Produce Specialist – SK, MB, ON

at  The North West Company

In your role as Produce Specialist for the Inland Division (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario), you will lead different aspect of the Produce Operations area; directing accountabilities include achieving annual sales, gross profit and operating budgets specific to produce. Development and implementation of market specific programs and innovation as required. Execute required disciplines and standards. Provide support for marketing programs, staff development and customer service.
Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.
NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

• Execute plans for store assortments, pricing and marketing programs, staffing, and all required operating standards to achieve sales, gross profit and operating margin budgeted dollars for Produce.
• Analyze operating results and KPI performance for major markets produce department to develop and execute action plans for stores that are underperforming and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Responsible for identifying and executing market-specific assortment needs and profit-enhancing opportunities for the produce department, working close with the category Manger.
• Identify and implement “Best Practice” operational strategies for the produce department across major markets. Assess the consistent implementation of performance standards and offer support to stores in executing these standards and plans effectively.
• Maintain detailed competitor and market knowledge through market tours and market specific department managers.
• Review competitive price shop surveys and make recommendations on retail prices as required.
• Provides training and direction at store level for ordering and inventory control, shrink control, stock control, and any other related activities specific to major market produce departments.
• Provide feedback to Training & Development to ensure Produce DM trainees are executing per major markets standards prior to graduating from the DMIT program.
• Assists with annual inventories and monthly business segment inventories.
• Travel to markets +/- 120 days per year to assess performance, train and coach staff, and perform audit.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in produce department management or related roles.
• Continuous improvement, change management, Lean management or Six Sigma training and or work related experience is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in Microsoft Office, specifically in Excel is required.
• Market awareness and a strong retail perspective
• Knowledge of market research methodologies and data analytics tools.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities are required, with the capacity to function both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Must be detail conscious while demonstrating a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent organizational, planning and the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Flexibility to travel on short notice and periods up to 10 consecutive days.
• Passion for continues improvement.

Location: Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB
Reports to: General Manager NCR Operations
We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:
Being Enterprising • Committing to our Customer • Working with Passion • Leading and Developing Others • Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity • Building Trust
The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

• Execute plans for store assortments, pricing and marketing programs, staffing, and all required operating standards to achieve sales, gross profit and operating margin budgeted dollars for Produce.
• Analyze operating results and KPI performance for major markets produce department to develop and execute action plans for stores that are underperforming and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Responsible for identifying and executing market-specific assortment needs and profit-enhancing opportunities for the produce department, working close with the category Manger.
• Identify and implement “Best Practice” operational strategies for the produce department across major markets. Assess the consistent implementation of performance standards and offer support to stores in executing these standards and plans effectively.
• Maintain detailed competitor and market knowledge through market tours and market specific department managers.
• Review competitive price shop surveys and make recommendations on retail prices as required.
• Provides training and direction at store level for ordering and inventory control, shrink control, stock control, and any other related activities specific to major market produce departments.
• Provide feedback to Training & Development to ensure Produce DM trainees are executing per major markets standards prior to graduating from the DMIT program.
• Assists with annual inventories and monthly business segment inventories.
• Travel to markets +/- 120 days per year to assess performance, train and coach staff, and perform audit