Merchandising Supervisor Position Summary:

The primary responsibility for this position is to create and sustain an operating environment where Affinity and trading partner merchandising objectives are achieved with reliability and confidence. This position requires daily travel to store/venue locations to merchandise our brands/products and provide support to the store perimeter departments (Meat, Deli, Seafood, Dairy, and Prepared Foods). This position plays a key role in building and maintaining effective product in-stock conditions, product rotation that minimizes shrink and spoilage, placement of point-of-sales materials that drive opportunistic sales, clear and timely reporting/documentation of merchandising activities and achievements, and reliable execution of clients in-store merchandising objectives. This is accomplished by strategically deploying a team of motivated, competent, and well-informed associates and properly communicating with Affinity Business and Account Mangers.

Essential Functions:

• Represent Affinity Group in an ethical and professional manner.
• Daily travel to retail locations

• Effectively merchandise our brands products through:
  • Plan-O-Gram enforcement
  • Shelf space management
  • Promotional, pricing, and new item placement compliance
  • Store visit recaps and follow-ups
• Develop, support, train, and implement merchandising directives as directed.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with the Fresh Foods department staff and store managers.
• Provide on-going feedback of store level performance
• Handle store complaints/challenges as they arise
• Monitor and report competitor activity at store level
• Manage the effective integration and utilization of Affinity technology systems and platforms

• Effectively communicate with Affinity Leadership team, and business and account management groups to determine proper planning and strategy to accomplish retail objectives
• Accelerate accomplishments by effectively motivating Affinity retail sales team
• Clearly and succinctly articulate retail initiatives to staff
• Develop and oversee key company initiatives such as speed-to-shelf process to ensure placement and tracking of new items
• Inform and educate the retail sales team regarding pertinent information about client and retailer initiatives
• Analyze sales information such as IRI data to provide thoughtful insight to the retail group identifying where retail performance gains can be activated
• Prepare retail strategy and participate in new client interviews, to provide a strong sense of retail involvement, commitment, and enthusiasm
• Direct, manage and review performance by individual
• Other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• BA/BS degree preferred or previous Retail Merchandising Management experience
• Flexible and able to manage adversity
• Strong communication and influence skills
• Problem solving skills
• Basic technology skills communicating through mobile devices – email, photos, text messaging
• Microsoft office suite experience
• Effective personnel evaluator, mentor, coach and manager
• Results oriented with keen ability to understand what is needed to accomplish desired company initiatives
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit and committed to being the best

The Affinity Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.