Manager, Merchandising Bakery

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

THIS POSITION IS FOR THE FORTINOS CORPORATE OFFICE

General Purpose

The Merchandising Manager is a pivotal role which provides required support to Senior Director, District Manager and Franchisees to develop and maintain merchandising strategies to meet organizational objectives. Effective management of all merchandising to ensure great execution on both merchandising standards in order to achieve growth in sales, profit and market share

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop action/business plans for stores based on P & L to increase sales, market share and department contributions.
• Provide guidance to Franchisees and department managers. This would include assisting with training requirements and level of coaching necessary to deliver expectations, assist when asked in providing feedback of performance and areas for improvement and development, assist with setting specific department standards, specifications (skills set and qualifications).
• Provide ongoing feedback to stores, DM’s for such things as balancing the skills set of the department to the volume/layout of the stores, assisting in succession planning discussions based on observations.
• Ensure a high standard of planogram compliance and completed to the standard of execution that is communicated. Ensure department adherence to audits i.e. LAR, H & S, Food Safety etc.
• Working knowledge of all departments within their area of responsibility.
• Identify areas of opportunities and prioritize stores that will receive focused Specialist support.
• Identify list of bottom 20% of stores in area and develop and execute an improvement plan with the assistance of the Director and Sr. Director.
• Working with assigned Specialists to ensure department adherence to company policies/procedures and consistent execution process and strategy. Determine how variances from policy or strategy should be addressed.
• Accurate inputting of information for ads and JDA and retail price adjustments.
• Act as a liaison to ensure effective collaboration between stores and merchandising, applying expertise in both fields to help provide clarity and reach agreement on specific standards of execution.
• Required to analyze department performance and provide feedback. Develop action plans to address any gaps in performance or procedure. Follow up with key stakeholders on prior feedback/action plans in order to ensure continuous department improvement. Keep Sr. Director and District Managers abreast of progress on improvement plans in their respective stores.
• Identify stores that require priority assistance reducing shrink, develop action plans with Specialist, and Franchisees to address this issue, and work with them to implement the action plan.
• Work with others on customer complaints and requests for new products to ensure high levels of customer service.
• Clear communication to stores for directives and updates.
• Develop vendor relationships
• Ensure that budgets are met and that targets for CLASS measurements are achieved.
• As required, help resolve external issues such as vendor credits and internal issues such as labour scheduling and interpersonal conflicts.
• Track the rollout of new standards and new store openings.
• As required, assist with new store openings and refurbishments.
• Others duties as required.

Education and Experience

• Retail management experience.
• Operational experience as a specialist, preferably in Bakery
• Excellent problem solving, communication, interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Leading and motivating others.
• Minimum 5 years managerial experience.
• Merchandising and operations experience would be an asset.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Bakery operations.
• Ability to develop and execute short and long term plans in line with corporate strategy.
• Excellent Communication skills.
• Must have Food Safety training.
• Willingness to follow a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Must be adaptable to work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Must have a good working knowledge of the collective agreement, Health and Safety policies, practices and laws.
• Computer skills – Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook (e-mail).
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.

Key Competencies

• Valid Ontario drivers license with ability to travel within Ontario on a semi-regular basis to support store functions.
• Strong problem solving skills including experience formulating and executing action plans.
• Must possess good people skills, communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Superior customer relations skills and a strong sense of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to multi task.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and achieve results.
• Customer focused and able to nurture positive customer relationships.
• Highly organized and has a high degree of attention to detail.

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

In addition, we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing. Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct – it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.