KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Good people, working with good people, for our common good.

Sound good?

KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

The Director of Fresh Growth Solutions is responsible for being a subject matter expert in market dynamics affecting the natural, organic, and specialty food industry across multiple retailers in the natural and grocery independent channel. The natural channel focus encompasses chains as well as independent natural stores across the US. By leveraging analytics and marketplace knowledge, this role is responsible for leading team members in helping KeHE customers increase sales and trade area relevance though assortment and merchandising. As with all positions at KeHE, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Essential Functions

• Lead a team of Managers that identify product trends for retailer partners by analyzing:
  • Category, attribute and marketplace trends
  • Consumer behavior shifts
  • Shopper purchase patterns
  • Market visits, trade shows, industry events
• Seek industry speaking engagements to provide thought leadership from an assortment and merchandising perspective to brands, retailers, brokers, and other industry professionals.
• Attend and present during senior leadership meetings, including but not limited to retailer top to top meetings, requests for proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Effectively present best in class PowerPoint presentations for existing and potential retailer partners showcasing category insights, hot trends, new and emerging items, and merchandising concepts.
• Lead cross-functional projects and meetings with Category Management, Marketing, Sales and Sales Enablement teams.
• Curate consumer, demographic, syndicated, and internal data to create optimum, innovative, and actionable assortment and merchandising solutions.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key retailers based on trust, marketplace knowledge, and results.
• Report out on team member’s ROI reporting metrics, such as implementation rate at retail, product success rates, and sales growth in retailer partners.
• Apply and lead others to apply analytical and strategic thinking skills to develop category assortment strategies that are aligned to the business objectives and responsive to the internal and external environment.
• Support training and development of Category Management and Growth Solutions team members.
• Maintain safeguards of confidential company information.

Experience Required

• 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field of study.
• Minimum of five years prior experience in food industry analytics (retailer, supplier, distributor or data provider).
• Knowledge in market dynamics, industry shifts, and retailer landscapes is mandatory.
• Experience in mass and conventional channel merchandising and assortment analysis preferred.
• Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of projects simultaneously and often with time conflicting pressures.
• Ability to multi-task in a very fast-paced business environment
• Natural, specialty and/or fresh product knowledge with ability to recognize brands and trends
• Project management, attention to detail, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated thought leadership and creativity skills
• Strong understanding of merchandising tactics and strategies
• Demonstrated strength in oral and written communication skills
• Willingness to take initiative on projects with minimal supervision
• Proficiency with SPINS, Circana, CSIA, ShopperSights, Mintel software.
• Proficiency with MS Office, primarily Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with visualization tools, such as PowerBI, a plus.
• Willingness to travel (20-30%).