Overview:
With more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and 84,000 stores globally, it is no wonder 7-Eleven, Inc. has been named an iconic brand. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. also operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost locations.
Since inventing the convenience industry in 1927, 7-Eleven has built a rich 96-year history filled with beloved products like Slurpee, Big Gulp and Big Bite, and fan-favorite holidays like Slurpee Day and Bring Your Own Cup Day.
Now, 7-Eleven is on a mission to contemporize the brand and redefine convenience – and we need your help.
Work location options: Irving TX; Enon OH
Responsibilities:
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Sales & Planning.- Manages, improves and recommends the product assortment for the stores on a
national basis for assigned category.
- Develops annual category plans which include current situation analysis, vision/strategy, and specific category plans.
- Plans include assortment and positioning, product improvements and development plans, projected revenues and gross profit, display, price, promotion
and communication to stores.
- Drill plans down into seasonal calendars, monthly implementation plans and recurring assortment change calendars.
- Performs monthly analysis and verification of plans.
- Provides explanations for variances in budgeted sales and gross profit and provides projection for upcoming months.
- Develops an in-depth understanding of the key strategic initiatives and policies of
merchandising and ensures assigned category strategies are within Merchandising and Corporate strategy and policy.
- Develops pricing strategy for assigned categories.
- Develops recommended retail pricing guidelines (which are subject to executive
committee approval) for the stores to optimize category profitability and establishes suggested retail prices within these guidelines.
- Reviews competitor pricing information gathered by Zone Merchandising Leaders, Merchandisers and pricing group and recommends pricing.
- Approves pricing recommendations made by Associate Category Manager.
- Works with Marketing Department on advertising/promotions for assigned category.
- Works on POP, co-op agreements and promotion timetables and strategies.
- Develops cost/benefit analysis to determine return on advertising and promotional dollars. Vendor or Supplier Relationships / Supply Chain Management.
- Identifies leverage opportunities with vendors and negotiates contracts (working with Procurement), supply agreements and/or programs to achieve the lowest possible acquisition costs (cost of goods) for products selected for the categories on an ongoing basis.
- Identifies new suppliers to distribute products through CDC and works with Logistics and Procurement in negotiating quality expectations, reduced product costs, etc with supplier at the senior management level.
- Works with suppliers and/or other SEI managers to stabilize product supply through forecasting of key products and working with Logistics to solve issues.
- Reviews and works with Logistics group and manufacturers to resolve out-of-stock issues.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with representatives and senior management of national suppliers.
- Meets with national vendors on a regular basis to discuss new product development and ways to lower costs.
- Works with Logistics and Senior Management of key suppliers to ensure that we are meeting our goals with regard to Business Transformation and other Logistics model priorities for 7-Eleven (this includes strategic initiatives based on the product(s)' current method of distribution and potential recommended changes.) Assortment / Display management (including POP / Customer messaging).
- Owns the strategic Product Assortment direction and guidelines for assigned categories.
- Guides Category Manager, Associate Category Managers and Merchandisers in the development of the schematics.
- Gathers input from the Merchandisers into regional assortment needs.
- Performs narrowing (SKU rationalization) of assigned categories and works with
suppliers to narrow products supplied to stores.
- Manages the product develop process for assigned categories (including Team
Merchandising)
- Manages the implementation of field tests for new products and categories.
- Oversees verification of tests performed by Merchandisers and determines next course of action based upon verification results.
- Reviews solicitations from potential suppliers to determine if potential product is viable for 7-Eleven.
- Conduit for communication.
- As lead for the assigned categories, owns communication of key strategic initiatives across Merchandising Senior leadership Zone Leaders and other key leadership positions.
- Manages day to day communication of key messaging to assigned categories across Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, Logistics and other related groups.
Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelors/4 year degree.- 5+ years experience.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Effective communication.
- Negotiating experience