Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and general direction for all categories within the assigned Signature Department including development, ownership, and execution of our strategies.
• Leads, develops, negotiates and maintains vendor and merchandise programs (payment terms, inventory position, rebate, pricing, marketing allowances, returns, etc) for all merchandise in assigned categories.
• Evaluates, selects and positions brands and items for sale in retail farm stores to ensure successful product mix and assortment.
• Plans, leads and directs merchandise presentation in assigned categories.
• Establishes, maintains, and updates regular and special retail pricing to maximize available margins.
• Participates in marketing planning, selects merchandise, prices and proofs category advertising.
• Leads store Area Specialist team through meetings, conference calls and direct visits.
• Leads & coordinates store and customer training in assigned categories.
• Leads and maintains system file maintenance including costs, vendor, and order information through coordination with File Maintenance Specialist.
• Work closely with Store Managers, Buyers and the DC staff to maintain open, organized, merchandise coordination.
• Communicates category plans and execution strategy to store level.
• Completes scheduled Category Business Reviews on a cyclical basis, leads and develops comprehensive category business plans.
• Responsible for achieving sales and gross margin budgets for assigned categories and Signature Department categories.
• Leads and consults on strategic positioning for new product launches and development of presentations for our customers.
• Optimize marketing actions by analyzing/evaluating competitive activities on regional/market basis; provide recommendations on appropriate activities to achieve increased market share.
• Prepares and submits statistical reports, graphic illustrations of findings, and action plan recommendations to Merchandise and Manger as well as Senior Management. Shop competitors by phone and in person to insure competitive prices in assigned departments.
• Attend and effectively work shows and activities supporting assigned categories.
• Participate in regular and special meetings.
• Participate in coordination of buying and ordering in assigned categories.
• And other duties, responsibilities and/or tasks as assigned.

Special Skills & Training

Skills and Training

• Knowledge of computer inventory systems operation and associated software.
• Skill to operate computer, fax, copy machine and other automated office machines.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and co-workers.
• Strong understanding of farm store operations/merchandising.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, decision making, and leadership skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop tactics and manage execution to insure deadlines are met.

Experience and Education

• High School education required, four year degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Two plus (2+) years of category development, sales analysis experience.
• Require strong quantitative skills including a proficiency in syndicated data analysis. Candidates must have an in depth knowledge of market research methodologies, models, and tools.
• Four (4 +) years of Retail, with at least two (2 +) years Retail Shelf Merchandising.
• Strong MS Office skills.
• Working/advanced Activant system knowledge preferred.
• Prior Store Department Layout development experience.
• Two (2+) years of specific category assignment experience.
• Two (2+) years supervisory experience

Physical Requirements

Occasional bag/bale lifting.

Remote Eligible

Last updated: May 14, 2025 @ 15:45:00