Director of Center Store (59609)

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Corporate 901 - Oklahoma City, OK 73105Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeJob Shift: OpenThe Director of Center Store is responsible for the full financial and operational performance of all center store categories, including Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, HBC, Alcoholic Beverages, DSD, General Merchandise, and Fuel.

This role owns the center store P&L, with accountability for sales growth, gross margin, EBITDA contribution, inventory productivity, and cost of goods optimization. The Director leads merchandising strategy, vendor negotiations, pricing architecture, and inventory management while ensuring disciplined execution across all store locations.

This position plays a critical leadership role in driving profitability, navigating organizational change, and aligning merchandising strategy with company financial objectives and ensuring exceptional customer experience across all center store categories.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Ownership & Performance


Own and manage the center store P&L, including sales, gross margin, and EBITDA contribution 
Develop and execute annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans in partnership with Finance 
Monitor and report on performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions 
Drive improvement in key metrics including sales growth, gross margin expansion, inventory turns, shrink reduction, and promotional ROI 


Merchandising Strategy & Execution


Develop and execute category strategies, assortment plans, pricing architecture, and promotional programs 
Ensure alignment of merchandising strategy with customer insights, market trends, and competitive positioning 
Lead private label strategy and penetration growth 
Oversee ad planning, promotional effectiveness, and pricing competitiveness 


Vendor Strategy & Cost Optimization


Lead vendor negotiations, including cost of goods, trade funding, promotional support, and contract terms 
Drive a lowest cost of goods mindset while balancing quality, assortment, and customer value 
Optimize trade spend and vendor income opportunities 
Maintain strategic relationships with wholesale, DSD, and direct suppliers 


Inventory, Supply Chain & Operational Effectiveness


Oversee inventory strategy, ensuring optimal service levels, turns, and in-stock performance 
Partner with Supply Chain and Transportation to optimize freight flow, distribution efficiency, and replenishment 
Influence enterprise strategies related to cross-dock, space capacity, and inventory flow 
Minimize shrink and excess inventory while maintaining strong availability 


Store Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership


Partner with Store Operations to ensure consistent execution of merchandising programs 
Support store teams in resolving inventory and merchandising challenges 
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and margin planning 
Collaborate with HR on labor model alignment and organizational design 
Ensure merchandising strategies are practical, executable, and aligned with store realities 


Leadership & Team Development


Lead, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing merchandising team, including category management, pricing, and inventory functions 
Establish clear performance expectations tied to financial and operational results 
Build leadership capability and succession pipeline within the team 
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement 


Change Management & Transformation


Lead merchandising strategy through periods of organizational change 
Identify and execute cost containment and margin improvement initiatives 
Drive adoption of new processes, systems, and operating models 
Challenge legacy practices and implement more efficient, scalable solutions 


Compliance & Risk Management


Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including alcohol sales where applicable 
Ensure compliance with pricing and labeling standards 
Operate within collective bargaining agreements where applicable 
Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks 


Scope & Impact


Supports a multi-location retail operation 
Operates in both union and non-union environments 
Direct and indirect leadership of merchandising, pricing, and inventory functions 
Significant impact on company profitability, working capital, and customer experience 

Education & Experience


Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or related field (MBA preferred) or equivalent experience 
8–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in grocery retail, merchandising, or category management 
Proven track record of owning financial performance and driving margin improvement 
Experience in multi-unit retail environments with operational complexity