Merchandise and Space Planner

Position Title: Merchandise and Space Planner

Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Chief Merchandising Officer 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full Time/ M-F

Who We Are:

Mid-States Distributing ("Mid-States") is the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Cooperative. Our company is owned by 31 independent Farm, Ranch & Home retailers (“Members”) who operate over 800 stores in 36 states and 9 Canadian provinces with combined annual sales in excess of 7.5 billion dollars.  Our member/owners retail items such as agriculture parts & supplies, petroleum products, hardware & tools, pet food, lawn & garden, animal health supplies, apparel & footwear, sporting goods, and various other products for the Farm, Ranch, and Home.

We are looking for competitive people who like to win big and have fun doing it.  We place a tremendous amount of emphasis on creating a unique and positive company culture.  Most of our employees will tell you this is the best place they’ve ever worked.  We value high-energy people who like to work hard and play hard.  Our consumers are primarily rural people raising “kids, pets, cows, and crops” so traditional values like God, family, and patriotism are important virtues around here.  So, if you are enthusiastic and competitive, have a great attitude, have good communication skills, build relationships, love to win, and like ice cream – Mid-States is the place for you!  If you are not, please apply with our competitors! 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This role requires prior experience or knowledge in space management tools such as JDA/Blue Yonder, as you’ll be optimizing in-store product placement for our long-standing members and creating impactful Planograms (POGs). This hybrid role has both on-site and remote opportunities. The individual will need to attend meetings on-site along with POG reviews.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage retail space planning and merchandising for assigned categories, providing insights and recommendations based on financial data to optimize store layouts and drive sales utilizing software.
• Develop and maintain planograms (POGs) that meet both client and retailer standards while expanding brand visibility through performance-based adjustments.
• Create and present client-specific reports to track performance against merchandising objectives and key strategies.
• Lead meetings with Commercialization team to align on project goals, timelines, and merchandising initiatives.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of data across reports and deliverables by collaborating with Commercialization team and external data vendors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of related experience required, preferably with space management software such as (JDA/Blue Yonder), or Spaceman.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows applications.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, but equivalent work experience may substitute.
• Excellent ability to clearly convey information and collaborate with internal teams and clients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean environment.  The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping and significant fine finger dexterity.

TRAVEL:
Some travel involved  

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activiti