliance.
• Ensure grocery operations align with applicable program standards and regulations.
• Monitor program performance and address operational challenges.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure consistent execution of WIC-related initiatives.

Merchandising & Vendor Management

• Oversee product assortment, pricing, availability, and merchandising strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with grocery suppliers and strategic partners.
• Monitor market trends and customer needs to identify opportunities for assortment improvement.
• Collaborate with vendors to support availability, quality, and competitive pricing.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Monitor revenue, expenses, margins, and other key business performance indicators.
• Develop initiatives to improve operational efficiency and financial results.
• Review performance reports and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensure resources are effectively allocated to meet business objectives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop teams to achieve operational and strategic goals.
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability.
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement across teams.
• Support workforce planning and organizational development initiatives.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• Significant experience in grocery, retail, operations, program management, or a related leadership role.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex business operations.
• Strong understanding of grocery merchandising, vendor management, and financial performance.
• Knowledge of WIC program operations and compliance requirements is preferred.
• Strong strategic, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational improvements and business results.

Certifications (Preferred, but not Required)

• Certified Retail Operations Professional (CROP).
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Relevant WIC, retail, grocery, or food industry certifications.

What the Role Offers

• Competitive salary of up to $120,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
• Senior leadership opportunity within grocery and WIC-related operations.
• Opportunity to influence business strategy, operational performance, and customer experience.
• Cross-functional collaboration with operations, merchandising, vendors, and leadership teams.
• Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.

Why Chicago?

Chicago offers a strong and diverse retail and grocery market with access to a large professional talent pool and extensive business networks. Its established food, retail, and distribution industries provide an excellent environment for professionals focused on grocery operations, program management, and business growth.