Space Planning Manager

If you're someone who has a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives, join us as we work to be a trusted resource in our communities, offering real people, real food at real affordable prices across the Midwest. If you are ready to immerse yourself in an environment, that helps shoppers naturally, intuitively, and enjoyably find real, honest, affordable goodness to meet them wherever they are on their wellness journey, we'd like to hear from you. Join us to begin YOUR journey and be a part of the Fresh Thyme Market Team!

Fresh Thyme Rewards

• Weekly pay

• Scheduling flexibility

• Paid parental leave

• Team member discount

• Career growth opportunities

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with Category Managers to implement business strategies within the merchandising organization.
• Coordinate team resources to consistently execute business plan in accordance with timeline and budget.
• Manage training and implementation of Space Planning tools to increase space productivity.
• Collaborate with stores and merchants to distribute floor information and decide future recommendations for space optimization; responsible for collaborating across teams and departments to drive the right holistic space strategy.
• Utilize business analytics, space analytics and consumer data to help drive business decisions.
• Identify opportunities to develop new tools and processes to improve service to merchants and stores.
• Develop and implement Merchandise Presentation guidelines to support maximum fixture capacity and shop ability.
• Lead and drive standards, accuracy and consistency across all areas and stores.
• Partner with Merchandising to streamline communication to stores.
• Verify item dimensions for new sets to ensure product will fit within the assigned structure.
• Designs schematics and recommends adjacencies that support the role of the category.
• Supports stores with special shelf and display decisions.
• Works closely with procurement function; Communicates category and promotional/ad plans to ensure desired service levels and optimum inventory position is achieved.
• Works in conjunction with operations and other departments across the company to facilitate implementation of programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent Grocery industry experience required.
• Must have a minimum of 6 years professional experience of which at least 4 years is in space planning or schematics.
• Must have prior experience utilizing space planning software such as Blue Yonder.
• Preferred 3+ years prior supervisory or management experience leading a team.
• Preferred 5-7 years grocery retail experience in Natural Foods processes and procedures.
• Previous experience in a natural foods industry is a plus. Grocery category product knowledge preferred.
• Financial, mathematical, statistical and consumer research experience preferred to read, interpret and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must maintain the highest level of customer service at all times.
• Ability to adapt to the ever-changing high volume retail while working in a cross-functional team environment.
• Must have the capacity to take initiative for making appropriate decisions and have strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Flexibility to adapt in a variety of situations.
• Must have advanced attention to detail with the capability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written communication and documentation skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for maintaining effective business relationships with peers, senior management, customers, and vendors.
• Must have advanced knowledge with MS Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to multitask and have excellent organizational skills is essential.
• Must be able to lead, support and contribute to team goals.
• Ability to work varied hours/days as business dictates.
• Must be familiar with Health Department guidelines and regulations as they pertain to a grocery retail environment.
• Familiarity with Category Business Planning with an understanding of marketing and merchandising practices.
• Possesses the ability to read and interpret profit and loss statements and understand how the categories managed are affected.
• Has excellent people skills for training and communicating with customers and stores; requires a high level of patience.

At Fresh Thyme, our team members Thrive. We offer competitive compensation, incentive programs, and recognition programs that allows our most successful team members to be rewarded for their passion, dedication, and the results they consistently drive. Therefore, we are committed to offering competitive pay that reflects market standards and ensures consistency within our organization.

The pay range for this position is listed below. The actual rate offered will meet or surpass the legal wage requirement for the job's location.

This pay range represents the minimum and maximum base pay for the position, which is determined by factors such as market data, the qualifications required, the level of responsibilities associated with the role and other roles at this same level. Specific pay rates will be within this range and based on your experience, qualifications, and skills compared to the internal team of this role.

Compensation for this position also includes incentive bonus opportunities that may vary based on individual and company performance. Specific details will be discussed during the hiring process.

Our team members Thrive because we are committed to the whole person. Not only do we offer a comprehensive benefits package for our full-time team members that includes medical, dental, and life insurance, but we also offer a variety of programs designed to support our part-time members as well. ALL Fresh Thyme team members enjoy paid parental leave, our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, and our 401(k) plan with an employer match. We are dedicated to creating a work environment that promotes work-life balance, long-term health and financial security, and continuous professional development. Come Thrive with us!