Assistant Sales Manager Trainee

Position Purpose:

Support categories to increase sales, total gross dollars, and market share versus prior year and to meet or exceed projected numbers. Creates and implements pricing, promotion, assortment, and shelf planograms for each assigned category, based on detailed analysis of past performance and results, industry best practices, and consumer trends. The Asst. Sales Manager Trainee partners with corporate merchants to maximize category performance and vendor relationships.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Creates yearly category business plan based on detailed analysis of previous results and market trends.

- Meets or exceeds projected sales and profit contribution.

- Creates a detailed pricing strategy by zone by category and maintains approach throughout the year.

- Creates and implements a promotional calendar by major category, which supports market merchandising strategy. Tracks results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit and share growth or contribution.

- Designs schematics and recommends adjacencies that support the role of the category.

- Determines appropriate product assortment based on the category strategies. Authorizes new items entering the market and discontinue lines based on potential contribution to the category and department.

- Maintains weekly, quarterly, and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars and share of each category.

- Measures total contribution to the entire department.

- Manages and maximizes categories to achieve most efficient use of vendor dollars.

- Creates sales and gross profit projections at the category level, rolling up to department and regional projections quarterly and yearly.

- Conducts in depth post-promotional analysis at the item and category level.

- Plans ads and displays in support of the category plans and total department initiatives.

- Coordinates and communicates between stores, merchandising and other departments in the region.

- Acts as contact within Seattle Market for all vendors in categories assigned.

- Meets with vendors for deal negotiation and business updates.

- Works with procurement function. Communicate category and promotional plans to ensure desired service levels and optimum inventory position achieved.

- Attends key vendor planning meetings.

- Works in conjunction with others in department, across the region, and with corporate merchandising to facilitate implementation of programs.

- Visits stores as necessary to observe results of merchandising programs.

- Supports and implements Corporate initiatives when appropriate for region.

- Initiate and follow through on personnel actions such as: interviewing and providing input used in hiring decisions, providing input and/or conducting performance reviews.

Qualifications: The following are preferred :

Education Level:

- Retail Management Certificate preferred, but not required.

- Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field preferred, but not required.

- 15 total years’ experience in grocery industry preferred, but not required.

- 5 yrs. experience managing people.

- Experience managing associates.

Experience Level:

- Previous store operations experience or similar experience where a strong understanding of operations and merchandising approaches has been gained.

Skills and Experiences:

- Good understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices, P&L, and financial management.

- Strong financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results.

- Good analytical and problem-solving skills and experienced in taking initiative and making decisive yet appropriate decisions.

- Strong planning and organizing skills.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside the company.

- Strategy development skills

- Relationship management skills

- Demonstrated effective leadership skills and abilities.

- Understanding of inventory management.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

- Work may be performed in a temperature-controlled environment.

- Must sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time.

- May spend long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.

- May use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment during normal workday.

- Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties.

- Workday is fast paced; some evening and weekend work may be required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Dependent upon geography

The pay range is $92,000 to $105,000 per year. Starting rates will vary based on things like location, experience, qualifications and the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Dependent on length of service, hours worked and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, sick pay (accrued based on hours worked), PTO/Vacation pay (accrued based on hours worked), paid holidays (between 7-9 days annually), bereavement pay, and retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility).

Closing Date: October 5, 2026

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. The Company is committed to complying with all local, state, and federal regulations.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER