Job Information
River Valley Co-op Category Assistant Manager in Northampton, Massachusetts
Responsibilities VENDOR RELATIONS Nurture and maintain vendor relationships as mutually supportive partnerships. Be the conduit for information flow between our vendors and our Point of Sale system. CATEGORY MANAGEMENT DATA SUPPORT Provide the Category Manager with reports to ensure effective variable margin and pricing strategies to meet profitability goals. Work with the Category Manager to develop a category plan and strategies to improve product sales. Research and execute broker-specific promotional opportunities on products we currently stock per the established promotional schedule. Develop category documents and records for new systems, procedures, and training. Assist with comp shops, including creating and maintaining systems to analyze collected data. Assist with a category review calendar to ensure an effective product mix, including a competitive position and budgeted profitability. Ensure the Point of Sale system price file maintenance and reporting functions meet organizational needs for accuracy and monitoring financial performance. POINT OF SALE SYSTEM & SCAN COORDINATOR Support and train the Scan Coordinators in all locations. Drill into details of current and future Point of Sale systems to be the program(s) expert on all back-end and data functionality. Liaise with the Point of Sale Company, in partnership with IT Manager and Category Manager, to facilitate program implementation and updates. Be the Point of Sale back-end program expert for the Category Management Team. Support centralized the Point of Sale updates relating to promotions, new vendors/products, and pricing updates. COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP Work well in a collaborative atmosphere with all product coordinators and all levels of management. Compile or contribute to reports as requested by the General Manager, Director of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Marketing, or Director of Human Resources. Represent the Co-op soundly in all local industry and co-op endeavors. Assist the Category Manager in overall planning and development for River Valley Co-op and work with management to develop the Category Management Department to serve multiple locations in meeting customer service, brand, mission, and economic goals related to sales and margin. EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT Model behaviors that support the values of River Valley Co-op, through supportive and participative leadership, promoting cooperative team building and motivating staff, including but not limited to: Uphold clear expectations for the team as a means to hold each other accountable to ensure expectations are met, and offer support to meet expectations. Assist with regular performance evaluations and the creation of training and development opportunities that enhance the employee?s abilities and build upon their skills and knowledge. Assist with facilitating regular team and/or department meetings. SAFETY & SECURITY High confidentiality regarding pricing strategy, cost data, and vendor managemen ESSENTIAL Minimum of 1 years? experience in product or category management. 1+ years of supervisory level experience. Working experience with data analysis tools such as MS Excel including advanced formulas and functions. Working experience with the back-end of a Point of Sale system. Knowledge and/or experience in the natural foods industry and/or cooperative businesses. Demonstrated understanding of data analysis. Ability to understand and create reports from sales data, showing financial and mathematical analysis that will enhance business decisions. Demonstrated superior oral and written communication ability and ability to work with diverse populations. Ex