Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing

at  Kesslers Inc

Description:
About Us: At Kessler’s our Mission is to be South Dakota’s most trusted retailer, building up the communities we serve and delivering unmatched service, quality, and freshness. We are a mission centered company driven by values, and our belief that delivering on our ‘customer commitment’ is not only good business but a life of purpose, challenge, and reward. Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, we pride ourselves in being a hometown grocer for all our customers, by meeting our customer commitment in everything we do.
Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing to lead our merchandising and marketing efforts across our grocery store and convenience store locations. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving growth through effective merchandising strategies, fresh program development, brand development, and marketing initiatives.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in merchandising and marketing leadership roles, with a focus on fresh foods in the grocery industry.
• Strong understanding of merchandising principles, retail trends, and category management.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth through effective merchandising and marketing initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Understanding of retail price management systems, and retail profit and loss statements.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills

• Merchandising Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive merchandising strategies that align with the company’s overall business objectives. This includes product selection, pricing, and promotion.
• Vendor Relations: Cultivate and manage relationships with vendors to secure favorable terms, optimize product assortment, and negotiate promotional opportunities.
• Category and Gross Profit Management: Implement effective category management strategies, analyzing sales data and market trends to optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotion strategies for various product categories.
• Signature Program & New Item Development: Lead the conceptualization and implementation of signature programs, and new item development to distinguish Kessler’s from competitors, fostering customer loyalty and driving revenue growth. Collaborate with teams to create enticing and diverse menus for in-store cafes, delis, and other foodservice areas.
• Marketing Leadership: Oversee the development and implementation of innovative marketing campaigns, weekly ad planning, and other events to enhance brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and increase sales.
• Brand Development: Lead efforts to strengthen and evolve the Kessler’s brand, ensuring consistency in messaging and brand representation across all channels.
• Market Research and Analysis: Stay abreast of market trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior to inform merchandising and marketing strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments, including operations, finance, and IT, to ensure alignment and integration of merchandising and marketing efforts with overall business goals.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for merchandising and marketing activities, ensuring cost-effectiveness and maximum return on investment.
• Team Leadership: Provide leadership and direction to the merchandising and marketing teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in merchandising and marketing leadership roles, with a focus on fresh foods in the grocery industry.
• Strong understanding of merchandising principles, retail trends, and category management.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth through effective merchandising and marketing initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Understanding of retail price management systems, and retail profit and loss statements.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

At Kessler’s we offer very competitive benefits, bonus potential, and re-location packages.
If you are looking to challenge yourself, lead at a strategic level, and are passionate about retail we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications online. We look forward to reviewing your application