Divisional Vice President - Fresh

About Us:

WHSmith North America is North America’s premier award-winning travel retailer in the airport marketplace. For over 65 years, WHSNA has provided clients with a portfolio of attractive, successful brands! We currently operate more than 300 stores across the United States and Canada, and we are always looking for the best in talent.

Marshall Retail Group is part of the WHSmith Group of companies which has a strong track record of meeting high sustainability standards. This role is key to helping us grow our reputation in this area. Our parent group, WHSmith has recently launched a new Sustainability Strategy - Our Journey to a Better Business - across the three themes of Planet, People and Communities. We are looking for someone based in Las Vegas to work with our Sustainability Team in the UK and help develop and deliver this agenda in a format which is relevant for the US Market.

Job Summary:

The Divisional Vice President for Fresh & Local will be accountable for leading the merchandise function and managing the fresh food & local food and beverage categories. You will be a key member of the merchandising team, responsible for planning, strategy, and direction. You will have significant influence internally and externally and will be pivotal to delivering the business targets through bold decision making and expert leadership.

• Delivery category strategy including all aspects of the plan – supplier plans, product assortment reviews etc.
• Identifying new and emerging categories to keep MRG ahead of our competitors
• Delivering KPIs – sales, margin, and net margin
• Ongoing in-flight management working with your team to report and review analysis of sales and margin, identifying trading gaps and opportunities and developing tactical responses to course correct performance back to plan.
• Owner of the trading plans, working with your team to develop initiatives to drive sales and gross margins – initiatives would include managing new product launches, promotional plans, and new store openings.
• Delivering KPIs – sales, margin, and net margin
• Oversee vendor relationships, negotiations & agreements to deliver required commercial plan - including cost prices, promotional support, markdown funding and supplier investment.
• Using market data to benchmark performance versus market, understanding emerging trends and the opportunities and risks such trends bring to our model, developing plans to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks resulting from developments in our markets
• Creating and agreeing the financial plan/budget for the year

Qualifications:

• Minimum 8+ years in buying merchandise preferred in grocery, convenience, or travel channels
• Analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial data to drive decisions.
• Must possess strong commercial acumen with a solid background delivering strategies which drive long term sustainable sales, margin and net margin growth.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and represent the department up to the executive level
• Strong track record of people management creating a positive work culture and building a team to succeed.
• Must be able to flex between long term strategic thinking, and short-term tactical action planning.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.
• Previous experience building and delivering a budget
• Strong influential and communication skills to negotiate with internal and external stakeholders
• Proven track record of making an impact and delivering change within previous roles

Benefits:

• Huge Employee Discount at all our stores, so check us out
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flex Time Off Policy
• FREE Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k with company match
• And more!
• Competitive pay!
• Amazing training & career path

We can’t wait to meet you so apply today at www.JobsatMRG.com!

EEO/ADA/DFWP

WH Smith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law. At WH Smith North America, it’s about each person bringing passion and skills to a dynamic and inclusive workplace!