Director Deli and Food Service

Lunds & Byerlys • Edina, MN

8d • $116,000 - $168,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director Deli and Food Service sets the strategic direction for Lunds & Byerlys’ deli and food service operations and is accountable for sales and profitability. The director leads procurement, merchandising, pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations, and partners with manufacturing and research and development teams to develop private-label and signature items. The role builds and develops a strong team and aligns internal and external stakeholders on department strategy.

This is a full-time, onsite position working five days per week at the company’s corporate office in downtown Edina. The starting compensation range is $116,000–$168,000 per year, with eligibility for a short-term incentive plan of up to 20% of base salary based on role-specific and company metrics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, or equivalent knowledge gained through experience in the functional area.
• Ten or more years of related leadership experience, including responsibility for sales and profitability, budgeting, procurement, and merchandising, with a proven record of success in product strategies, category management, pricing, promotions, and merchandising.
• Valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Service-oriented, high-energy individual with a positive and friendly demeanor.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, human-relations, and project-management skills.
• Innovative, resourceful, and analytical thinking abilities.
• Ability to respond to changing priorities and coordinate multiple projects.
• Strong computer skills, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to delegate and follow through.
• Ability to provide motivation and leadership.
• Strong organizational abilities, sound judgment, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.
• Expected competencies include being action oriented, communicating effectively, focusing on customers, and instilling trust.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in establishing the strategic vision and direction for the deli and food service departments, incorporating consumer food trends, competitive developments, merchandising, and product offerings.
• Lead and inspire innovative products and programs that maximize trend-forward offerings in support of brand strategies.
• Identify emerging consumer needs and culinary trends, partner with retail operations, internal manufacturing facilities, and R&D to develop and pilot new menu offerings, service concepts, and preparation methods, and scale successful initiatives to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
• Develop private-label and signature-item strategies that support brand identity and maximize sales and profitability.
• Provide leadership for sales, profitability, and payroll in support of company financial goals.
• Train, develop, and coach staff; assign responsibility; and manage performance to accomplish department objectives.
• Identify and develop employee-development opportunities to grow the company’s bench strength.
• Develop and execute seasonal, event, lifestyle, and item-driven promotional programs that support sales, profitability, and brand-management objectives.
• Develop and execute procurement, merchandising, pricing, and promotion strategies that support brand-management objectives.
• Negotiate purchase contracts, buying agreements, and promotional programs to secure low costs and favorable terms while meeting product quality, variety, and selection objectives.
• Review financial performance reports and analyze data to identify cost-saving opportunities through efficient resource planning, including labor.
• Source and develop supplier relationships that support business strategies, use supplier programs and services effectively, and contribute to sales, profitability, and brand-management objectives.
• Participate in developing sales objectives for assigned product areas and establish programs and services to maximize their achievement.
• Develop communication models to ensure retail, wholesale supplier, vendor, and other stakeholders have the necessary information, tools, and resources.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health spending and savings accounts
• Supplemental free on-demand healthcare
• Generous paid time off
• 401(k) matching
• Other value-added benefits focused on health and wellness
• Short-term incentive compensation plan of up to 20% of base salary, based on achieved role-specific and company metrics

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director