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Job Description
Primary Function:
The Supplier Management & Merchandising Operations Manager will support implementation of operational maintenance processes utilizing standard work capabilities and tools to achieve best in class assortment and customer experiences. This role will help deploy procurement strategies to achieve best in class availability, expand margin, and promote growth. You will oversee a team charged with managing supplier relationships and supporting the operational and reporting requirements for the aligned product categories. You will enable the deployment of merchandising and procurement strategies through analytical/operational support for aligned teams and categories.
This leader manages a team that:
- Develops and improves standard processes, workstreams, analytics capabilities, and tools to manage/prioritize operations and maintenance based on best practices, business partner feedback and data-driven insights
- The primary maintenance processes that the leader and team will be developing and supporting are designed to keep our assortment, merchandised presentation relevant, accurate, and up to date.
- Partners cross-functionally to identify and execute changes and identify opportunities for process and tools improvements.
- Serves as the main point of contact for internal business partners needing to support maintenance processes.
- Supports our supplier management procurement processes through competitive analysis, VoC insights and, other assigned research activities to support negotiation plan development.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
- Manages a team to the purpose, targets and goals covering the Supplier management & Merchandising operations.
- Identify capabilities to improve speed, flexibility and, consistency to manage operations that will include prioritization and capacity model(s).
- Help develop governance model to maintain the assortment lifecycle that will to preserve best customer experience.
- Help identify and develop KPI’s, measurements and targets to help provide visibility and progress.
- Focuses on communication to gain roadmap alignment with cross-functional business leaders (VP & Sr. Director/Director, as well as Manager level).
- Drives continuous improvement within the execution of the operations.
- Work with Supplier Managers and Merchandising managers to establish collaboration and reporting framework to regularly monitor progress.
Lead the team
- Coach and lead a team of individual contributors to help build, manage, and evaluate operational processes, measurements, tools capabilities and communications.
- Develops and mentor team members’ and their abilities across the different areas of discipline including communication, work management, data analytics & stakeholder management
- Apply performance management principles to coach, manage, and develop talent.
Job Requirements
Preferred Education & Experience:
Experience and knowledge base:
- 3+ years of experience in related fields (merchandising, procurement, operations, product management)
- Demonstrated knowledge of Procurement, Merchandising and Operations
Critical skills:
- Strategic Thinking – take a big picture, long term view; identify risks & opportunities; develop/support plans to achieve company and department objectives; set priorities
- Leadership – Provide overall direction to team – set the direction and create a plan; instill confidence and a desire to follow
- Systemic Thinking – understanding of the system by examining the linkages and interactions between the components that comprise the entirety of that defined system
- Change Management – able to introduce change and bring key stakeholders and partners through the change management curve. Influence and align team member, business partners and cross functional partners to achieve targets and goals
- Communication & Storytelling – must possess excellent verbal and written communication; active listening; take and distill complex information into a clear and appropriate messaging
- Relationship Building – identify key internal and external business partners and stakeholders at all levels and develop effective and strong partners; maintain open communication and coordination; leverage relationships in pursuit of objectives
- Business and Financial Acumen – knowledge and application of business strategies; effectively evaluate costs/benefits of varying options
Work Environment:
- Up to 10% domestic travel
Impact:
Role provides support in the development of operational processes, develop roadmaps for execution strategies, forecasting and prioritization model, monitoring progress and, identifying CI opportunities. They will serve as the key point of contact for the Supplier management and Merchandising leaders to deliver set strategies and goals for maintenance.
Rewards and Benefits:
Our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet your individual needs. Check out some of the benefits available to you with Grainger (may vary based on hours worked):
- Vehicle subsidy or company vehicle based on territory requirements
- Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and up to 12 company holidays per year (dependent on home province)
- Life insurance coverage, including spousal and dependent life insurance
- Employee Family Assistance Program to help team members with physical, emotional, mental, financial and other concerns
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan & Defined Contribution Pension Plan to help you save for your financial future
- Educational & Professional Membership Fee Assistance program
- Employee discounts, team member perks and more!
DEI Statement
We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly match this job post as you may still be the right candidate for this role or others. We aspire to create a culture where everyone is comfortable being who they are, can learn and grow to realize their full potential, and is recognized and rewarded for their impact.
Pre-employment background checks are required for all external candidates. Internal candidates undergo a background check when they move from a non-driving role to a driving role or to a director+ position.
Grainger is an Equal Opportunity Workplace. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. Accommodations are available on request.