Executive Leader, Category Merchant – Frozen Team, Center Store

Provides leadership and oversight to the Category Management / Merchandising function including strategy development innovation definition and execution of marketplace differentiators key supplier partnerships and team development. Responsible for the financial performance of the Category management / Merchandising function. Accountable for all Category Management / Merchandising strategic and operational decisions including category management purchasing and procurement and retail operations. Oversees team efforts to develop category goals & strategies and product assortments through the lens of our core customer ensuring a strong mix of national brand product relevance best-in-class local product relevance and best-in-class private label product relevance - distinguishing Whole Foods Market from our competition. Responsible for business financial performance.

Key job responsibilities
o Provides leadership and oversight to Category Management and Merchandising leaders and teams.
o Sets the strategic direction of a master category serving as foundation for all work merchants perform.
o Contributes to oversees and/or leads the design of category layout category adjacencies and space allocation for both ongoing and new retail operations.
o Contributes to financial performance forecasting and overall Category Management / Merchandising strategic planning and priority setting.
o Contributes to strategic alignment between category merchants and/or buyers across regions and retail operations.
o Owns relationship management and strategic alignment with key supplier partners.
o Serves as a driving force for Merchandising evolution incorporating multiple and diverse stakeholder needs into plans for continued progress.
o Drives strategically-focused and data-driven process improvement recommendations to leadership.
o Engages with customers partners and other key external stakeholders to ensure mutual understanding of WFM principles values strategies and priorities.
o Aligns resources according to strategic objectives.
o Actively monitors and manages Merchandising in-season performance driving issue resolution through team and elevating performance issues as required.
o Engages with senior internal stakeholders including Marketing Finance and Procurement to ensure an integrated approach to ongoing operations.
o Addresses and resolves critical and/or sensitive customer operational and other issues.
o Ensures ongoing open and informative communication across all Merchandising stakeholders.
o Coaches and develops their team.
o Builds a pipeline of talent hires for all roles develops those in role and supports Team Member career progression.

Skills:
o Engages with other leaders to design maintain and champion the mission vision and strategy of the organization.
o Defines develops and implements initiatives to enhance team and business performance.
o Develops deep credible relationships with senior-level executives both inside and outside current areas of responsibility.
o Serves as trusted advisor internally and externally from a Category Management Merchandising Procurement and Supply Chain perspective.
o Engages with internal and external stakeholders to define clarify and resolve issues related to supply management and performance expectations.
o Collaborates / liaises with marketing on relevant program and product strategies to support team and company initiatives.
o Engages with other leaders to formulate the organizations long-term strategic direction.
o Defines strategies and approaches to empower and equip leaders to be effective in their interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
o Identifies gaps in strategic understanding formulates resolution recommendations and delivers clear and compelling communication.
o Shifts comfortably between big picture strategic thinking and the tactics required to achieve outcomes.
o Influences broad organizational strategic direction and planning on a go-forward basis.
o Plans estimates staffs organizes and monitors significant task and project activity.
o Identifies risks and vulnerabilities creates contingency plans.
o Conducts regular and ad-hoc reviews with team stakeholders partners and customers.
o Oversees and advises other leaders on task- and project-related issues and assists with overcoming barriers.
o Demonstrates nuanced understanding of the WFM business the grocery retail industry and the business models of key strategic partners and competitors.
o Able to assess how key functions processes and operating models impact the business; delivers recommendations on how to optimize.
o Able to connect the dots across markets customers partners and programs to identify interdependencies and long-term growth opportunities.
o Viewed as a thought leader within Merchandising organization.

- Bachelors degree or equivalent or 8 years of equivalent experience
- 5 years of leadership experience
- 4 years of people management experience
- Experience working with executive leadership in large organizations

- Masters degree or above

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status disability or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process including support for the interview or onboarding process please visit for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt listed please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience qualifications and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical dental vision prescription Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans EAP Mental Health Support Medical Advice Line Flexible Spending Accounts Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage) 401(k) matching paid time off and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at TX Austin - 154300.00 - 208800.00 USD annually