Virtual Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Schraad Sales & Marketing Food Brokerage is seeking a professional, full-time, Retail Operations Manager in the Des Moines, IA area.

At Schraad Sales & Marketing we value people as our most strategic and competitive asset. We are committed to the development of a performance driven culture that values our employees’ contributions, opinions, passions and creativity. Schraad Sales & Marketing is dedicated to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We strive to attract the most talented candidates and brightest minds to join our team, and we are proud of our excellent benefit packages.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary

The Retail Operations Manager leads a team of Retail Representatives and Retail Sales Specialists to deliver best-in-class retail execution across grocery retail departments, including: Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, Natural, Specialty, General Merchandise, Health and Beauty Care, Produce, Bakery, Meat, Seafood and Deli.

This is a multi-faceted role, responsible for translating strategic goals from Business Managers, Retail team leadership, and clients into consistent field execution. The Retail Operations Manager is responsible for coaching and developing their team, ensuring seamless in-store execution, and using data to understand and report out results as well as improve team performance. 

Role and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, and manage a team of Retail Representatives and Retail Sales Specialists 
• Set clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and conduct regular field visits to reinforce standards
• Develop team capability in selling, merchandising, and product expertise
• Lead regular team meetings/calls to communicate objectives and address questions
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Monitor output from team to ensure accountability for job performance, identify and disseminate best practices across the team, and address any areas or individuals where improvement is needed 

Operational Excellence

• Accountable for team execution
• Ensure effective and efficient routing, coverage, and time management across the team, both for continuity coverage and retail projects, including food shows, store resets, sales meetings, etc. 
• Ensure team is accurately reporting all completed retail tasks in their tablets in a timely manner

Communication & Engagement 

• Partner with Business Managers and Retail leadership to understand strategic goals and team execution requirements; help structure effective and realistic execution plans
• Proactively provide regular results for key initiatives 
• Proactively identify and communicate when changes are needed and/or risks are identified, including when priorities shift, timelines/goals are at risk, or additional resources are needed
• Attend both in-person and virtual internal and client meetings as needed
• Create materials to support selling and merchandising as assigned

Team Administration

• Manage and supervise team including approval of expense reports, time and attendance, mileage, etc.
• Notify Human Resources of any employee performance issues in a timely manner
• Follow and enforce all company policies, including but not limited to Company Handbook and Travel and Business Expense Reimbursement.  
• Monitor part-time employees’ hours to ensure compliance with company policy regarding maximum hours worked (less than or equal to 129 hours) each calendar month.

Other

• Ensure proper maintenance of all provided company equipment
• Maintain flexibility to participate in team scheduled tasks
• Overnight travel required

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university in Business or relative major required, or three to five years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of Grocery Retail experience
• Strong demonstration of leadership, organizational skills, and high attention to detail and client service
• Proficiency in technology (i.e. computers, smart phones, tablets)
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and provide valid proof of insurance that meets company requirements
• Must have access to reliable high speed internet

Preferred Skills

• Retail Merchandising Experience
• Sales Management Experience

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of this job.

The employee is regularly required to stand/walk for long periods of time; frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; frequent repetitive motions; working with hands/arms above head; talking, and hearing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and climb a ladder.