SUMMARY: The Meat Sales Manager position displays a high degree of professionalism in representing AWG as a representative to our membership in Meat merchandising and sales. This position plays a major role in educating the retailer on AWG programs that drive same store sales to attain maximum profitability. Manager is responsible for directing, supporting, and coordinating all activities and functions involving the sales and marketing of meat products at the divisional level. This includes, but is not limited to, providing all retailer-driven requirements in the selling process, all staffing functions, and the continual pursuit of all activities that are consistent with the philosophies and objectives of AWG.

 This position supports AWG’s mission to remain firmly committed to our long-established mission statement: 

“Our mission is to ensure the success of our member retailers and provide opportunities to our employees. This will be accomplished by satisfying the customers’, and our member retailers, needs for quality supermarket merchandise and superior support services. We will do this with high quality employees whose mission is to provide the lowest possible cost of good in order to ensure our members profitability, competiveness and continued growth.”

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the VP of Merchandising or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position.

1. Build a relationship of trust and loyalty between members and Meat department.
2. Coordinate all sales and staffing activities including but not limited to, period sales events, food shows, new item distribution, and any other type of sales event.
3. Select and train department staff members to establish objectives and developmental plans for each.
4. Manage, direct and review staff members by providing a quarterly update of the staff members’ progress in relation to their established goals and objectives.
5. Supervise, monitor and control the division expenses to maintain a profitable and professional atmosphere.
6. Direct the division staff to achieve and maintain the established goals and objectives of the Division, Territory, Sales Representatives, and specific retailer store as it relates to Meat.
7. Work closely with all departments at AWG, especially Member Services, Procurement, Warehousing, Advertising, Pricing, and Shelf Management on all areas pertaining to all meat sales functions.
8. Achieve desired goals for sales, expenses, advertising, pricing, shelf placement, signage, and temporary price reductions on all Meat products and promotions.
9. Establish regular calls with all Key division retailers as provided to present merchandising programs and share product information relevant to the retailers business and success.
10. Communicate the divisional, members, and staff's needs to the Director of Procurement and Member Services or appropriate support staff on a continuous basis.
11. Direct and plan all divisional new store openings, members’ employee samplings, special events, divisional food shows, demos, and other functions and/or events as needed as it pertains to Meat.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation will be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense. The accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Retail grocery store experience preferred. Degree not required, but equivalent work experience in retail preferred; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience must be in a management role in the field of Meat. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and speak fluent English and comprehend operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to make presentations effectively before small and large groups.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Possess the ability to read and interpret departmental financial and operating statements. Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. 

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Possess the ability to reason with members and gain mutual respect with a common goal of increasing sales and profitability.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: A current valid driver’s license is required with a good driving record history.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Strong competency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. These skills are all used in servicing our member retail stores in promotional and merchandising events. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. All visual skills are used in merchandising in promotional events and food shows.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions providing a hardship is not required of the company or membership.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud during remodeling, promotional activities and open house. This position works in or around freezer, coolers and refrigerated areas. This position's basic purpose is to use all available resources to assist the Merchandising Department in continuous growth and financial success of the Membership and Company.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving over 1,100 member companies and over 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale Divisions. The consolidated run-rate sales for AWG are $12.3billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, print and digital marketing services, health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmaceutical products, specialty foods, and natural and organic products. 

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
• Wellness Program
• Yearly Holiday Bonus