VP, Merchandising - Fresh

Grocery-Outlet; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Grocery Outlet in Emeryville, CA seeks a VP of Merchandising (Fresh) to lead Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat, representing over $1.1 billion in annual sales. You will lead a team of ~15 with end-to-end accountability for strategy, sales, margin, sourcing, assortment, inventory performance and team development.

You are a hands‑on, entrepreneurial merchant who shapes long‑term strategy while staying close to commodity markets, supplier relationships and key buying decisions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive merchandising, buying or category management experience.
• Experience at VP level or leading a large merchandising business.
• Proven ability to manage sales, margin, sourcing and inventory.
• Strong knowledge of Fresh markets, supplier economics and inventory dynamics.
• Excellent negotiation, leadership and strategic communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall strategy and financial performance of Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat.
• Lead assortment planning, buying, pricing and promotions.
• Develop supplier relationships and lead major negotiations.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Store Operations on inventory and availability.
• Develop leaders and build a high-performing merchandising team.

Skills

Merchandising leadership

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Supplier management

Category management

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Job description

• Our Mission: Touching lives for the better
• Our Vision: Touching lived by being the first choice for bargain-minded consumers in the U.S.

About the Role:

As VP of Merchandising (Fresh), you will lead Grocery Outlet’s Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat businesses, representing approximately 25% of the company and more than $1.1 billion in annual sales. Leading a team of ~15 you will have end-to-end accountability for strategy, sales, margin, sourcing, assortment, inventory performance and team development.

You are a hands-on, entrepreneurial merchant who can shape long-term strategy while remaining close to commodity markets, supplier relationships and key buying decisions. You will bring deep Fresh expertise, strong financial and analytical capabilities and a proven ability to build trusted relationships and develop high-performing merchants and future leaders. The VP of Merchandising reports to the Chief Purchasing & Merchandising Officer.

About the Team:

We’re a passionate and collaborative merchandising team dedicated to delivering the right products at the right price, with the right presentation to inspire our customers and drive results. We blend market insights, customer understanding, and operational excellence to create compelling assortments, impactful promotions, and consistent in-store experiences. Guided by data, creativity, and a commitment to quality, we partner across the business to bring our merchandising vision to life in every store.

Responsibilities Include:

Fresh Business Strategy and Financial Performance:

• Own the overall strategy and financial performance of the Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat businesses, representing more than $1.1 billion in annual sales.
• Deliver sustainable sales growth, gross margin expansion, inventory productivity and improved customer penetration across both categories.
• Develop and execute short and long term business strategies aligned with company priorities, customer needs and Grocery Outlet’s value proposition.
• Translate broader company objectives into clear category priorities, financial targets and execution plans.
• Identify opportunities to grow the Fresh business through assortment optimization, pricing, promotions, innovation, sourcing strategies and improved operational execution.
• Monitor business performance and take timely action to address sales, margin, inventory, supply or execution challenges.
• Ensure Fresh strategies balance quality, availability, value, profitability and the needs of Grocery Outlet’s Independent Operators.

Merchandising and Buying Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership across assortment planning, buying, pricing, promotions, category management and product lifecycle decisions.
• Remain closely connected to commodity markets, supplier dynamics, competitive activity and emerging consumer trends.
• Ensure category leaders make timely, customer-focused and data-informed decisions.
• Balance strategic leadership with a willingness to engage directly in major buys, supplier negotiations and time-sensitive business decisions.
• Establish clear merchandising standards and processes that improve decision quality, speed, accountability and execution.
• Build a Fresh assortment that consistently delivers quality, value, relevance and differentiation for customers.
• Ensure Produce and Fresh Meat strategies are integrated where appropriate while recognizing the distinct operating requirements of each business.

Sourcing and Supplier Partnerships:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with growers, producers, packers, manufacturers, distributors and other strategic Fresh suppliers.
• Lead major supplier negotiations involving cost, quality, volume, service levels, promotional funding and long-term partnership opportunities.
• Expand and strengthen Grocery Outlet’s supplier network to improve product access, quality, economics and continuity of supply.
• Use market knowledge and supplier relationships to identify opportunistic buys and differentiated product opportunities.
• Establish clear supplier performance expectations and hold partners accountable for service, quality, food safety, cost and execution.
• Represent Grocery Outlet credibly and effectively within the Fresh supplier community.
• Anticipate supply, commodity and market risks and develop strategies to protect the business and maintain customer value.

Distribution and Supply Chain Transformation:

• Partner closely with Supply Chain and Operations to build Fresh distribution capabilities that support business growth, quality, freshness and product availability.
• Provide merchandising leadership through the continued evolution of the company’s distribution model, including transitions from third-party distribution to self-distribution where appropriate.
• Translate Fresh business requirements into clear distribution, transportation, inventory and service-level expectations.
• Help establish the processes, operating routines and cross-functional accountability required to support a successful distribution transformation.
• Identify and resolve operational barriers affecting inventory flow, freshness, quality, shrink, service levels and store execution.
• Balance merchandising priorities with distribution capacity, operational requirements and financial considerations.
• Use data and business insights to improve forecasting, replenishment, inventory positioning and product flow.

Independent Operator and Store Partnership:

• Develop Fresh strategies that support the needs of Grocery Outlet’s Independent Operators and their local customers.
• Build strong relationships with Independent Operators and field leaders to understand store-level opportunities, barriers and customer needs.
• Create merchandising programs that are practical, scalable and executable within an independently operated store environment.
• Clearly communicate the business rationale, value and execution expectations behind Fresh initiatives.
• Incorporate operator and field feedback into assortment, promotional, sourcing and operational decisions.
• Partner with Store Operations and field leadership to improve store execution, product presentation, inventory productivity and the customer experience.
• Promote shared accountability between Merchandising, Supply Chain, field teams and Independent Operators.

Marketing and Customer Experience

• Partner with Marketing to develop Fresh campaigns, promotions and customer messaging that communicate quality, value and product differentiation.
• Ensure Fresh priorities are effectively represented in company marketing, promotional planning and seasonal events.
• Use customer insights, competitive intelligence and performance data to inform category and promotional strategies.
• Strengthen Fresh as a traffic driver and important component of the overall Grocery Outlet shopping experience.
• Ensure marketing commitments are supported by adequate inventory, supplier alignment and operational readiness.
• Continuously evaluate promotional effectiveness and adjust strategies based on results.

Team Leadership and Talent Development:

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing organization across Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat.
• Build a strong pipeline of Buyers, category leaders and merchandising executives capable of taking on broader responsibilities.
• Set clear expectations for business ownership, financial performance, supplier management, collaboration and execution.
• Develop Buyers who demonstrate strong merchant instincts, analytical rigor, negotiation capability and sound business judgment.
• Create an environment in which leaders are expected to make decisions, challenge assumptions and take accountability for results.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching and development opportunities that strengthen individual and team performance.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing culture grounded in integrity, humility, urgency, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional and Enterprise Leadership:

• Serve as a key member of the Purchasing and Merchandising leadership team.
• Build strong, trusted relationships across Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and Store Operations.
• Bring an enterprise perspective to decisions and balance category priorities with the needs of the overall business.
• Establish clear cross-functional operating routines, performance measures and decision‑making responsibilities.
• Communicate openly and proactively, particularly when business conditions, commodity markets or supply challenges require a change in direction.
• Address issues directly, constructively and with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Champion a “One Team” approach and help remove organizational barriers that limit performance.
• Present business strategies, performance and recommendations effectively to senior executives and other key stakeholders.

About You:

• 15+ years of progressive merchandising, buying or category management experience within grocery, food retail, wholesale or a closely related industry.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up like evolving retail environment.
• Experience across both Produce and Fresh Meat is strongly preferred; candidates with exceptional depth and leadership experience in Produce will also be considered.
• Current or prior experience operating at the Vice President level, or in a comparable role leading a large and complex merchandising business.
• Proven success managing a significant category portfolio with accountability for sales, margin, sourcing, inventory and overall financial performance.
• Strong knowledge of Fresh commodity markets, sourcing models, supplier economics, quality considerations and inventory dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to remain close to buying and market activity while setting and executing a long-term business strategy.
• Experience helping an organization transition from a third-party distribution model to a self-distribution model a plus!
• Experience working within an independently operated, franchise or decentralized retail model preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop strong Buyers, Directors and future merchandising leaders.
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including the ability to interpret complex business data and translate insights into action.
• Exceptional negotiation, supplier management and external relationship-building skills.
• Strong internal relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Experience owning or operating a business is preferred.
• Demonstrated humility, integrity, sound judgment and willingness to engage directly in the work.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, including the ability to present clear, data-supported recommendations to senior leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Agriculture, Supply Chain or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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