Merchandise Department Manager

Cost-U-Less, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cost-U-Less, Inc. is seeking a Merchandise Department Manager to oversee day-to-day operations in the merchandise departments, reporting to the Assistant Store Manager - Merchandising.

You will lead a goal-oriented team to meet company standards and drive in‑stock, pricing accuracy, and sales performance. The role emphasizes training, safety, and adherence to policies while developing staff for advancement within the organization.

Qualifications

• Must have previous experience with department or grocery store stocking/merchandising or warehouse club format merchandising.
• Previous retail or hospitality experience in a managerial role required.
• High School or Secondary School diploma or a combination of experience and education required.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office products 2007 and up.
• Intermediate computer abilities.
• Able to meet all country or region immigration regulations and have valid documents to meet these qualifications.
• Basic math and reading skills a must.
• Able to work well on own or within a team.
• Self-motivated to work quickly and efficiently to complete the entire task within time limits.
• Able to correctly manage the time to meet deadlines and targets and to manage subordinates to do the same.
• Ability to quickly adapt to new working environments, situations and cultures.
• Able to provide a clean police record where applicable by local regulations.
• Able to provide a current health certificate where applicable by local regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the General Merchandise Category Managers, continuously communicating store, vendor, product and market attributes, ideas on new products and issues.
• Certify that all team members are properly trained and have a complete understanding of their job duties, department standards and company safety procedures; promote safety in the workplace on a daily basis.
• Make certain that all members of the merchandising supervisory team understand their daily workload and daily assignments.
• Direct merchandising team in the execution of the merchandising plan, assuring in‑stock position, accurate pricing, code dating compliance, and overall sales floor maintenance.
• Responsible for ensuring that the merchandising supervisory team maintain excellent sanitation and safety standards.
• Responsible for ensuring that general merchandise products are presented according to CUL standards to achieve maximum sales.
• Ensure that customer satisfaction is maximized through proper stock levels, stock mix and merchandising presentation.
• Achieve sales, inventory turns and gross profit per budget.
• Guarantee that all department personnel are trained and strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures; promote safety in the workplace on a daily basis.
• Ensure compliance with all company and local government standards.
• Working with other department managers, cross‑train personnel in each other’s departments to meet the needs of the business. This includes covering for illnesses and vacations.
• Ensure the timely implementation of promotional programs.
• Review and approve all department log sheets throughout shift, at the end of the day and at the end of the week.
• Oversee the accurate and timely submission of weekly comp shops.
• Review damages report submitted by department Supervisors on a daily/weekly basis; provide guidance on how best to minimize damages going forward. Report findings, solutions and the department successes and challenges to Manager.
• Recruit, interview, and hire merchandising staff.
• Prepare and post weekly staff schedules assuring that the appropriate staffing levels are met on a daily/weekly basis to meet the needs of the business. This includes consideration needed for meal periods, vacations etc.
• Develop, and adjust as necessary, short and long term staffing strategies based on assessment of merchandising and receiving staffing needs, labor budgets, and labor costs.
• Ensure all employees understand job responsibilities, company policies, safety and sanitation standards, and expectations of performance.
• Evaluate, hold accountable and review performance of merchandising staff. Set goals for next review period, recommend wage changes and promotions, utilize appropriate discipline and counseling and make appropriate termination decisions in accordance with company policies and only after consultation with Corporate Human Resources.
• Coach employees to improve and maximize performance, commitment to quality work and commitment to the company.
• Develop employees for advancement within the company.

Skills

Retail management

Stocking & merchandising

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Safety compliance

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Computer literacy

Job description

The Merchandise Department Manager, who directly reports to the Assistant Store Manager - Merchandising, successfully manages the day‑to‑day operations in the merchandise departments in a customer focused, safe, and efficient manner. The role is also responsible for assisting in the development of a goal oriented team accountable for meeting company standards.

Joining NWCI gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWCI is a leading retailer to underserved rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the General Merchandise Category Managers, continuously communicating store, vendor, product and market attributes, ideas on new products and issues
• Certify that all team members are properly trained and have a complete understanding of their job duties, department standards and company safety procedures; promote safety in the workplace on a daily basis
• Make certain that all members of the merchandising supervisory team understand their daily workload and daily assignments
• Direct merchandising team in the execution of the merchandising plan, assuring in‑stock position, accurate pricing, code dating compliance, and overall sales floor maintenance
• Responsible for ensuring that the merchandising supervisory team maintain excellent sanitation and safety standards
• Responsible for ensuring that general merchandise products are presented according to CUL standards to achieve maximum sales
• Ensure that customer satisfaction is maximized through proper stock levels, stock mix and merchandising presentation
• Achieve sales, inventory turns and gross profit per budget
• Guarantee that all department personnel are trained and strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures; promote safety in the workplace on a daily basis
• Ensure compliance with all company and local government standards
• Working with other department managers, cross‑train personnel in each other’s departments to meet the needs of the business. This includes covering for illnesses and vacations
• Ensure the timely implementation of promotional programs
• Review and approve all department log sheets throughout shift, at the end of the day and at the end of the week
• Oversee the accurate and timely submission of weekly comp shops
• Review damages report submitted by department Supervisors on a daily/weekly basis; provide guidance on how best to minimize damages going forward. Report findings, solutions and the department successes and challenges to Manager
• Recruit, interview, and hire merchandising staff
• Prepare and post weekly staff schedules assuring that the appropriate staffing levels are met on a daily/weekly basis to meet the needs of the business. This includes consideration needed for meal periods, vacations etc.
• Develop, and adjust as necessary, short and long term staffing strategies based on assessment of merchandising and receiving staffing needs, labor budgets, and labor costs
• Ensure all employees understand job responsibilities, company policies, safety and sanitation standards, and expectations of performance
• Evaluate, hold accountable and review performance of merchandising staff. Set goals for next review period, recommend wage changes and promotions, utilize appropriate discipline and counseling and make appropriate termination decisions in accordance with company policies and only after consultation with Corporate Human Resources
• Coach employees to improve and maximize performance, commitment to quality work and commitment to the company
• Develop employees for advancement within the company

Desired Skills & Experience

• Must have previous experience with department or grocery store stocking/merchandising or warehouse club format merchandising
• Previous retail or hospitality experience in a managerial role required
• High School or Secondary School diploma or a combination of experience and education required
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office products 2007 and up
• Intermediate computer abilities
• Ability to meet all country or region immigration regulations and have valid documents to meet these qualifications
• Basic math and reading skills a must
• Able to work well on own or within a team
• Self‑motivated to work quickly and efficiently to complete the entire task within time limits
• Able to correctly manage the time to meet deadlines and targets and to manage subordinates to do the same
• Ability to quickly adapt to new working environments, situations and cultures
• Able to provide a clean police record where applicable by local regulations
• Able to provide a current health certificate where applicable by local regulations

Working Conditions

• Able to stand for long periods of time throughout shift
• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs on a consistent basis
• Able to stoop and bend on a regular basis
• Fast paced work environment
• Ability to work flexible hours, shifts and days including morning to evening, weekends, overnight and public holidays
• Able to work inside and outside the building

Positions will be advertised externally; however internal candidates will receive first consideration based on qualifications. NWC employees are encouraged to bring forward applications of external candidates that meet the qualifications of this position.

NOTE: If an existing employee is selected for a posted position they will be required to remain in that position a minimum of one year prior to applying for other posted positions unless authorized by their current supervisor. New employees to the company must also remain in their position a minimum of one year prior to applying for posted positions unless authorized by their supervisor. This position adheres to the Corporate Job Posting Guidelines.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.