The H-E-B Connections Team delivers selling events and campaigns that drive sales, support merchant initiatives, compel customer engagement, and advocate hospitality. H-E-B Connections Partners develop selling events that equal or surpass competing retailers.
As a Cooking Connection Business Manager II, you'll support an elevated culinary experience and H-E-B's reputation through product development and lifecycle management, strategic promotion planning and execution leadership, event and inventory planning, communication, detailed event analysis and recommendations, and the digital experience for Cooking Connection activities.
Once you're eligible, you'll become an Owner in the company, so we're looking for commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and Customer service. 'Partner-owned' means our most important resources-People-drive the innovation, growth, and success that make H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company.
Do you have a:
HEART FOR PEOPLE... strong team leadership skills?
HEAD FOR BUSINESS... working knowledge of procurement practices and H-E-B / H-E-B Store systems?
PASSION FOR RESULTS... drive to recommend improvements to business / work processes?
We are looking for:

• experience in business, merchandising, or Store Operations leadership; experience related to food and cooking or culinary arts

What is the work?
Leadership / Strategy:

• Manages buying, merchandising and category strategy and execution for the Cooking Connection program in alignment with Director of Merchandising and the business unit
• Builds programs to drive profitable sales and trial, maximize promotional ROI, and manage expenses to achieve contribution goals
• Serves as the expert culinary advisor for the Connections admin, and Region and Merchant teams
• Serves as the key Cooking Connection point of contact for digital teams and solutions
• Leads partnership with Legal, Quality Assurance, and Risk to ensure all events are planned in compliance with established policies and guidelines
• Manages product proposals, product development, and cost negotiation activities with vendors
• Leads pilot and project work
• Informs / collaborates on product and brand education, including training materials, video development, and category and product education
• Leads goal setting and commitments with Region Selling Manager team to support event store order quantities
• Influences region implementation of merchandising for planned promotional space allocated to the department
• Represents the department as a stakeholder in Cooking Connection branded digital engagements

- Develops / aligns culinary strategy for Cooking Connections; sets the stage for H-E-B's culinary reputation with the Director of Merchandising

• Leads merchandising strategy for the Cooking Connection planned promo and POG space allocations, including refresh activities, assortment, placement, distribution, and financial goals
• Serves as a key decision maker in recipe digital merchandising and assortment strategy and execution
• Collaborates with / provides input to BDMs and Buyers on category strategy development
• Influences / aligns with Merchant BDMs and Directors on assortment and pricing strategy and execution
• Strategically influences Culinary Chefs on products / recipes to enhance selling activities in the Cooking Connection kitchen, and digital programs and assets
• Collaborates with Sales & Marketing, Own Brand, Merchants, Connections Account Managers, Shelf Edge, Supply Chain, Product Information, Global Sourcing, etc.
• Performs Cooking Connection Business Manager I duties

Analytics:

• Leads detailed analytics and insights related to sales, department contribution, customer trial, repeat and loyalty; creates reports to support long-term value proposition of the department
• Gains insights from customers, industry, leaders, and store teams; evaluates for subsequent design and implementation of improvement strategies related to the culinary experience
• Reviews business and work processes for efficiencies, capacities, work flow, or time / system improvement opportunities; develops action plan for / leads change
• Recognizes patterns of issues; addresses root cause; proactively seeks resolution

What is your background?

• A related degree or comparable formal training, certification, or work experience

- A degree in culinary arts or H-E-B Culinary certification

• 6 years of experience in business, merchandising, or Store Operations leadership
• 6 years of experience related to food and cooking or culinary arts
• Experience in project management
• Experience in systems, process, analysis, and product flow
• Experience in advanced culinary techniques

Do you have what it takes to be a fit as an H-E-B Cooking Connection Business Manager?
- Comprehensive working knowledge of H-E-B systems (EOM, BI, Coupon Management [CMS])
- Comprehensive working knowledge of procurement practices and store operations (H-E-B processes preferred)
- Working knowledge of H-E-B Store systems (Workforce Manager, Symbol applications, Media Master preferred)

• Knowledge of advanced culinary techniques
• Solid understanding of digital capabilities and culinary apps
• Advanced communication and presentation skills
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Advanced interpersonal, negotiating, and influencing skills
• Strong team leadership skills
• Strong organization and project management skills
• PC skills, including MS Office and software / programs required by the job
• Ability to collaborate with internal / external contacts
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to navigate through the organization
• Ability to prioritize / manage multiple deadlines
• Customer service-oriented
• Omni-channel savvy

Can you...

• Function in a fast-paced, retail, office environment
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays
• Work extended hours; sit for extended periods

11-2021

PROC3232