Director In-Store Merchandising and Forecasting No Frills

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued - as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

The Director, In-Store Merchandising and Forecasting is accountable for communicating merchandising standards and direction through the Merchandising Guidance Tool (MGT) and optimizing forecasts for all programs. The Director will ensure that programs developed are applicable to the banner and will review the weekly MGT to ensure changes are communicated. The Director will action stores' requests, pull on-hands, and work with category on exit plans. They will be responsible for reviewing the weekly volume report, adjusting where necessary, overseeing the sell-through and communication of weekly on-hands by working closely with the Business Units. In addition, the Director will monitor days on hand and work with the District Manager to improve, plan allocations for large programs, and communicate with category on targets.

Accountabilities:

Planning and Forecasting
• Ensure programs developed are applicable for the banner
• Review the allocation planning process for large programs and overall banner program forecasting
• Liaise with the Buying Customer Support (BCS) team on a weekly basis to review all inbound availability issues and assist with any mitigation plans
• Lead the process for all key total store program mapping through the Merchandising Guidance Tool
• Develop and enhance floor mapping tool to cater to evolving customer needs driven by demographic changes
• Oversee forecast validation for flyer ad items including front page, back page, and inside pages
• Oversee forecast review and in-store merchandising for key programs and events

Process Management
• Review weekly volume report and adjust where necessary
• Ensure floor plans built to drive required programs and accommodate flow of inventory to optimize sales, profit and enhanced store execution
• Liaise with category teams on new program launches, enhancements, and seasonal flips to drive optimal programs at No Frills stores

Customer Experience Management (Stores and Customers)
• Communicate merchandising standards and direction through Merchandising Guidance Tool and Execution Guides
• Action store requests for flow of inventory, while pulling on hand inventory reports and working closely with the Category team on an exit plan for code date items and excess inventory
• Coordinate post-mortem sell-through reports to ensure excess inventory is addressed in a timely fashion
• Ad Hoc reporting on performance and support for any promotional store inquiries

Role Requirements:
• University degree in business administration, with focus on risk and/or project management as an asset.
• High analytical and problem-solving skills, process driven
• Proven ability to lead a team
• Proven ability to develop short- and long-term plans in line with corporate strategies.
• Excellent communicator up, down and across the enterprise
• Strong cross functional capabilities to leverage BU teams, Supply Chain, BCS and store operations
• Strong management, negotiation and persuasion skills, optimizing outcomes for all parties concerned
• Must be detail oriented and able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have strong computer skills (specifically Excel and creating pivot tables)

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars - Environment, Sourcing and Community - and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values - Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence - guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits - these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada's Top Employers, Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Canada's Greenest Employers & Canada's Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.
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