Position Summary:

The Vice President of Division Marketing& Merchandising is a senior leader responsible for driving category performance, profitability, and customer experience across a division of approximately 150 stores. This role leads the strategic planning and execution of pricing, promotion, assortment, and merchandising initiatives tailored to the division’s unique market dynamics. The VP partners with corporate merchandising, store operations, supply chain, and vendor partners to deliver exceptional results and align with enterprise goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Category Leadership

· Develop and execute the annual category business plan for the division, grounded in performance analytics, market trends, and customer insights.

· Set and manage financial targets for sales, gross profit, and market share growth across all categories.

· Lead the development of localized pricing, promotional, and assortment strategies that reflect regional customer preferences and competitive conditions.

Merchandising Execution

· Oversee the creation and implementation of planograms, adjacencies, and in-store merchandising strategies to optimize space and drive conversion.

· Guide the selection and lifecycle management of product assortments, ensuring alignment with category roles and financial goals.

· Monitor and adjust strategies based on performance metrics, customer feedback, and market shifts.

Vendor & Partner Collaboration

· Serve as the division’s executive lead for vendor relationships within assigned categories, driving strategic negotiations and joint business planning.

· Maximize vendor funding and support for promotional and innovation initiatives.

· Represent the division in key vendor meetings and planning sessions.

Cross-Functional Alignment

· Collaborate with Store Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Corporate Merchandising to ensure seamless execution of category strategies.

· Communicate category plans and promotional calendars to ensure alignment across departments and optimal inventory positioning.

· Support the implementation of corporate initiatives within the division, tailoring them to local market needs.

Team Leadership & Development

· Lead and develop a high-performing team of category managers, analysts, and support staff.

· Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

· Oversee talent development, succession planning, and performance management within the merchandising function.

Qualifications:

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

· 15+ years of experience in retail merchandising or category management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

· Deep experience in the grocery or consumer goods industry.

· Proven track record of managing large-scale merchandising operations across multiple locations.

Skills & Competencies:

· Strong strategic thinking and financial acumen.

· Expertise in category planning, pricing strategy, and promotional effectiveness.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

· Deep understanding of consumer insights, retail operations, and supply chain dynamics.

· Proficiency in merchandising systems and analytics tools.

Work Environment:

· Hybrid work environment with regular travel to stores, vendor meetings, and division offices.

· Fast-paced, collaborative, and results-driven culture.