Associate Operations Manager Jobs in Oak Brook, IL

Retail Operations Manager (ROM)

At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking a dynamic Retail Operations Manager (ROM) to be primarily responsible for leading and developing an assigned Retail Selling and Merchandising organization.  The ROM will oversee a specific segment of clients and/or retailers within an assigned geography. They are responsible for representing the Company and their designated Clients & Customers through the management of retail store coverage, set/project coverage, executing objectives set forth by Clients, Retailers and/or Business Development Managers and related retail leadership.

Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

• Maintain excellent high-performing teams and proactively ensure client Key Performance Indicators are executed consistently by addressing retail issues on an on-going basis. Oversee effective and efficient retail routing and approve all related routing decisions for an assigned region.        
• Develop people through training and direct organizational and team development initiatives using performance management tools, including: performance reviews, in-store assessments, individual associate development plans & succession planning documentation.
• Source and identify external talent and integrate new associates into the organization as part of a long-term talent expansion strategy.
• Manage, assist and/or develop expense and/or revenue/operating income budget for area of responsibility based on responsible channel of trade and client(s) responsibility.
• Grow base business and add new business.
• Driving and travel are essential duties and function of this job.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent experience is required; Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or Business Management or equivalent experience is preferred
• 5+ years of retail experience with associate management
• 1-3 years of successfully managing Retail Merchandisers, P&L, budgeting and forecasting, and managing client expectations either personally or through a team
• Customer and client management
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Position Summary

The Retail Operations Manager is primarily responsible for leading and developing an assigned Retail Selling and Merchandising organization.  The ROM will oversee specific segment of clients and/or retailers within an assigned geography. They are responsible for representing the Company and their designated Clients & Customers through the management of retail store coverage, set/project coverage, executing objectives set forth by Clients, Retailers and/or Business Development Managers and related retail leadership.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilitie

Operational Excellence

• Operational Efficiency: Maintain excellent high-performing teams and proactively ensure client KPI’s are executed consistently by addressing retail issues on an on-going basis. Oversee effective and efficient retail routing and approve all related routing decisions for an assigned region.        
• Associate Performance Management: Develop people through training and direct organizational and team development initiatives using performance management tools, including: performance reviews, in-store assessments, individual associate development plans & succession planning documentation. Source and identify external talent and integrate new associates into the organization as part of a long term talent expansion strategy.
• Communication/Change Management: Maintain proactive and professional communications across multiple internal and external stakeholders; lead change across responsible retail organization to ensure client and company KPIs are met.  
• Retail Reporting: Maintain working knowledge of company systems including all reporting functions. Interpret retail reporting data and offer actionable insights to course correct and achieve client/retailer performance expectations.
• Budgeting: manage, assist and/or develop expense and/orrevenue/operating income budget for area of responsibility based on      responsible channel of trade and client(s) responsibility.

Strategic Leadership

• Standardization and Execution of the Company’s Strategic Direction: Outline and implement National policies and programs. Proactively promote the Company’s Strategic Direction and Vision on a day-to-day basis and assure compliance with all National Programs.
• Business Development: Grow base business and add new business.
• Organizational Development: Oversee Retail Operations-wide efforts to increase effectiveness and/or efficiency enabling the organization to achieve its strategic goals.    
• Customer/Company Customer Team/Company Market Integration: Serve as strategic retail contact for Customers, Company Business Managers, RTLs/ATLs, and Company Department Managers & Sales Directors in each assigned region that affect the Account Team(s).  Utilize all elements and resources to meet and exceed team and Client’s requirements.

Client/Retailer Partnership Management

• Serve as strategic retail contact for all clients in assigned region.  Work to build and maintain Client/Retailer partnerships while managing ongoing client goals and KPI objectives.  Pursue new Client representation and seek additional business opportunities from existing client base in an effort to add incremental value to our client base.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job 

Travel up to Up to 80%

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level: (Required) High School Diploma or GED or equivalent experience

                         (Preferred) Bachelor's Degree

Field of Study/Area of Experience:  Marketing or Business Management

5+ years of retail experience with associate management

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Customer and client management
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
• Analytical skills 
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service orientation
• Strong prioritization skills
• Skill in supervising to include delegating responsibility, training and evaluating performance
• Ability to work effectively with management
• Ability to visualize and plan objectives and goals strategically
• Ability to work independently and prioritize duties with minimal supervision, in order to meet deadlines
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Basic computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, and Internet usage
• Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people 

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field / Administrative Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities:  engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive.  The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law.  The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.