Operational Specialist-Deli/Food Service-North Shore, MA

Purpose

Responsible for engaging, coaching and developing department managers and their teams for the

maximization of sales and profits; enhanced merchandising; service first; improved shrink;

excellence in execution plus the selection, development and training of department teams.

Likewise insures that Department Managers work to maintain clean, efficient, well-stocked stores

with competitive prices and fast friendly customer service. Ensures that operations are consistent

with established Company policies and objectives.

Job Responsibilities And Accountabilities Overall

• Ensures that store and department objectives are in alignment with division goals.
• Works collaboratively with store directors and department managers to insure that common
  
  

objectives are being addressed.

• Works closely with division category merchandising teams to insure an understanding of
  
  

merchandising goals and execution.

• Provides expert knowledge through instruction, coaching and development, to enable
  
  

department managers to achieve company, division, district and store objectives. Proactively

stays in touch with new trends and practices to improve operational performance.

• Focuses on the clarification of roles and responsibilities; establishing clear lines of
  
  

accountability. Financial

• Coaches department managers in all aspects of financial management: sales planning;
  
  

ordering; inventory management; merchandising for sales and profits; labor scheduling;

• Assists store associates in using and interpreting IT reports; becoming proficient with new
  
  

technology and utilizing it to its maximum advantage.

• Constantly monitors and recommends ways to control operating costs and maximize return
  
  

on investment.

• Analyzes financial reports; sales and profits trends; labor planning and scheduling; customer
  
  

feedback; associate feedback, etc.

Merchandising

• Attends sales and merchandising execution meetings with division office staff. Works in
  
  

collaboration with the merchandising team on ideas to drive sales and profits; identify

problems and arrive at solutions.

• Communicates sales and merchandising expectations to department teams through regular
  
  

visits, meetings and communications. Reviews and monitors in-store signing programs

• Visits all assigned stores on a regular basis. Coaches department managers regarding
  
  

excellence in execution. Monitors pricing, advertising, shrink, order-writing, stock rotation,

accounting procedures, product mix, inventories, safety, sanitation, grosses, employee

relations and sales-per-man-hour on a continuing basis. Provides technical assistance, training

and coaching to store management and department managers as necessary.

• Evaluates Shaws’ and competitors’ operations from a customer perspective. Routinely looks
  
  

for areas for improvement and innovative opportunities. Recommends/implements

aggressive plans to counteract loss of sales and profits. Communicates changes to division

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office staff and coordinates sales plans to maintain sales. Keeps abreast of new ideas and

innovations in the grocery industry.

Human Resources

• Responsible for consulting with store directors and department managers regarding human
  
  

resource management. To include: staffing, performance management, succession planning,

diversity, technical training, development, cross development, change management,

recognition and engagement.

• Works to enhance associate engagement. Demonstrates this by maintaining an open door
  
  

policy. Motivates and coaches department managers in effective supervision, management

skills and associate engagement.

• Works through district DOP trainers to insure that an adequate supply of trained department
  
  

managers are ready as required.

• Coaches department managers to utilize in-store training lead and skill programs to enhance
  
  

and maximize performance.

• Maintains good associate and customer relations. Handles customer and employee
  
  

complaints as necessary through oral or written communications.

Policies and Practices

• Sets and monitors standards, within prescribed Company and Division guidelines, regarding
  
  

quality, variety, and general appearance of products, store conditions and levels of customer

service. Supports and implements Company policies and procedures. Provides data to

Division and Corporate Management regarding the operation of stores within the assigned

area.

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with Company personnel, suppliers,
  
  

and the community in general. Insures retail stores operate within all federal, state and local

laws and maintain good working relationships with these agencies.

Implements Company and Division policies, procedures, and programs and monitors stores to

ensure compliance with established guidelines.

Relevant Experience, Education, Certification, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Assistant Store Directors and Department Managers with specialized knowledge of assigned
  
  

product lines with previous experience in merchandising or retail grocery operations required.

• Possess working knowledge of procurement procedures, economics, marketing, mathematics,
  
  

and accounting principles. Possess ability to analyze and interpret data from computer reports

and respond with the appropriate remedy.

• Ability to travel to all assigned locations on a daily basis
• Must possess good organizational and supervisory skills and be capable of managing large
  
  

numbers of employees effectively. Possess the ability to motivate and work with and through

others to achieve desired results.

• Must demonstrate strong competencies in communications; coaching; conflict resolution;
  
  

analysis; decision making; embracing change; risk taking; collaboration; leadership; and

leading without influence.

• Must possess general knowledge of IT applications, computer capabilities and prior
  
  

Experience With Personal Computer Applications Required.

• Possess good verbal, written and public speaking communications skills. Deal effectively with
  
  

a wide variety of people both in person and over the telephone. Must have the ability to

represent the company's interest to outside vendors.

Job Requirements

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• Requires analytical ability and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough
  
  

completion of work activities. Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent

interruptions.

Physical Environment

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled environment in the store.
• Incumbent may work on their feet and/or sit at a desk or computer terminal for long
  
  

periods of time.

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the
  
  

course of normal workday.

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties.
• Travel up to 90% of time to company units throughout the division.
• Position may require work during “non-traditional” hours including evenings and
  
  

weekends.

• Position may require some travel, including occasional overnight/weekend travel.
  
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the

employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws.

The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department

and/or location.