VP, Merchandising - Fresh
On-siteEmeryville, California, United States
Job Summary
Own the strategy and financial performance of Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat businesses, delivering sales growth, margin expansion, and inventory productivity across $1.1 billion in annual revenue. Lead end-to-end assortment planning, buying, pricing, and sourcing while negotiating with growers, producers, and distributors to optimize product access and economics. Partner with Supply Chain to evolve distribution capabilities from third-party to self-distribution, ensuring product availability and freshness. Develop high-performing teams of category leaders and future executives, balancing strategic oversight with direct engagement in major buys and supplier relationships. Collaborate with Marketing, Finance, and Independent Operators to align category priorities with store execution and customer needs.
Required Qualifications
- 15+ years of progressive merchandising, buying or category management experience within grocery, food retail, wholesale or a closely related industry
- Current or prior experience operating at the Vice President level, or in a comparable role leading a large and complex merchandising business
- Proven success managing a significant category portfolio with accountability for sales, margin, sourcing, inventory and overall financial performance
- Strong knowledge of Fresh commodity markets, sourcing models, supplier economics, quality considerations and inventory dynamics
- Demonstrated ability to remain close to buying and market activity while setting and executing a long-term business strategy
- Proven ability to lead, coach and develop strong Buyers, Directors and future merchandising leaders
- Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including the ability to interpret complex business data and translate insights into action
- Exceptional negotiation, supplier management and external relationship-building skills
- Strong internal relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels
- Demonstrated humility, integrity, sound judgment and willingness to engage directly in the work
- Strong executive presence and communication skills, including the ability to present clear, data-supported recommendations to senior leadership
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Agriculture, Supply Chain or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Desired Qualifications
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up like evolving retail environment
- Experience across both Produce and Fresh Meat is strongly preferred; candidates with exceptional depth and leadership experience in Produce will also be considered
- Experience helping an organization transition from a third-party distribution model to a self-distribution model a plus!
- Experience working within an independently operated, franchise or decentralized retail model preferred
- Experience owning or operating a business is preferred
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