Merchandising Planner

Req ID: 433006 

BASIC PURPOSE: The purpose of this position is to support and manage in-store Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Beverage categories for the Food Service team. This position would also support Fresh Kitchen initiatives, such as new program rollouts, from an analytic perspective and category support.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead training and category projects for Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Beverage
• Responsible for identifying opportunities to increase margin and manage regular reporting for these categories.
  • Provide weekly updates to team on reporting improvements and opportunities.
• Liaison with Manthan team and Pricebook for these categories.
  • Reclassification/Organization of categories to allow for efficiencies and speed of service.
• VendorLink Management for Fresh Kitchen/Dispensed
  • By Store
  • Management of Incoming Products
  • Management of Outgoing Products
  • Promotions approval and setup with Pricebook team
• Quasar: Incoming Products & Outgoing Products
• Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Marketing Projects management
• Fresh Kitchen and Dispensed Training Projects management
• Participate in and support company-wide initiatives—such as major food concept rollouts, LTOs, promotional opportunities and maximization of gross profit dollars for Fresh Kitchen/Dispensed categories.
• Other duties as assigned.

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience:
  • Previous experience in retail analytics and vendor management (3+ years).
  • Preferred experience in food or restaurant industry.
  • Experience managing a project from start to finish.
  • Excellent customer service and active listening skills
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills
  • Demonstrated experience working well in a close team environment, that is very fast-paced and relies on constant collaboration.
  • Possess a demonstrated ability to determine when to refer issues versus handle them personally

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Skills:
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Strong Project Management skills
  • Good oral and verbal communications skills
  • Team player
  • Keen attention to detail
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Ability to work well with team and other departments
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Scheduling flexibility
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, we’ve provided customers with highway hospitality and “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” We’re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets
• Speedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialists
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert