Manager Strategic Initiatives

At Food Lion, Associates are the most important assets to our organization. We want associates to have meaningful careers full of variety and challenges. Each associate contributes to the overall success of Food Lion, and in return, we strive to provide all associates with a fulfilling work experience and reward performance and commitment. We are committed to the professional development of our associates through on-the-job learning opportunities and training.

Position Summary

The Strategic Initiatives Manager delivers sustainable growth in sales profits, people and ensures consistent execution of initiatives across a Division. Responsibilities include delivering on the Food Lion Brand Strategy by implementing the banner strategic initiatives and analyzing operational results to discover and capitalize on opportunities for improvement including ensuring Food Safety and Regulatory measures are met. **** This person would need to be able to sit in the Richmond/Norfolk Virginia division or able to relocate to the area. This role requires travel.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

•    Responsible for implementation, planning and rollout of banner initiatives/banner tests/pilot programs as defined annually to include operationalizing and refinement within assigned Division (~176 stores). 

•    Accountable for delivery of Divisional KPI’s for banner initiatives and trend analysis as well as troubleshooting areas of opportunity for feedback and follow up.

•    Collaborates with Director of Execution and Implementation and Director of Operations to prioritize opportunities within the Division/Region with a focus on banner initiatives. 

•    Responsible for communication and training of all regional resources. Serves as the subject matter expert for training on new banner initiatives in collaboration with merchandising leads and retail operations.

•    Manage an effective feedback loop between retail and all business partners on the effectiveness and execution of banner initiatives.

•    Ensures that banner initiatives are aligned with current retail standard practices and training and partners with the Standard Practice team to create standard practice guidelines for all banner initiatives.

•    Knowledgeable regarding Divisional competitive landscape and market and reports significant findings, including competitive openings and closing to Food Lion Strategy team.

Basic Qualifications 

•    Merchandising, Retail Operations and/or Category experience
•    Thorough understanding of Standard Practices and Merchandising techniques
•    Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Excel and Power Point)
•    Cross-functional leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams
•    Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence others 
•    Must live within their respective division

Preferred Qualifications 

•    Extensive knowledge of Fresh or Center Store categories. 
•    Experience with organizational change management
•    2+ years of multiple retail location responsibility

Education

•    Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage day to day activity in support of identified business area and functional area strategies


• Demonstrated ability to implement and analyze retail business using consumer insights and analyzing trends.


• Active listener with an ability to build trust across varying levels of the organization


• High degree of credibility and the ability to work with and through all levels of management


• Excellent organizational, planning, influence, communication and presentation skills


• Self-motivated and persuasive in presenting and selling ideas and executing their implementation

Physical

• Ability to lift, push, or pull 50lbs

Travel

• 100%, with 50-75% overnight depending on Divisional geography

Food Lion provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions) national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you have a disability and require assistance in the application process, please contact our Recruiting Department at [email protected]