Market Director, Merchandising - South Market

Sysco; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading foodservice distributor is seeking an experienced manager to lead their market merchandising team. This remote position requires a strong focus on customer order fulfillment improvement and inventory management. The role involves overseeing market-level product assortment, driving sales growth, and managing a team of market planners. Candidates should have significant management experience, preferably in a retail or distribution setting, along with a Bachelor's degree. Excellent communication and analytical skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of management experience required.
• Experience with category management and operations preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Experience in leading virtual teams.
• Strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of market planners and analysts to achieve goals.
• Oversee inventory metrics and service goals.
• Collaborate with operating company teams for strategic product assortment.
• Lead in interviewing and staffing of the team.
• Conduct comprehensive performance reviews with each associate.
• Oversee inventory metrics and service goals across markets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Team motivation

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master’s degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

LOCATION: 100% remote – prefer candidate reside in the South Market (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia).

Job Summary

Responsible for market-level performance, leading the management of the market merchandising team, which includes but is not limited to: customer order fulfillment improvement, inventory management with intent to maintain lowest possible DSO, merchandising activities that enhance profitability (realized equity, earned income and overall gross margin), support sales growth, logistics, assist in achieving warehouse operations efficiencies as it relates to inbound product, management and directing/developing merchandising staff. Leading and managing implementation and execution of merchandising capabilities and processes across multiple Operating Companies to drive Market-Level goals. Oversee Market-level product assortment and adoption of the national, market and local assortment to meet gross profit expectations and sales targets. Support execution of corporate category growth initiatives and provide field feedback to Corporate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead a large team (10+) of market planners and market analysts to achieve team goals. Responsible for:
  • Training, developing, managing, and supporting all direct reports to ensure consistency, accuracy, and timeliness of all work products.
  • Identify and develop top talent within the organization through utilization of Sysco’s established Talent Management programs.
  • Lead in the interviewing and staffing of the team.
  • Conduct comprehensive performance reviews with each associate per Sysco standards.
• Responsible for market-level inventory metrics and service goals through reporting and collaboration with Opco teams.
• Oversee market-level realized equity, earned income and product mix including item equity management and market cost utilization.
• Manage the steady-state execution of supplier, corporate and Market Merchandising initiatives.
• Provide necessary feedback to the operating company (OpCo) and corporate teams for action or alignment.
• Direct Market merchandising and supplier resources.
• Drive Market results based on operation company (OpCo) needs and support corporate initiatives.
• Collaborate with operation company (OpCo) within the market to achieve strategic product assortment.
• Sponsor supplier and broker engagement for best results in category case conversion and sales growth.
• Support engagement with all Sysco Specialty Companies including Sysco Specialty Meat Companies, Supplies On The Fly, European Imports and FreshPoint.
• Collaborate, support and facilitate available resource management in conjunction with Replenishment Services Managers.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5+ years of management/professional experience required (7+ years preferred).
• Significant category management experience, merchandising and/or operations experience within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment preferred.
• 3+ years of demonstrated success in leading people or projects (or combination of both) required.
• Experience in leading virtual teams preferred.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills required.
• Strong Excel skills preferred.
• Ability to manage & implement innovative strategies to maximize sales & gross profit potential while driving customer loyalty & MA engagement.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions required.
• Master’s degree a plus.

Skills

• Ability to influence and lead virtual teams.
• Ability to build high performing teams and enable best practice sharing and support culture.
• Ability to motivate high-performing teams & enable a culture of best practices.
• Ability to manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and build relationships across the organization/enterprise.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of different backgrounds.
• Collaborative change leader who uses multiple influencing styles to drive change.
• Analytical thinker who can draw sound business conclusions based on a strong fact base.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Encourage associate engagement/talent development.

NOTICE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and the level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.