Produce Director
Apply NowCompany: Retail Options
Location: Chicago, IL 60629
Description:
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Reports to General Manager
Responsible for developing and carrying out the vision, strategy, and standards for Produce and Floral
Ensures that the Produce and Floral Divisions are aligned with overall company brand expression
Responsible for leading, managing and communicating with the Produce Specialist, Floral Category Manager and
their respective teams
Oversees Produce and Floral category resets and develops Produce and Floral concepts, layout, flow, designs and
programs for remodels and new markets
Accountable for financial projections, budgeting, and division performance
Creates sourcing strategy and determines primary vendor and secondary suppliers with clear intentions around
partnership, creating value and innovation, and ensuring accurate costing and retail pricing for the Produce and Floral Divisions
Oversees the development of all Produce and Floral advertising and promotional activities in partnership with Marketing and the selection for Big Board and Market Buys to increase sales and profitability
Accountable for retail and promotional pricing for both Produce and Floral
Oversees the Merchandising Portal to guide merchandising, pricing and signage for respective departments
Performs regular category and set reviews with Produce Specialist and Floral Category Manager to develop SKU rationalization practices and performance metrics to determine best product mix
Responsible for new and promotional item selection and category management in alignment with forecast and financial contributions within respective departments; works in conjunction with other Product Directors to
ensure product alignment and proper launch of new items
Develops business plans that support company initiatives and enhance quality and service, associated costs,
employee development, retention strategies and employee productivity benchmarks.
Evaluates department operations and performance continuously to identify strategies to increase revenue,
profitability, and guest satisfaction
Develops new and innovative programs and works with Culinary Steering Committee to ensure brand alignment
Works with Community Programming to ensure product is sampled regularly and consistently
Identifies guest and social trends, attends trade shows, and implements new technologies and products to keep abreast of food and industry trends on behalf of remaining relevant
Develops and maintains strong working relationships with Market Directors, Specialists, Market Managers, employees and vendors
Collaborates with Produce Specialist and Floral Category Manager in support of regular cross store meetings and conference calls with the market level leadership
Partners with markets on the selection, training and development of Produce and Floral leadership
Partners with other Product Directors to tour our markets, competition and industry producers on behalf of innovation, inspiration and simplicity
Partners with Specialist and Category Manager to tour our markets and competition on a regular basis for the purpose of mentoring and development
Works with the Director of Food Safety and Loss Protection to ensure the dissemination & adherence of proper food handling and safety procedures and policies
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally,
either verbally or in writing.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Proven experience in creating, developing and implementing Produce and Floral programs
Sound knowledge and enthusiasm for Produce and Floral products
Proven experience in managing and operating major Produce and Floral departments
Experience in and passion for sourcing and innovation in Produce and Floral divisions
Commitment to personal and professional development as well as staff development at all levels
Proven experience in new program creation, development, and training
Emphasis on selling and merchandising creatively
Willingness to take calculated risks to maximize sales
Proven experience in Produce/Floral layout design
Ability to operate from the principles of collaboration, consensus building, and a culture of discipline
Ability to prepare corporate reports, budgets, forecasts, P&Ls, etc.
Must possess an attitude of service to others
Excellent facilitation skills for planning and conducting effective staff meetings
Must possess strong communication skills including listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Must possess intermediate or higher computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to work independently, as well as with a diverse group of guests, employees, vendors, and leadership
Demonstrates self-discipline and accountability
Must possess a strong desire to work hard, be enthusiastic, participate in achieving management goals, and lead
by example
Visionary leader and team player with good follow-through and people skills
Flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
Reports to General Manager
Responsible for developing and carrying out the vision, strategy, and standards for Produce and Floral
Ensures that the Produce and Floral Divisions are aligned with overall company brand expression
Responsible for leading, managing and communicating with the Produce Specialist, Floral Category Manager and
their respective teams
Oversees Produce and Floral category resets and develops Produce and Floral concepts, layout, flow, designs and
programs for remodels and new markets
Accountable for financial projections, budgeting, and division performance
Creates sourcing strategy and determines primary vendor and secondary suppliers with clear intentions around
partnership, creating value and innovation, and ensuring accurate costing and retail pricing for the Produce and Floral Divisions
Oversees the development of all Produce and Floral advertising and promotional activities in partnership with Marketing and the selection for Big Board and Market Buys to increase sales and profitability
Accountable for retail and promotional pricing for both Produce and Floral
Oversees the Merchandising Portal to guide merchandising, pricing and signage for respective departments
Performs regular category and set reviews with Produce Specialist and Floral Category Manager to develop SKU rationalization practices and performance metrics to determine best product mix
Responsible for new and promotional item selection and category management in alignment with forecast and financial contributions within respective departments; works in conjunction with other Product Directors to
ensure product alignment and proper launch of new items
Develops business plans that support company initiatives and enhance quality and service, associated costs,
employee development, retention strategies and employee productivity benchmarks.
Evaluates department operations and performance continuously to identify strategies to increase revenue,
profitability, and guest satisfaction
Develops new and innovative programs and works with Culinary Steering Committee to ensure brand alignment
Works with Community Programming to ensure product is sampled regularly and consistently
Identifies guest and social trends, attends trade shows, and implements new technologies and products to keep abreast of food and industry trends on behalf of remaining relevant
Develops and maintains strong working relationships with Market Directors, Specialists, Market Managers, employees and vendors
Collaborates with Produce Specialist and Floral Category Manager in support of regular cross store meetings and conference calls with the market level leadership
Partners with markets on the selection, training and development of Produce and Floral leadership
Partners with other Product Directors to tour our markets, competition and industry producers on behalf of innovation, inspiration and simplicity
Partners with Specialist and Category Manager to tour our markets and competition on a regular basis for the purpose of mentoring and development
Works with the Director of Food Safety and Loss Protection to ensure the dissemination & adherence of proper food handling and safety procedures and policies
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally,
either verbally or in writing.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Proven experience in creating, developing and implementing Produce and Floral programs
Sound knowledge and enthusiasm for Produce and Floral products
Proven experience in managing and operating major Produce and Floral departments
Experience in and passion for sourcing and innovation in Produce and Floral divisions
Commitment to personal and professional development as well as staff development at all levels
Proven experience in new program creation, development, and training
Emphasis on selling and merchandising creatively
Willingness to take calculated risks to maximize sales
Proven experience in Produce/Floral layout design
Ability to operate from the principles of collaboration, consensus building, and a culture of discipline
Ability to prepare corporate reports, budgets, forecasts, P&Ls, etc.
Must possess an attitude of service to others
Excellent facilitation skills for planning and conducting effective staff meetings
Must possess strong communication skills including listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Must possess intermediate or higher computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to work independently, as well as with a diverse group of guests, employees, vendors, and leadership
Demonstrates self-discipline and accountability
Must possess a strong desire to work hard, be enthusiastic, participate in achieving management goals, and lead
by example
Visionary leader and team player with good follow-through and people skills
Flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed