Bakery-Deli Sales Manager II

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG); Norfolk (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is seeking a seasoned procurement and merchandising leader to develop budgets, supervise purchasing, and drive sales growth across member stores.

You will collaborate with corporate teams on promotions, ensure product quality, and develop staff for advancement while maintaining strong vendor relationships and industry awareness.

Qualifications

• Experience in grocery retail or wholesale; 5+ years preferred, degree not required.
• Minimum 3 years in management with related experience.
• Ability to read, interpret budgets and driving promotions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage department budgets for sales, gross profit, gains, promotions and expenses.
• Collaborate with procurement to ensure service levels, turns and inventory targets.
• Oversee product selection, purchasing and pricing strategies.
• Lead sales initiatives and promotional campaigns with corporate teams.
• Ensure product quality from vendors to members.
• Develop policies for product buying and vendor relations.
• Approve product credit requests.
• Hire and develop staff; prepare for promotion to higher roles.
• Visit member stores and headquarters regularly.
• Lead product training, marketing, and food show activities.
• Support company positions on trade matters related to members and associates.
• Maintain professional relationships with member stores.
• Coordinate merchandising strategies and weekly bakery/deli ad content.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and broker/vendor relationships.
• Work collaboratively across AWG to meet all responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively; manage records accurately and on time.

Skills

Budgeting

Procurement

Vendor relationships

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Grocery retail/wholesale experience (5+ years)

Management experience (3+ years)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the department head or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position. It is the responsibility of each individual at AWG to provide ultimate customer service to our members to support their efforts in increasing same store sales and profits.

1. Develop and achieve timely department budgets for sales, gross profit, gains, promotional spread and expense control.

2. Direct and work with corporate procurement team on the procurement of product to obtain service levels, proper turns, gains and adequate inventory levels.

3. Supervise the selection, purchasing and pricing of product and related product lines.

4. Work with corporate procurement on any sales initiatives and planned promotions.

5. Ensure product quality from vendor to retail member.

6. Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures covering product buying.

7. Monitor and approve product credit request.

8. Select, train, develop and appraise departmental personnel to ensure qualified staff and provide qualified people for promotion to a greater responsibility.

9. Make timely visits to member group headquarters and individual stores.

10. Conduct and supervise product training, marketing, merchandising seminars and food show area.

11. Support company philosophy on all aspects in accordance with stated positions in regards to trade, associates and retail members.

12. Develop and maintain professional relationships with all member stores.

13. Participate in formulating merchandising strategies of ad groups, major promotions, monthly and seasonal promotions and food shows, by insuring coordination of efforts and strategies of Member Services, all Perishable departments, and Advertising department. Also responsible for writing the weekly in house bakery deli ad.

14. Keep on the leading edge of industry trends.

15. Develop relationships with the broker/vendor community to maximize sales and profits.

16. Work as a member of the AWG team so the total job responsibilities are met. Actions must always stress a sense of cooperation, integrity, tact and consideration with our members, associates and division management.

17. This position requires strong communication and computer skills with the ability to use and learn new technology. Management will be kept informed on planning, analysis, work performed and results. All records required by management must be complete, accurate and submitted on time.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation will be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense. The accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Retail grocery store or grocery wholesale experience preferred. Degree not required, but equivalent work experience in retail preferred; minimum of 5 years related experience in the preferred fields of grocery retail or wholesale; or equivalent combination of education and experience, with minimum 3 years in management.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, write and speak English language. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to compile and administer a department budget.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form. Ability to reason with employees and vendors. Negotiating skills beneficial.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Driver's License.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Knowledge of company policy and procedures. Product knowledge of produce items, accounting principles, communication skills, warehouse functions, billing and receiving procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Adequate heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the job duties, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold in the warehouse setting – including coolers and freezer. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to occasionally loud. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

This position uses all available resources to guide the Department to continuous growth and financial success.

COMPETENCIES:

• Collaboration – Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Gains trust and support from others.

• Communicates effectively – Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization. Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.

• Being Resilient – Takes constructive action to navigate difficulties or obstacles. Maintains a positive attitude and forward-thinking approach despite troubling circumstances or setbacks.

• Strategic Mindset – Formulates a clear strategy and maps the aggressive steps that will clearly accelerate the organization toward its strategic initiatives.

• Ensures Accountability – Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.

• Financial Acumen – Transforms financial information into business intelligence through analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative information.

• Customer Focus – Serves as a strategic partner to build, grow and maintain profitable and long-lasting relationships with key accounts. Builds and delivers solutions that meet customers’ expectations.