Merchandising Specialist
US Foods, Inc.
Blaine MN US
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Acts as the central escalation point of contact for all service requests related to product specifications, availability, substitutions, and merchandising issues.
Serves as gatekeeper for the New Item Request (NIR) process and tracking log, including approvals and 30/60/90-day follow-up.
Supports Category Operations Managers with analytics requests, local flyer item selection, rebate solicitation, Roll Out Book reviews, and assortment projects.
Partners on E&O follow-up, CASIS billings, vendor meeting preparation, and post-launch reviews.
Serves as the escalation point of contact for RSC inquiries related to merchandising activities.
Develops subject matter expertise in US Foods systems and tools to respond to inquiries quickly and accurately.
Builds and maintains broker and vendor relationships and leverages internal resources to independently resolve and follow up on PSSA-related items.
Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure timely, accurate communication of merchandising updates and issue resolution.
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal: Category Operations Managers, Marketing Managers, Replenishment, Pricing team, Territory Managers, Account Executives
External: Local vendors and brokers, as needed.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Onsite: The associate in this role is expected to perform assigned responsibilities inside a US Foods office-based environment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
5 years of purchasing, merchandising, sales or customer service experience
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
EDUCATION
College degree or equivalent distribution and/or food service supply chain work experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Previous US Foods experience
PRISM/Merlin/Tandem skills
Purchasing, merchandising, sales or customer service experience in a foodservice distribution environment.
Strong organizational, analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated focus on delivering effective service to both internal and external customers.
Proven ability to research issues, escalate as needed, and follow through with urgency while overcoming obstacles using a solutions-focused approach.
This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus up to 10% of base salary.?
?Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS
OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVER
JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:
FREQUENCY:
STAND - OCCASIONALLY
WALK - OCCASIONALLY
DRIVE - NEVER
SIT - FREQUENTLY
LIFT
1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - OCCASIONALLY
11-20 lbs (Light) - OCCASIONALLY
21-50 lbs (Medium) - NEVER
51-100 lbs (Heavy) - NEVER
Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy) - NEVER
CARRY
1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - OCCASIONALLY
11-20 lbs (Light) - OCCASIONALLY
21-50 lbs (Medium) - NEVER
51-100 lbs (Heavy) - NEVER
Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy) - NEVER
PUSH/PULL1 - NEVER
CLIMB/BALANCE - NEVER
STOOP/SQUAT - NEVER
KNEEL - NEVER
BEND - NEVER
REACH ABOVE SHOULDER - OCCASIONALLY
TWIST - OCCASIONALLY
GRASP OBJECTS2 - OCCASIONALLY
MANIPULATE OBJECTS3 - FREQUENTLY
MANUAL DEXTERITY4 - CONTINUOUSLY
1 (Push/Pull: Dolly, cartons and boxes)
2 (Grasp Objects: Boxes and cartons)
3 (Manipulate Objects: Boxes and dolly)
4 (Manual Dexterity: Typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers)