Retail Development Manager - FL & NC

Job description

Position Summary

The Retail Development Manager (RDM) reports to the Retail Operations Manager (ROM). The primary purpose of the Retail Development Manager position is to execute brand strategies and merchandising activities by working collaboratively with assigned Customer Business Teams (CBT) including Region Sales Mangers to drive profitable growth through flawless retail execution to include but not exclusive of on shelf availability (OSA), in-store visibility (ISV), POG and merchandising support focused on 4 P's. The RDM has the responsibility to direct the ASM-DRT team to complete the execution of the Unilever Business Teams plans.

Define, Execute, Measure, Learn and Improve.

Additionally, interaction with cross-functional teams is required. The cross-functional team consists of ASM ROM's and Supervisors along with Unilever Customer Business Teams, Brand and other resources.

Efficient and effective communication, management and analytical skill sets are mandatory to ensure successful execution of Unilever objectives.

Position Responsibilities

The RDM is responsible for ensuring successful execution of Perfect Store 4P's through the collaborative planning with Customer Business Teams.
1. Product – Improve “on shelf availability” (OSA) of core skus.
2. Pack – Ensure speed to shelf on approved innovation.
3. Placement – Compliance on POG and share of shelf negotiated by the customer teams.
4. Promotion – Gain support on featured and displayed programs (location, signage, quality)

The RDM is responsible for having a:
• Consumer and Customer Focus – Must be able to bring the brands voice and proposition to life in store by working with customer business teams to develop strong ISV plans. The RDM must be externally focused on the changing needs of the customer and consumer in his markets.
• Bias for Action – Action – while managing the information from Tableau and other data points the RDM must be action oriented and be able to drive the retail team forward with strong communication
• Building Talent and Teams – the RDM must work with our 3rd party to get the most out of the people in the field, the RDM must be able to manage a large team from 3r party to multi Unilever processes
• Accountability and Responsibility – Must establish clear expectations, measuring the results and holding people accountable through the use of all available data points (tableau, ASM HH)

The RDM is responsible for DEFINING category and retailer strategies based on collaborative planning processes of Perfect Store with Customer Business Teams and communicating direction to the DRT through RPM's and One Pagers.

The RDM is responsible for EXECUTING the 4 P's based on the collaborative planning process and through direction and communication to the DRT.

The RDM is responsible for MEASURING the results and providing analytics to improve future execution. Support for measurement is driven through monthly scorecard, syndicated data, local market information, PPC, Tableau. Analyzing the data and using the new technology are a top priority to this position, as it will allow Unilever the opportunity to deploy resources more efficiently.

The RDM is responsible for continuous LEARNING AND IMPROVING of retail execution and retailer programming.

The RDM is responsible for the effective management of assigned territories and accounts within specific geographies including DRT, Surge and Syndicated related activities. This would also include the “spill in and spill out of accounts”.

Challenges

The RDM will be challenged with effective means of communication, goal setting, tracking, measuring and analyzing results to determine success or next steps needed to gain results through the 3rd party.

The RDM role will require very strong analytical skills and technological savvy. The RDM should excel technically, to include superior knowledge and application of standard software packages to include Syndicated Services, Tableau, Office, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.

The RDM will need to balance individual CBT needs, while ensuring total Market Integrity. The need to define, execute, measure, learn and improve retail on an account by account and market by market level will be the underlying base upon which the RDM will be expected to develop business opportunities through collaborative interaction with the CBTs.

The RDM is challenged with the need to routinely interface with multiple internal and external departments/personnel and multiple business teams, regional managers and team leaders.

The RDM is challenged with the management of dispersed business personnel which creates complexity and time management requirements. The need to maintain strong personal management disciplines due to the balancing of an extensive travel schedule while also maintaining a strong local team and broker management exposure through team communication and meetings. Time management will be a key to success in the RDM role.

In addition to managing 3rd party resources, the RDM will also have the challenges of not only understanding ASM's policies, processes and procedures but will also be required to effectively manage through these differences to achieve Unilever goals and objectives.

Key Interfaces: Collaborative interface with CBT and management of 3rd party retail execution. Total work team consists of +800 sales reps, +65 managerial positions for 3rd party not including military or surge team. Budget responsibility is limited but 4 P's execution is paramount.

The RDM will be responsible for the flawless execution of the Perfect Store Process in the accounts and geography they are assigned.

The RDM will be expected to be fully operational with the following systems:
• ASM reporting systems
• Available Unilever reporting systems including syndicated data, OSA, Tableau, and Monthly Scorecards

Key Requirements:

· 4 Year College Degree
· 3-5 years consumer products sales, retail experience, customer knowledge and 3rd party management experience
· Excel technically, to include superior knowledge and application of standard software packages to include Syndicated Services, Tableau, MS Office, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
· The candidate must be able to travel extensively (minimum 60%).


Key Skills:

Customer Management and Selling Essentials
Leverages Unilever information, and technology to make optimum business decisions with Unilever's Customers, Channels, and 3rd Party Selling Partners. Consistently applies project management, structured selling and negotiation techniques to achieve the Customer Business Plan.
Point of Purchase Execution and Monitoring .
Prepares a project plan for the effective implementation of in-store elements of the Customer Business Plan. Engages Unilever and Customer teams involved in the in-store implementation process. Leads Unilever teams to effectively implement Unilever plans and projects that are visible to consumers and shoppers.

Third Party Management .
The attraction, selection and management of third parties to distribute, sell, promote, and
Merchandise Unilever products for the achievement of mutual business return.

Developing the CD Infrastructure & Organization
The structuring and management of the CD organization to create develop and maximize customer opportunities according to Unilever business objectives. The definition of the skill sets, special characteristics and rewards relevant to individuals and teams in customer management. For the Distributor / Broker Management roles, this Skill is relevant in managing their 3rd party organizations to meet Unilever objectives.

Competencies & Abilities

Supervisory Strong and proven understanding of working with third party organizations and coordinating solution related activities.
Problem Solving Must have the ability to tackle complex situations, evaluate alternatives, and make timely and effective decisions. Develop courses of action, and provide fact based solutions/recommendations.
Communications Must be skilled in verbal and written communications. Must be able to
Effectively relate with multiple levels of management, both internally and with our third party organization.
Leadership Should possess strong leadership qualities externally with a positive attitude at a high energy level and possess a growth mentality.
Team Commitment Should be able to work effectively, and in a highly collaborative manner.
Must be a team player in sharing all challenges, opportunities and successes through a strong supporting role

Unilever offers a competitive compensation package which includes: Medical & Dental Plans, Life Insurance, including eligible spouses, domestic partners & children; Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, Retirement & Savings Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Please note: as part of the job application, you will be asked to complete pre-screening questions. Completion of the pre-screening questions are mandatory in order to be considered. Please allow yourself plenty of time to complete both the application and pre-screening questions. If the pre-screening questions are partially answered or not at all, it will adversely affect the progress of your application. Please be aware that you will have to complete the pre-screening questions at once as you will be unable to return to it later.

Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination under Federal law. For more information, please see EEO is the Law

Employment is subject to verification of pre-employment drug-screening results and background investigation.