Produce Manager | Fresh Sales

Associated Wholesale Grocers•Hernando, MS

16d

About The Position

The Produce Sales Manager position displays a high degree of professionalism in representing AWG as a representative to our membership in Produce merchandising and sales. This position plays a major role in educating the retailer on AWG programs that drive same store sales to attain maximum profitability. Manager is responsible for directing, supporting, and coordinating all activities and functions involving the sales and marketing of produce products at the divisional level. This includes, but is not limited to, providing all retailer-driven requirements in the selling process, all staffing functions, and the continual pursuit of all activities that are consistent with the philosophies and objectives of AWG. This position supports AWG’s mission to remain firmly committed to our long-established mission statement: “Our mission is to ensure the success of our member retailers and provide opportunities to our employees. This will be accomplished by satisfying the customers’, and our member retailers, needs for quality supermarket merchandise and superior support services. We will do this with high quality employees whose mission is to provide the lowest possible cost of good in order to ensure our members profitability, competitiveness and continued growth.” Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the VP of Merchandising or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation will be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense. The accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions providing a hardship is not required of the company or membership. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud during remodeling, promotional activities and open house. This position works in or around freezer, coolers and refrigerated areas. This position's basic purpose is to use all available resources to assist the Merchandising Department in continuous growth and financial success of the Membership and Company.

Requirements

Retail grocery store experience preferred.
Degree not required, but equivalent work experience in retail preferred; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience must be in a management roll in the field of Produce.
A current valid drivers license is required with a good driving record history.
Ability to read and speak fluent English and comprehend operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
Possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to make presentations effectively before small and large groups.
Possess the ability to read and interpret departmental financial and operating statements.
Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Posses the ability to reason with members and gain mutual respect with a common goal of increasing sales and profitability.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Build a relationship of trust and loyalty between members and Produce department.
Coordinate all sales and staffing activities including but not limited to, period sales events, food shows, new item distribution, and any other type of sales event.
Select and train department staff members to establish objectives and developmental plans for each.
Manage, direct and review staff members by providing a quarterly update of the staff members progress in relation to their established goals and objectives.
Supervise, monitor and control the division expenses to maintain a profitable and professional atmosphere.
Direct the division staff to achieve and maintain the established goals and objectives of the Division, Territory, Sales Representatives, and specific retailer store as it relates to Produce.
Work closely with all departments at AWG, especially Member Services, Procurement, Warehousing, Advertising, Pricing, and Shelf Management on all areas pertaining to the sales of Produce.
Achieve desired goals for sales, expenses, advertising, pricing, shelf placement, signage, and temporary price reductions on all produce products and promotions.
Establish regular calls with all Key division retailers as provided to present merchandising programs and share product information relevant to the retailers business and success.
Communicate the divisional, members, and staff's needs to the Director of Procurement and Member Services or appropriate support staff on a continuous basis.
Direct and plan all divisional new store openings, members employee samplings, special events, divisional food shows, demos, and other functions and/or events as needed as it pertains to Produce.