Description
Joining our team has its advantages:
- Flexible schedule to promote work/life balance
- Hybrid work schedule
- Group insurance from the first day
- Very competitive pension plan
- Generous vacation policy
- Personal days
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free parking
- Opportunity for professional development
- Charging stations for electric cars
SUMMARY:
The Director of Deli HMR (Home Meal Replacement and Starbucks) is a pivotal leadership role within the Ontario Conventional Division and contributes to the development and execution of the annual strategy and business plan. This role is responsible for motivating, mentoring, and fostering the growth of their team - while offering guidance in planning, forming vendor partnerships, product selection, space distribution, pricing, and promotional activities in line with the overall merchandising department goals and all functions that influence financial targets within the scope of Deli and HMR for our Metro banner stores. The incumbent will also be part of the leadership team, spearheading strategic initiatives across the entire fresh department, while collaborating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITES:
- Formulate & execute department strategic direction including product assortment, pricing, promo, marketing, sales, and procurement plans to meet category targets and overall business goals.
- Develop, monitor, and manage annual category budgets, ensuring department sales, revenue, shrink and profitability. Work with Finance to ensure accurate reporting of financial results on all lines.
- Champion customer needs in strategy execution, collaborate and encourage generating and implementing innovative ideas on unique product creation, manage private label / brand performance, and drive promotional activities to enhance market position and category performance.
- Oversee the maintenance and continuous improvement of recipe standards and food processing procedures at the store level.
- Collaborate on strategic plans and product development, ensuring initiative rollouts and store compliance with merchandising strategies.
- Recommend fixtures for projects, participate in store setups, and guide new concept stores.
- Visit vendor sites to foster collaboration, develop products, and potentially travel within and outside the province.
- Lead a team providing guidance, coaching, and performance management.
- Maintain vendor relationships and cultivate strong partnerships for business growth.
- Assume decision-making responsibility, driving outcomes and instilling a shared vision within the team.
- Ensure compliance with government regulations & optimize overall quality control.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- University Degree, preferably in Business.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in leveraging promotional or merchandising roles to drive business growth.
- Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Power Point and Word).
- Outstanding business acumen with strong knowledge of grocery retail industry.
- Proven experience in managing P&L statements with strong financial acumen to ensure profitability.
- Understanding of commodity buying and markets.
- Experience in Fresh Foods/HMR product development and program commercialization.
- Proven expert in data-driven market analysis, problem-solving, and customer-focused decision-making for business opportunities.
- Strategic planning skills to develop and implement short and long-term plans aligned with corporate objectives.
- Exceptional communication skills to interact effectively at all organizational levels and act as a change leader.
- The ability to coach and mentor team members, focusing on performance management, professional development, and fostering an environment that encourages engagement and cross-collaboration for optimal results.
- Ability to present new ideas and results (good and bad) to Executive level individuals.
- Experience in Merchandising with Deli and Home Meal Replacement preferred.
RELATIONSHIPS:
- Collaboration with Operations including Director of Retail Execution along with Field Specialists and various levels of Store Operations is paramount.
- Internal office colleagues include Finance, Accounting, Replenishment, Central Procurement, Private Label, Marketing, Customer Intelligence, Quebec and Ontario counterparts etc.
- External vendors and vendor partners
#LI-Hybrid
