Manager, Core Merchandising

On behalf of our client, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) we are recruiting for a Manager, Core Merchandising. MBLL is a Crown Corporation of the Province of Manitoba, responsible for the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages, and for providing gaming and entertainment experiences, all in a socially responsible manner. This corporation provides entertainment options through the Club Regent Casino and McPhillips Station Casino, a wide network of video lotto terminals, the distribution and sales of lottery tickets, a selection of food and live entertainment to complement the casino experience and the sales and distribution of alcohol beverages through liquor stores, private liquor outlets and licensed establishments throughout the province of Manitoba.  

Reporting to the Director Supply Chain, the Manager, Core Merchandising is responsible for the management and operation of the core merchandising group. The group strives to maximize sales and profitability by selecting, sourcing, pricing, merchandising, and promoting beverage alcohol products within the Liquor Marts and Liquor Vendor Channels based on consumer needs.

Key Accountabilities

Program Development and Management

• Articulate financial and non-financial merchandising targets, objectives, and measurements
• Define methodology for establishing category roles and intents and manage the overall category planning process
• Lead the development, planning and implementation of category management policies and procedures and oversee the category performance
• Establish product list/delist processes which align with category and financial performance targets
• Develop analytical framework to assort effective assortment management
• Develop centralized space planning processes which align with assortment planning
• Develop capabilities and processes to align regular and promotional pricing to category strategies and plans
• Manage and implement new pricing strategies, methodologies and processes
• Identify, execute and measure effectiveness of individual promotions with specific targets
• Manage the supplier on-boarding processes including performance expectation framework
• Develop vendor scorecard and evaluation process and conduct regular vendor reviews
• Develop processes to capture shopper insights to help guide merchandising decisions
• Establish key category analytics capabilities to drive decision making for assortments, pricing, and promotions
• Develop processes to obtain and analyze out of market trend information
• Develop centralized category driven assortment management processes to ensure appropriate breadth and depth of category assortment that leverages market and customer data that aligns with category strategy and performance objectives
• Establish category level promotional strategy, calendar, and themes that align with category strategies, roles, and intents

Strategic Business Planning and Financial Management

• Define overall merchandising strategy and category analytical function for MBLL managed retail locations
• Develop and manage plan-o-gram strategy and program
• Participate in departmental strategic planning and develop associated business initiatives
• Lead the development and maintenance of relevant departmental policies and procedures
• Champion Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by integrating CSR practices into projects, products, plans, and work practices, and by assessing the risks and opportunities associated with gambling and liquor products, as relevant
• Develop and manage merchandising financial planning processes to integrate with annual business planning processes
• Define annual financial and non-financial targets and measures and establish product performance criteria and evaluation process
• Define action plans to achieve category targets which consider consumer/shopper behaviors, assortment, inventory, promotions, pricing, and space planning
• Manage space productivity measures and tools to ensure financial targets (sales per linear foot) are met

Human Resource Management

• Provide leadership through solid people management practices
• Recruit, manage, coach and evaluate the performance of employees
• Ensure that department employees provide excellent customer service
• Provide training, guidance and direction. Ensure positive morale and motivation of employees. Resolve problems and issues, and provide conflict resolution in a sensitive, confidential and professional manner
• Ensure all applicable compliance, regulations, policies, procedures and corporate social responsibility are understood, supported and adhered to by all employees
• Carry out all required duties and responsibilities of a supervisor of workers, as outlined under provincial safety and health legislation

Communication & Consultation

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders
• Liaise and negotiate with customers and suppliers and support and manage relationships with third parties
• Liaise with external organizations, businesses and other jurisdictions. Provide regular reporting of merchandising activities to various committees and levels of management
• Develop and communicate action plans to maximize department performance efficiencies
• Prepare and deliver a variety of presentations to senior executive management
• Ensure effective communication and sharing of information, knowledge and expertise within and outside department
• Maintain a professional public image through the appropriate management of customer service and customer relations
  

Skills & Qualifications

• A degree in business administration or management related discipline with an emphasis on retail management
• Formal training in best practices of core merchandising activities
• A minimum of ten years’ progressive experience in a retail management capacity with a minimum five years’ experience as head merchant in a large consumer-based retail organization
• Solid experience in contemporary core merchandising activities with an analytics focus
• Demonstrated capabilities leading a large merchandising function
• International sourcing experience
• Must possess excellent communication, leadership and strategic planning skills
• Excellent negotiation/mediation skills with the ability to be persuasive, flexible, open-minded and able to perceive issues from another’s perspective
• Must demonstrate strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Previous entrepreneurial experience is an asset

If you feel you have the demonstrated background and are interested in learning more about this career opportunity please forward your resume to Kamalita.Ketler@mnp.ca or call 204.336.6107.