What are the responsibilities and job description for the Retail Merchandiser position at Saffron Café & Bakery?
POSITION SUMMARY
Saffron Café & Bakery is seeking a motivated and organized Retail Merchandiser to manage and oversee our wholesale and retail accounts, including Harris Teeter, US Foods, and other partner distributors. This is a highly independent, field-based role requiring strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for representing a premium local brand. The ideal candidate excels at building relationships across both retail and wholesale channels, managing logistics, and driving sales growth at the store and distributor level.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Account & Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for managers across all retail and wholesale partner accounts.
- Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with store buyers, department managers, and distributor contacts.
- Communicate Saffron's product offerings, promotions, and new items clearly and effectively.
- Resolve any account-level issues promptly and professionally.
Route Management
- Plan and execute an efficient weekly route covering all retail and wholesale partner accounts.
- Ensure all account visits are completed on schedule and properly documented.
- Adjust route priorities based on inventory levels, promotions, and seasonal demand.
- Track mileage and submit accurate route and activity reports to management.
Order Management
- Monitor product inventory levels across all partner accounts and proactively submit replenishment orders.
- Manage and grow wholesale purchase orders with distributor partners (US Foods and others).
- Coordinate order timing and volumes with distributor representatives to align with Saffron's production capacity.
- Ensure accurate order quantities to minimize out-of-stocks and reduce product waste.
- Coordinate with Saffron's production and delivery teams to align orders with availability.
- Verify delivery accuracy and resolve any discrepancies as needed.
Distributor Account Development
- Identify opportunities to expand Saffron's product presence within existing distributor networks.
- Attend distributor sales meetings or food shows to represent the Saffron brand.
- Track distributor sell-through data and adjust order quantities and product mix accordingly.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with distributor sales representatives and category managers.
Merchandising & Shelf Management
- Maintain clean, organized, and fully stocked product displays across all partner accounts.
- Ensure proper product rotation (FIFO — First In, First Out) to maintain freshness.
- Execute merchandising standards and planograms in accordance with each account's requirements.
- Remove expired or damaged products and arrange for credit or replacement.
Sales Monitoring & Reporting
- Track weekly sales data across all partner accounts and identify trends, opportunities, and underperforming SKUs.
- Provide regular reports to management on sales performance, inventory levels, and account feedback.
- Make data-driven recommendations to improve product placement, pricing, and assortment.
- Monitor competitor activity and report relevant market insights.
Marketing & Promotions
- Place point-of-sale materials, signage, and promotional displays across all partner accounts.
- Communicate upcoming promotions to account managers and ensure proper in-store execution.
- Support sampling events and in-store activations as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent; associate's or bachelor's degree a plus
- Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided)
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand/walk for extended periods
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Basic proficiency with smartphone apps, email, and spreadsheets
Preferred
- 3–5 years of experience in retail merchandising, DSD, or wholesale food distribution
- Familiarity with grocery store operations or bakery/food products
- Experience working with broadline distributors (US Foods, Sysco, or similar)
- Familiarity with distributor ordering portals and systems
- Experience with route planning tools or delivery management apps