What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchandising Representative position at Associated Wholesale Grocers?
AWG Center Store Sales Execution Representative – Iowa City/ Davenport
Work Model: Hybrid
Department: Sales
Make us your BEST Choice!
The primary responsibility of this role is to increase Center Store sales through effective shelf management and selling tools in our AWG members stores. All activities will be directed towards achieving the goals and objectives of the member stores within the assigned territory for the Center Store portfolio to include Grocery, Health, Beauty, Wellness, General Merchandise, Specialty Foods (HGS) and AWG Brands. This position is in Iowa City/Davenport area. The candidate must remain within 30 miles of the location they are assigned.
Description of Work
Essential Functions:
Selling members on new items, conversions, filling voids with proper shelf placement of all items within AWG Center Store portfolio, emphasizing AWG Brands and HGS items.
Execute category shelf work via planogram.
Assist with new store tagging and resets as necessary
Execute assigned monthly focus objective work from Center store team. Includes all of Center store portfolio of new items, conversions, distribution voids, selling in promotional opportunities, pallets, shippers, etc.
Work with brokers and vendors to accomplish assigned store resets, new stores, remodels, new equipment and shelving projects.
Recommend category layouts and shelf allocations, focusing on AWG Brands and HGS. Provide insights and key recommendations to enhance the placement of AWG Brands and HGS items and other key center store items within planograms as customers make assortment and planogram decisions.
Suggest products, product lines, and promotional activities, and analyze slow-moving items to encourage orders.
Responsible for sales number within the assigned territory.
Assist in member training of all AWG center store retail programs, emphasizing AWG Brands and HGS.
Provide additional merchandising ideas and support opportunities (i.e.; end cap programs, supplemental ads, digital coupons, demo programs) within the Center Store portfolio.
Complete in a timely fashion the required reporting for the territory as required by the Center Store Sales Manager.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree Preferred/High School Graduate
5 years in the Grocery Industry
Marketing/Sales Background
Team focused
Strong customer service skills
Strong merchandising skills
Ability to use screwdriver, hammer, power drill, saw etc.
Valid driver’s license- daily travel and overnights required
Able to lift 40 lbs. or more- Bending, standing, and sitting for long periods of time
Knowledge:
Exceptional understanding of the retail grocery industry
Sales experience calling on Key Accounts
Managing People
Abilities:
Exceptional communication skills-communicate with all levels of retail management
Attention to detail and time management skills.
Fact based decisions skills on item placement with supported sales data
Self-motivated, able to accomplish established goals with minimal supervision
Effective relationship building skills to create and grow professional relationships with
AWG Divisional Leadership and Key Equity Groups.
Highly adaptable and able to manage various tasks while meeting multiple deadlines.
Proficient with Power Point, Excel and Word
Working Environment:
60-80% Travel, some overnight
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2025 were $12.2 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com .
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
Tuition Reimbursement
Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
Employee Assistance Program
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Wellness Program
Yearly Holiday Bonus
Benefits:
Health Insurance, 401K Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off