04-22-2014

Summary:  Responsible for assisting the Category Manager in merchandising, marketing, promotion, procurement, retail pricing of products and product commodities.  Identifies category market sales and volume potential and changes/trends, and recommends go-to-market strategies to the Category Manager.  Responsible for supporting the Category Manager in developing and maintaining current comprehensive category business plans that include measurable goals, timelines, sales and profit targets and maintaining desired market share.  Direct the development of a comprehensive product marketing cycle by performing the following essential duties. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned or required. 

Procurement:
Responsible for writing purchase orders and maintaining adequate warehouse supplies, maximizing both service levels to the stores and product turns.  Will manage both replenishment and promotional buying,.

Item Assortment:
Assist the Category Manager in the development of a strategic and comprehensive category assortment plan that supports the overall Harris Teeter marketing strategy.  Participates in overall product strategy, research and development requirements, development, and manufacturing coordination for new and emerging products.
 Recommends new items to the category manager, and introduces them to market, distribution
 Completes new item forms and submits for set-up
 Recommends items for discontinuation
 Manages the discontinued process from the stores and the warehouses (clearance retails, item status change).

Sales Planning:
Assist the Category Manager in the development of a strategic and comprehensive item sales plan that supports the overall Harris Teeter marketing strategy.
 Recommends promotional activities and implements promotional plans in appropriate HT system.
 Responsible for forecasting and procurement of promotional product
 Provides financial and technical justification for product selection and definition.
 Coordinates program planning with vendor to ensure identification of appropriate manufacturing schedules, goals, design criteria, costs and similar considerations.
 Coordinate assigned programs to ensure accomplishment of financial and budgetary goals concerning sales and gross profit objectives. 

Pricing:
Assist the Category Manager in managing pricing decisions.
 Monitor and maintain retail prices according to the corporate pricing strategy and procedure. 

Schematics:
Assist the Category Manager in managing shelf schematics.
 Manage and maintain accurate and current shelf schematics that meet Harris Teeter criteria.
 Prepare category reset plan proposals for the Category Manager
 Ensure all products are available prior to the start of a set cycle
 Oversee set team activities

Store Brands:
Assist Store Brands Team and Category Manager in managing the Store Brands portfolio.
 Manages Store Brand sales, volume and pricing versus goals
 Responsible for sales planning, execution, and budgeting for Store Brands
 Provides technical expertise in support of new product development.
 Prepares product development objectives and schedules for all phases of product development and introduction to market.
 Identifies partnering opportunities for complementary third-party products to broaden company's product line.

Customer:
Assist the Category Manager in tailoring category offerings and promotions that drive customer spend and profitability.
 Collaborates with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop and provide product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities.
 Develops and maintains a prioritized list of customer and market requirements for product.
 Assists the Market Research department in identifying and tracking market trends in the industry.

Regulatory:
 Maintain current knowledge of, comply with and enforce all company and local / state / federal regulatory requirement relating to food products and food safety. 
 Maintain accurate and adequate records, contract and other information vital to protecting company assets which would include the following: New Vendor Form, Certificate of Insurance, Signed W-9 Form, Vendor Acknowledgment Form and the Harris Teeter Product Disposition Form. 

Competitive:
Assists the Category Manager in monitoring competitive activities in the market.
 Produces competitive analysis materials comparing product with its key competitors.
 Reviews and analyzes syndicated market data and identifies opportunities for category improvement.
 Maintains competitor ad history file containing items, retails, and timeframes

Additional Job Functions:
Available to travel up to 1 week in duration, including overseas. 
Stay current with industry trends through Trade Magazines and other media.
Attend seminars and trade shows related to the department upon approval by supervisor. 
Visit Harris Teeter Supermarkets along with competitors on a regular basis. 

Competency:  To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures. 
• Design - Demonstrates attention to detail. 
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations. 
• Project Management – Assist in development of project plans; completes projects on time and budget.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively.
• Change Management – Supports change within the organization.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; displays passion and optimism.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; works with integrity and ethically.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; benefits organization through outside activities.

• Strategic Thinking – Assist in the development of strategies to achieve organizational goals; analyzes market and competition.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; seeks increased responsibilities; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
• Innovation - Develops innovative approaches and ideas.
• Judgment - Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance.
• Quantity - Completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures