Director of Merchandising - Center Store

The Coborn's' team is hiring a new Director of Merchandising - Center Store!This is a high-impact leadership role for a merchandising professional who wants true ownership, the ability to shape strategy, and the opportunity to build and develop a strong category management teamwithin a growing, multi-banner regional grocery organization.

If you are energized by balancing strategy with hands-on execution, enjoy partnering across the business, and want to see your ideas move from concept to shelf, this role offers visibility, influence, and meaningful impact.

Position Location: This position is an in-office position, 4 days (M-T) with the ability to work remotely on Friday; occasional travel to stores and vendor meetings.

What Will I Do in this Role?

• Lead, coach, and developa team of Center Store Category Managers and Merchandising Analysts, strengthening talent, engagement, and succession
• Set and execute Center Store merchandising strategiesthat drive sales growth, margin performance, and inventory productivity
• Personally own assigned categories, with full accountability for financial, promotional, and assortment results
• Lead supplier negotiations and joint business planningwith key CPG partners to deliver mutual growth
• Oversee pricing and promotional strategy, balancing competitiveness, profitability, and execution discipline
• Partner with Space Managementto guide planogram strategy, shelf presentation, and space optimization
• Collaborate cross-functionallywith Supply Chain, Store Operations, Marketing, and eCommerce to improve forecasting accuracy, in-stock performance, and item lifecycle management
• Ensure eCommerce assortment alignmentwith in-store merchandising strategies for a seamless guest experience
• Leverage data and insightsto guide fact-based decisions and continuous improvement
• Support new store openings, remodels, and major merchandising initiatives, ensuring strong execution and consistency

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressive grocery-retail merchandising or category management experience
• At least 3 years of leadership experience
• Proven track record driving category sales and margin performance
• Extensive vendor negotiation expertise
• Strong analytical, financial, communication, and presentation skills

What's In It For Me?

As an employee-owned company, we believe in investing in our people and their futures. We're proud to offer a variety of benefits which include:

• Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) - yes, we're employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
• 401(k) plan options - we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
• 10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company-owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert's, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
• Get Paid Daily with DailyPay - for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
• Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
• Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards, including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
• Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources - to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
• Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance, entertainment and more!
• Tools, resources, and opportunities for career growth and development
• Education benefits, including tuition discount and scholarship programs
• Additional Voluntary Benefits - such as vision, accident, and critical illness insurances

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressive grocery-retail merchandising or category management experience
• At least 3 years of leadership experience
• Proven track record driving category sales and margin performance
• Extensive vendor negotiation expertise
• Strong analytical, financial, communication, and presentation skills

We believe that building a team of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and perspectives inspires fresh thinking and opens us up to new possibilities. We are an EEO/AA Employer - All qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Are you friendly, dependable, and passionate about working with people? At Coborn's, Inc., we love serving our guests, supporting our communities, and helping our team members grow their careers. If you're looking for a place where you can build a future while making a positive impact every day, we'd love to talk to you about joining our team!

Coborn's, Inc. is a fast-growing, employee-owned grocery retailer proudly serving communities across the Midwest. Our family of grocery stores includes Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher's, Tadych's Marketplace Foods, Sullivan's Foods, and Kessler's. We offer our guests an elevated shopping experience-both in-store and online-focused on freshness, value, and convenience. Guided by our company vision to inspire happiness, healthy living, and simplicity, this principle has fueled our growth for more than 100 years and is at the heart of everything we do.

Coborn's, Inc. also owns and operates liquor stores under the Coborn's Liquor, Cash Wise Liquor, Andy's Liquor, and Captain Jack's brands. In addition, we operate fuel kiosks and convenience store locations under the Little Dukes and Coborn's Express names. Many of our grocery stores also feature full-service pharmacies to support the health and wellness of our guests. We manage a variety of other retail businesses in markets where the fit is right, including Ace Hardware, Country Floral Gifts & Greenhouse, Caribou Coffee, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert's, Godfather's Pizza, and Pet Supplies Plus. To support our diverse retail operations, we operate our own central bakery, fresh foods commissary, and grocery warehouse and distribution center.