Director of Produce and Distribution

Lunds & Byerlys•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Lunds & Byerlys as a Full Time Director of Produce and Distribution and take the next exciting step in your career! The competitive salary range of $140,000-$200,000 per year with an at-target performance bonus of 20% reflects our desire to attract top talent who exemplify our core values of integrity, teamwork, and innovation. Our Commitment to You Lunds & Byerlys is committed to taking care of the employees who take care of our customers. We are committed to creating work environments centered around the values of hospitality, teamwork, and opportunity. Lunds & Byerlys is committed to providing equal opportunities to all interested and qualified candidates. Our culture is based in teamwork, innovation, and respect. These words are not just tossed around. They are at the core of who we are as a Star Tribune Top Workplace 2019-2025. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members. Our benefits include competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with various health spending and savings accounts. We provide supplemental free on-demand healthcare and generous paid time off. Additionally, team members can take advantage of 401(k) matching and other value-added benefits focused on overall health and wellness. JOB SUMMARY The Director of Produce and Distribution provides strategic leadership for Lunds & Byerlys' produce category and distribution center (DC) operations. This role is responsible for developing and executing buying, merchandising, pricing, and promotional strategies that drive sales, maximize profitability, and reinforce brand standards. The Director leads produce buying and DC teams, oversees daily supply chain operations including inventory management, quality control, and 3PL partner relations and builds strong grower and supplier partnerships to ensure consistent product quality and availability. A key member of the merchandising leadership team, this role monitors market trends and financial performance to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency, while developing talent and fostering cross-functional communication across retail, wholesale, and vendor partners. All responsibilities are carried out in alignment with Lunds & Byerlys' commitment to customer service excellence and fresh food standards. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The following description of work to be performed by this individual is not intended to be all-inclusive. Rather, it focuses on the major tasks that must be accomplished. There are many necessary activities to satisfy any of the following performance guidelines. Customer Experience Model and reinforce Lunds & Byerlys customer service standards in all interactions, ensuring produce quality, freshness, and merchandising standards are consistently met across all retail locations Monitor customer feedback, sales trends, and shopping behaviors to identify opportunities to enhance the customer experience and improve produce assortment, quality, and presentation. Category Strategy, Buying, & Vendor Partnerships Establish and execute the strategic direction for the produce category and distribution center, incorporating consumer trends, competitive intelligence, pricing, and merchandising to support company goals and brand objectives. Lead produce buying teams in sourcing high-quality product, negotiating purchase contracts and promotional programs to secure favorable costs and terms, and developing pricing and promotion strategies, including seasonal, event, lifestyle, and item-driven programs - that drive sales and profitability. Build and maintain strong partnerships with growers, shippers, and supply partners to ensure reliable supply, favorable market opportunities, and effective utilization of supplier programs. Develop private label and signature item strategies that reinforce brand identity. Develop communication models that ensure retail, wholesale, vendor, and internal partners have the information, tools, and appropriate involvement in decisions, programs, and strategies that affect them. Distribution Center & Operational Performance Oversee daily DC operations including inventory management, order fulfillment, quality control, and food safety compliance. Maintain a collaborative relationship with the 3PL partner to ensure efficient transportation, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery to all retail locations. commodity pricing, market trends, weather impacts, and seasonal conditions to inform purchasing decisions. Analyze sales, inventory, and shrink data to maximize gross margin, minimize shrink, and improve overall supply chain efficiency. Review and interpret financial reports to identify cost savings and profitability opportunities. Establish and track operational metrics including inventory turns, fill rates, shrink reduction, and customer satisfaction. Lead, coach, and develop team members across buying, retail and DC teams. Manage performance, assign responsibilities, identify succession needs, and build bench strength aligned with company growth objectives. OTHER JOB DUTIES (Not considered essential to the job) Perform all other related assignments (including special projects) as required in a professional and cooperative manner.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business or related field, or the equivalent knowledge gained from experience within the functional area
Ten or more years of related management experience including responsibility for sales and profitability, budgeting, buying and merchandising
Proven record of success in developing product strategies, category management, pricing, promotions and merchandising
Service-oriented individual with a high energy, positive and friendly demeanor
Excellent customer service, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills
Strong communication skills, human relations and project management skills
Innovative, resourceful and analytical thinking abilities
Ability to respond to continually changing priorities and coordinate multiple projects
Strong computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Word)
Ability to delegate and follow through
Ability to provide motivation and leadership
Strong organizational abilities
Project management, sound judgment and decision-making abilities

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for Lunds & Byerlys' produce category and distribution center (DC) operations.
Develops and executes buying, merchandising, pricing, and promotional strategies.
Leads produce buying and DC teams.
Oversees daily supply chain operations including inventory management, quality control, and 3PL partner relations.
Builds strong grower and supplier partnerships.
Monitors market trends and financial performance.
Develops talent and fosters cross-functional communication.
Ensures produce quality, freshness, and merchandising standards are consistently met.
Monitors customer feedback, sales trends, and shopping behaviors to enhance customer experience.
Establishes and executes the strategic direction for the produce category and distribution center.
Leads produce buying teams in sourcing high-quality product, negotiating contracts, and developing pricing and promotion strategies.
Builds and maintains strong partnerships with growers, shippers, and supply partners.
Develops private label and signature item strategies.
Develops communication models for partners.
Oversees daily DC operations including inventory management, order fulfillment, quality control, and food safety compliance.
Maintains a collaborative relationship with the 3PL partner.
Informs purchasing decisions based on commodity pricing, market trends, weather impacts, and seasonal conditions.
Analyzes sales, inventory, and shrink data.
Reviews and interprets financial reports.
Establishes and tracks operational metrics.
Leads, coaches, and develops team members.
Manages performance, assigns responsibilities, identifies succession needs, and builds bench strength.
Performs all other related assignments as required.