(Grocery) Retail Execution & Merchandising Specialist

Description

The Retail Execution & Merchandising Specialist supports GBC Food Services’ retail programs inside host location clients (primarily grocery stores) by owning day-to-day execution workstreams that keep merchandising, item setup, planograms (POGs), and reporting moving on time and accurately. This role is a “mini Program Director” support position—built for someone with grocery (especially produce category) experience who can manage details, drive follow-ups, and communicate confidently with internal teams, franchisees, and host location stakeholders as we expand into additional retailers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None (may lead workstreams and coordinate cross-functional execution without direct reports).

Key Responsibilities

• Retail execution & merchandising support
• Manage retailer and internal execution checklists for merchandising activities (resets, updates, seasonal transitions, signage/labeling needs, compliance tasks).
• Break down POGs into clear action steps for internal teams and franchise partners (what changes, what stays, timing, required materials).
• Coordinate merchandising timelines and deliverables with host location stakeholders, franchisees, and GBC field/operations support.
• New item setup & item data readiness
• Own new item setup processes (collect attributes, UPCs, pack sizes, nutrition/ingredients, pricing inputs, imagery, and required retailer fields).
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure item data is accurate and submitted on-time to support launches, resets, and replenishment readiness.
• Maintain trackers for item status, approvals, and launch milestones.
• Product/R&D coordination (Supreme program support)
• Coordinate R&D support activities for the Supreme program (samples, feedback capture, iteration tracking, documentation, and approval routing).
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure product updates are communicated clearly and reflected in execution materials (SOPs, merchandising guidance, reporting).
• Client + team communications (daily cadence ownership)
• Draft and manage ongoing communications with host location clients and stakeholders (status updates, issue summaries, action confirmations, follow-ups).
• Support daily communication rhythms with the internal team (updates, action logs, meeting notes, recap emails, escalation routing).
• Maintain issue/decision logs so commitments, owners, and deadlines are clear.
• Reporting & follow-through
• Build and distribute recurring reports (retailer updates, execution status, launch/POG progress, open issues, follow-up lists).
• Track and drive closure on outstanding action items across internal and external stakeholders.
• Field/host location support (as needed)
• Coordinate logistics for store/host location visits tied to merchandising execution, launches, or operational troubleshooting.
• Travel periodically (sometimes with variable notice) to support execution needs and ensure programs launch and operate successfully.
• Food safety & operational alignment
• Support alignment of retail execution with food safety and operational standards for prepared foods kiosk environments (labeling, documentation, training materials, compliance tracking).
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality when handling client information and internal materials.

Competencies

• Grocery retail fluency, especially produce category standards and store operating rhythms
• Strong project/task coordination and follow-through
• Clear, professional communication (written + verbal)
• High attention to detail (item setup, documentation, trackers, reporting)
• Ability to influence without authority and keep stakeholders aligned
• Adaptability in fast-moving retailer environments

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Excel for trackers/reporting, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to interpret and translate planograms/POGs into actionable steps
• Comfort working across multiple stakeholders (clients, franchisees, internal teams)
• Strong organization across multiple simultaneous workstreams and deadlines
• Experience working with item setup/master data concepts (preferred)

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3+ years experience in grocery retail execution, merchandising, category support, or retail program coordination (produce category experience strongly preferred)
• Experience supporting retailer rollouts/resets, planograms, and cross-functional execution preferred<