Director, Operational Merchandising at Sysco

JOB SUMMARY:The Director of Operational Merchandising is responsible for supporting the implementation of merchandising initiatives and driving the development of standard best practices designed to improve operational merchandising. This role is responsible for the cross-functional coordination of all activities related to improving efficiencies and accomplishing defined business goals. He/She will work closely with Merchandising leadership at Corporate, Market, and Operating Companies levels. They will also collaborate with leadership/associates from other functional teams or external partners to develop and standardize the tools, processes, and solutions aligned with the key operating initiatives.RESPONSIBILITIES: Including but not be limited to: Collaborate with all center-led and field teams, Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, Business Technology, Finance, HR and other teams to develop field-ready tools, policies, routines, procedures, playbooks, training, and other capabilities required Lead the development of overall processes to ensure standardization and compliance across all tools, resources, technology Work cross-functionally as an enabler of center strategy, field execution, and other functions Lead the development of field-ready playbooks, operating guidelines, and policies Serve as the business owner for all technology development with Business Technology Oversee the development of standardized reporting for key processes and routines Balance field input and creativity with the need for sustainable business process Contribute to the achievement of financial and non-financial goals and objectives set forth by leadership Creates and fosters high-performance culture, focused on engagement, accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement with a customer focus. QUALIFICATIONSEducationBachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions required.Experience8+ years of management/professional experience required. Significant category management, merchandising and/or operations experience within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment preferredExperience in sales, planning marketing strategies, and successful public relation effortsPersonal Characteristics:Experience in working with and developing field-ready technology, tools, routines, playbooks, and standardized business approachesProficiency in leading complex initiatives that include the cross-functional team leadership in the development of tools and technologyKnowledge and experience in how OPCO go to market across Sales, Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, and HRA wide range and understanding of the foodservice distribution and food industry including the competitive environment, customers, GPOs, leading industry issues, and key industry challengesAbility to effectively lead and manage complex projectsDemonstrates well-developed influencing skills with the ability to easily connect in a credible manner with field and headquarter leadership teamsPossesses an understanding and demonstrated capability for strategy, processes, capabilities, enabling technologies, and measurementExceptional communication skills and the ability to communicate appropriately at all levels of the organization; this includes written and verbal communications as well as visualizationsAble to drive consensus among key stakeholders with diverse needs and interestsThinks and acts proactively rather than reactively and directs resources and stakeholders accordinglyAble to lead and manage a remote team with diverse knowledge, skills and abilities forward to achieve common goals and objectivesProfessional Skills:Critical thinking and problem solvingWorking experience in SUS, SAPWorking experience in Sysco field operationsQualitative and quantitative analysisMethodical and organizedProgram/Project ManagementFluent in Microsoft Office Suite of ApplicationsPrevious implementation skills considered a plusComfortable with ambiguity and willingness to make decisionsStrong communicator, written and verbalPhysical 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.Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.NOTICE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and the level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his or her supervisor.