Corporate Director Store Planning & Merchandise Pl

SUPERVALU is a premier food and drug retail powerhouse with world-class supply chain and support services. We are the nation’s third largest grocery provider, with a diversified portfolio of regional retail banners, locally managed and branded, spanning the nation, coast-to-coast and border-to-border. As the largest food distributor to retail stores in the United States, we also provide a robust suite of supply chain services to serve both our own retail banners and thousands of independent retailers.

Combined, SUPERVALU’s two lines of business provide a wealth of diverse opportunities to grow and to contribute to a thriving enterprise.

Our Philosophy:

Ongoing pursuit of excellence is a way of life at SUPERVALU and a key to our success. To achieve excellence, we seek associates who will contribute innovative business solutions. We embrace change and welcome others who do.

Our employees are as diverse as our opportunities - representing all ages, backgrounds and parts of the country. What they have in common is: talent, passion, sense of urgency, focus, standards, integrity - and an unsurpassed customer orientation. They form the foundation of our SUPERVALU Advantage - the key to our continuing success.
Purpose 
The qualified candidate in this role will direct the Store Planning and Merchandise Planning activities for all Supervalu clients (Corporate Retail, Wholesale Retail and Licensee) using the established criteria for the Enterprise. Manage the merchandising layout process around flows, adjacencies, and space utilization. Execute and adapt in collaboration with the Visual Merchandiser, Enterprise Merchants and Banner management, merchandise fixture plans which meet established investment models and criteria.  Collaborate with the Real Estate and Store Development Directors to deliver the necessary documents required to meet the capital plan schedule.  Direct and Chair the plan review meetings with the Banners.  Actively participate and provide Merchandised Fixture Plans for review and discussion at Store Environment Team meetings with Enterprise and Banner Management.
Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities
LEADERSHIP

Direct the store planning and merchandise planning development process by establishing deliverables for the staff and coordinating with the Real Estate and Store Development Directors
Leads the Pre-PAC/PIC calls, with ownership of all cross-functional follows resulting from the calls.
Serve as key liaison with the Banner Presidents, SVP’s of Merchandising and Operations, and Director of Visual Merchandising for adaptation of Enterprise Merchandising and localization of the established criteria.
Responsible for on-time delivery of merchandised fixture plans to meet the capital plan dates.  Delivery dates as collaboratively established with the VP’s and Director’s of Real Estate and the Store Development.
Provide timely reverse feedback to the Director of Store Environment of the local views of completed projects to ensure implementation of continuous improvement opportunities
Using demographic information, analytical tools, store financials and criteria, make recommendations to Enterprise Merchants and Banner for localization of the offer.
Work closely with the Store Environment and Equipment Services team to execute established standards for implementation into merchandised fixture plans
Support Store Planning Managers, in establishing, recommending, and maintaining drawing integrity and CAD standards across all the regions.
Establish schedule, attend, and facilitate the monthly Banner plan review meetings with Banner senior management.  Provide written minutes and next steps for all meetings.
Attend, where feasible, existing store condition walk-thrus with Store Planner and Merchandiser Planners to support them in determining the appropriate scope per established criteria and be familiar with the demographic profile of each market to support project in Banner and Store Environment Team review meetings.
Responsible for reviewing the necessary documents and IC ready plans for the pre-investment council and investment council meetings.
Direct the offer and space optimization recommendations, standards, and implementation as agreed by Enterprise Merchants and Banner teams.
Provide creative recommendations to optimize flows, impact, and space optimization of the center store resets, remodel and new store plans.

MANAGEMENT

Identify resources needed and assign individuals responsibilities.
Articulate the company’s vision and strategy ensuring work products are supportive of these goals.
Responsible for personnel growth through the development of individual training programs, continuous feedback, and use of Performance Management tools.
Responsible for the development of new position(s) and job descriptions to support department needs.
Hiring of department personnel including written job description, job evaluation and grading with human resources, job  posting and advertising, review of submitted resumes and applications, personal interviews, and evaluation of  persons skills, history, and personality as measured against initial job requirements.
Hire and develop people of different genders, ethnic groups and races.
Create and executes project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
Provide internal direction, leadership and accountability for mission critical project management efforts among and across all departmental lines.
Define project objectives and measures to be tracked by the responsible business owner.
Oversee the profitable execution of all store design programs, including the establishment of short and long range design & planning objectives, trend directions, F/F/E development, sourcing, and procurement.

FINANCIAL

Develop department yearly department expense budgets.
Monitor and manage department spending against approved expense budgets.

Scope

Will supervise 4 to 6 associates directly, 20 - 30 indirectly.    
Makes recommendations to the VP of Store Design with regard to personnel actions including hiring, terminations, promotions, and salary increases.  Evaluates the work of subordinates and conducts regular performance appraisals.
Supervises, reviews, schedules and coordinates the work activities of assigned employees within the Store Planning Department.  Trains and develops all assigned employees within the respective region.
Maintain ongoing staff meetings to ensure coordination of all plan deliverables.

Job Requirements

Extensive experience in the food sector retail store planning area.  Certified Supermarket designer accreditation is preferred; degree in the design area is also preferred.
Must possess excellent leadership, organizational and supervisory skills and the ability to work with and through others to achieve desired results.
Must possess superior communication abilities, both verbal and written.
Must be flexible in nature and work well in a “change” environment.  
Some travel may be required

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws.  The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.
EOE.