Prepared Foods Director

Description

At Earth Fare, we're more than just a grocery store; we're a community dedicated to helping people live healthy lives. With a history rooted in Asheville, North Carolina, since 1975, we've grown to 16 stores across the U.S., each committed to offering the highest quality natural and organic products. Our mission is clear: help people live healthy lives. As an Earth Fare team member, you'll join a vibrant, mission-driven culture where your passion for wellness can truly make a difference. We celebrate innovation, sustainability, and personal growth, offering you the chance to be part of a team that not only talks about health but lives it every day. Come grow with us, where your work helps shape a healthier future for all

 As an expert in the Prepared Foods category, the Prepared Foods Director is responsible for overseeing the in-store retailing of Prepared Foods across all Earth Fare locations, contributing to profitability by optimizing product sales, improving inventory turnover, and maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. This role involves building relationships with vendors, strategic pricing, marketing, and managing the supply chain to ensure the category's success.

Key Responsibilities:

Vendor Management:

• Effectively communicate to build cooperative relationships with national and local market vendors.

  • Maximize vendor profitability and contribution per SKU.

  • Develop new sources for product and product development.

  • Negotiate pricing, vendor programs, delivery, and payment terms.

  • Facilitate promotional agreements and support for being first to market with new products, innovations, and points of difference.

Pricing and Marketing:

• Recommend and set everyday and promotional pricing points to competitively position products.

  • Adjust pricing to manage inventory flow and maximize productivity based on consumer demand.

  • Build 52-week marketing calendars to support business growth and differentiation.

  • Use planograms for effective product placement and merchandising.

  • Collaborate with the marketing team to develop marketing vehicles that support category goals.

Category Management, Strategic Planning, Execution, and Inventory Supply Chain:

• Lead and execute the strategic plan for the Prepared Foods category.

  • Launch and expand successful product lines, implementing exit strategies for unproductive merchandise.

  • Maximize category results through vendor development and product innovation.

  • Leverage data-driven decision-making to drive growth and profitability.

  • Develop and manage a strong control label program.

  • Balance forecasts with actual sales to create accurate trend forecasts for ordering guidelines.

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and implement strategies for the Prepared Foods departments to align with company goals.

• Lead a team of managers and staff to ensure consistency in product quality and service across all stores.

• Innovate and update menu items to reflect seasonal availability, customer preferences, and health trends.

Operational Excellence:

• Work with Prepared Food Team Leaders and Store Team Leaders to oversee kitchen operations to ensure compliance with food safety regulations, manage inventory, and control costs.

Quality Control:

• Regularly review practices to maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and cleanliness.

Financial Oversight:

• Manage budgets, forecast needs, and analyze performance metrics to drive profitability.

Customer Experience:

• Enhance customer satisfaction through innovative offerings and service standards.

Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise:

1. Product knowledge in the natural/organic meat & seafood category required; natural/organic grocery management experience preferred.

2. Proficient in MS Office, Excel, database, and word processing programs.

3. Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and financial analysis skills.

4. Strong decision-making, negotiation, leadership, multi-tasking, and communication skills.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retailing, Management, Sales, or Marketing required.

• At least 5 years of experience in grocery retail, preferably in the natural/organic meat & seafood category.

• Experience with product purchasing, negotiating, financial analysis, inventory control, P&L management, and planogram execution.

• Previous roles in category management, including broker/vendor/supplier relationships, preferred.

• Previous experience in management. 

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Retirement plan options

• Employee discount programs

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Qualifications

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000