Specialist Fresh & Center Store Project Lead

Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine way back in 1883, and is still connected to those early roots as a local market. Hannaford actively seeks out farmers and producers to join our Local program which celebrates not only local foods, but the preservation of farmland, local traditions and local jobs. The connection we have to the source of our fresh foods is core to the way we do business, becoming the first major supermarket in the United States to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested.

Home Office based positions:

Hannaford offers a flexible work environment, with a hybrid work expectation for Home Office based positions of being physically present in the Scarborough Home Office 3 days a week. This expectation serves to nourish our culture, showcase care through flexibility, and strengthen our partnerships.

Position Summary:

Serve as the Fresh and Center Store Operations advocate with Retail, Home Office, and cross banner business partners to ensure Fresh and Center Store and company strategies are supported. Be the subject matter expert for Fresh and Center Store Operations that leads projects and initiatives that support the strategy for Fresh and Center Store Departments. Projects to include service, financial, and operational priorities. Leads the development, user acceptance testing (UAT), and implementation of new systems. Custodian of Fresh and Center Store Standard Practice Training Aids, Training guides, Reference Documents, team email inbox, and portal pages.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partners with Fresh and Center Store Operations on long-term strategic planning, to continue to ensure our ability to stay ahead of industry trends and standards.
• Partner with the Project Manager, and Manager of Fresh and Center Store Operations to design competent communication and training materials that support retail execution of standard practice and training guides.
• Create clear communication via the Compass application to promote new initiatives and programs, request follow up on current programs to ensure retail execution.
• Collaborate with Manager to develop project goals, training objectives and measurements by analyzing needs and proposing multiple solutions to drive company and individual performance.
• Support Retail Operations and Services in prioritizing opportunities, and influence retail leadership to maximize financial performance and standard practice execution.
• Develop and support relationships with cross-functional Home Office partners, both within and outside of Retail Services, acting as a technical, professional resource in support of all Hannaford initiatives.
• Partner with the Profitability department and other serviced department to understand, control and forecast shrink related impacts.
• Collaborate with cross-banner teams on innovation initiatives and projects.
• Responsible for infusing methodologies and process excellence techniques into retail day-to-day operational business processes.
• Find efficiencies in processes to reinvest savings into the business.
• Spends time in stores with peers/banners understanding challenges and opportunities as well as brainstorming ways to improve our current business processes.
• Partner with Home Office areas to design optimized business processes that support initiatives/programs designed to drive sales and other key business objectives.
• Identify gaps in Fresh and Center Store training materials and retail execution of standards to ensure a high level of compliance, while adhering to laws.
• Modify existing procedures or processes to increase efficiencies or quality. Contribute and influence new methods or procedures based upon innovations to meet departmental and company goals.
• Partner with CAE to better incorporate the Power of You and Engagement into training material, retail communication and Fresh and Center Store Operations Specialist.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership support by educating and coaching new Store and Department Managers, Retail Management Trainees, and District Management Trainees on engagement, standards, and business systems.
• Respond to questions submitted via phone, email, VOR or compass by District, Store, and Department leadership within a reasonable timeframe.
• Actively seek out ways to develop and improve themselves, while helping to support and mentor other members of the Fresh and Center Store Operations Specialists.
• Lead, represent, and advocate for Retail on assigned projects with Home Office business partners.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Retail Assistant Store Manager experience
• Three to five years of Retail leadership experience
• A solid understanding of, Fresh and Center Store Operations Retail Strategy, and Standard Practices
• High School Diploma/GED

Skills and Abilities:

• Have proven ability to lead, teach, and coach by influence.
• Must be able to effectively identify and balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical and strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Able to use technical and financial information to identify opportunities and problem solve.
• Able to work a flexible schedule dictated by business needs (requires evenings, weekends, and travel in and out of state).
• Able to manage multiple business projects / initiatives.

The Salary Range for this Position is $75,040 - $112,560

Hannaford provides equal opportunity in employment to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), age, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.