General Merchandise Specialist

In your role as the General Merchandise Specialist at The North West Company (NWC), you will achieve divisional General Merchandise financial performance targets while ensuring the consistent execution of operating standards and programs. You are responsible for providing divisional and community specific operating insights to home office business stakeholders that lead to sales growth and productivity gains. You will plan, direct and execute the GM Categories' selling programs within the division. In addition to developing, planning, and implementing selling strategies that deliver superior growth and increased customer affinity; you will also coach and train store teams on the execution of related GM Categories programs and key initiatives.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions : Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role :

• Direct and monitor the delivery of selling and merchandising programs in the General Merchandise categories;
• Develop and provide analysis of category, department, business unit and item level data including sales, sell-thru, inventory turns, shrink and gross margin data;
• Act as a focal point and conduit for senior management, category managers and marketing staff in the communication of feedback on initiatives, promotions, and selling opportunities;
• With the Training and Development team, deliver training programs and support and initiate development of training material and standard operating procedures (SOP’s) that deliver operational excellence, enhance the customer value offer, reduce shrink and increase productivity;
• Develop detailed competitor and market knowledge and insights that lead to superior execution of sales and profit growth opportunities related to : Products and assortments Seasonal programs Store layout and product flow Inventory and sales budgeting and planning Truckload and event selling opportunities
• Travel to markets 90 to days per year to assess performance, train and coach staff, and perform audits to ensure the delivery and superior execution of merchandising programs, in-stock performance, shrink management, operating standards, promotional programs, inventory management practices and pricing policies.

Desired Skills & Experience :

Location : Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports to : Director Operations Support & Communication

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by :

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to : all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For Internal Applicants Only :

Salary Grade : COR

NOTE : Prior to applying, an internal employee  MUST  obtain a written endorsement email from their current Manager or Manager – once – removed and provide this to the recruitment team  before  they can be considered for opportunities. This position adheres to the Corporate Job Posting Guidelines