Director Store Environment

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
Responsible for creating, leading and directing all store environment design related activities for Store Design Services clients – Supervalu Corporate Retail, Wholesale Retail and Licensee Retail.  Creating the vision for the total Store Environment, integrating functions within SDS and cross-functional Strategic Partners.  Collaborates with Strategic Partners (Shopper Marketing, Retail Ops, EM Merchandising) through the end-to-end ‘Holistic’ Design process ensuring that the Design Intent is realized all the way to Execution.  Partners and co-leads with Director of A&E and Shopper Marketing, the creation, execution and updating of all established format guidelines within Criteria (Tier 1, 2 and 3).
Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities
LEADERSHIP

Lead innovation and new idea thinking on the store environment, merchandising, fixturing, finishes, graphics and signage, and exterior presentation to enhance or success in the marketplace.
Inspire change in an effort to keep fresh, exciting and up-to-date with our shopper’s expectation and improving our competitive advantage.
Lead critical and strategic thinking, innovation and new ideas for the evolution of the in-store environment.
Oversee high profile initiatives and special projects including clear communication of objective, ensure contribution of key individuals/depts, debate and resolution to obstacles and deliverables against deadline.
Effectively applying organizational agility and influencing without authority to overcome objections that hamper the implementation of critical project management process improvement efforts.

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.

DESIGN

Creates the ‘holistic vision of the Store Environment supporting our Customer needs. 
Evaluate new businesses and products from the environmental design & visual merchandising perspectives to ensure ideas can easily merge into both existing and new store layouts and merchandising sets.
Identify opportunities for improvement to the store environment and make constructive suggestions for change.
Continuous review, refinement and optimize criteria for our retail environments to ensure they best support the company’s mission and the consumers needs and wants.
Develop new, innovative strategies with long-term value for the design, visual merchandising and visual communications within our stores.
Balance short term and long term design and visual merchandising solutions to supply a store with on-going interest and appeal to our customer.
Head designer for the development of all new design initiatives.
Advise on and understand retail design trends, design materials, the retail and grocery industry, software advances, upgrades, and enhancements.

FINANCIAL

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

Scope

Will supervise 3 - 6 associates directly and 15 - 30 indirectly. 
Directs the design and administration of 100-150 projects annually, with total fee income of $600,000 to $900,000.
Annual décor materials and furnishing sales of $3,000,000 to $10,000,000.
Annual profit from design fees and décor sales up to $500,000.
Annual construction value of designed projects $15,000,000 to $30,000,000.

Job Requirements

Architecture or Interior Design degree required or other acceptable field related qualifications.
Ten years previous work experience in interior design, store planning, equipment and construction required. Professional licensure in the related field preferred.
At least 5 years experience in design management
Makes evaluations in diverse situations and must be capable of interfacing and communication at the highest level of management within organizations involved with retail store development.
Knowledge of computer applications in the areas of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and in the use of PCs is required.
Certification by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) and professional registration is required.
Strong leadership and communications skills to build an effective team and lead change
Current knowledge of industry trends in retail or restaurant design, Lighting Design, Visual Merchandising, or Theatrical Design experience (preferred)
Analytical skills and ability to recommend solutions based on solid understanding of business competitive landscape and market trends.
Possess strong negotiation, conflict resolution and communications skills both written and verbal
Projects management, leadership and organization skills
Ability to apply knowledge of multidisciplinary business principles and practices to achieve successful outcomes in cross-functional projects and activities
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.