General Merchandise Trainee Department: General Merchandising Post End Date: Position Type: Employee Position Reports To: Buyer Position Supervises: N/A Pay Level: 6-7 FLSA Status: Exempt This position is a full time, salaried training role within the General Merchandise group. It has 3 phases, approximately 18 months as an assistant buyer, 8 weeks in the stores, and 12-18 months as an assistatnt planner. The goal of the program is to get candidates to be ready to step into a buying or planning role upon completion. Position Summary: Work directly with the buyer to execute day-to-day category management activities. Collaborate on assortment selection, promotional/advertising plans, and the overall vision to achieve sales, inventory and margin budgets. Demonstrate the companys core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety. Essential Job Functions: * Collaborate with the buyer in the execution of sales, inventory and margin plans * Assist the buyer in executing the overall vision for the category (e.g., assortment, pricing, merchandising, advertising/promotion, receipt flow, and margin) * Complete detailed analysis to determine assortment selection and changes for the enterprise * Accumulate vendor product information and costs for assortment selection * Oversee item setup processes and review/confirm details before submitting * Assist the buyer and corporate pricing analyst with competitive price checks for the enterprise and maintain pricing strategy database * Determine point of sale (POS) and temporary price reduction (TPR) pricing, clearance and markdown needs and partner with the buyer/planner to get them executed * Manage the advertising and promotional process for the category using line lists, Ad Space Allocation (ASA), Event Sales Planning (ESP), display plans, etc. * Coordinate with vendors to obtain merchandise samples for review, e-commerce and advertising * Evaluate and make vendor return decisions on salvaged merchandise * Process Form 11 vendor allowances when approved * Confirm trade point and contracts with the administrative support personnel (ASP) before they are created * Manage purchase orders and receiving via the on order log, follow up with vendors and communicate any concerns to the entire team (e.g., buyer, planner, replenishment buyer, and assistant planner) * Research and find solutions for any receiving problems by working with warehouses and/or logistics * Assist buyer with additional special projects * Travel for vendor visits and negotiations * Oversee a sub-set of the buyers total categories * Locate and select assortments for the enterprise and manage vendor relationships to maximize sales, margins and minimize costs for the assigned category * Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation Minimum Position Qualifications/Education: * Bachelors degree in business or 2 years of retail store managerial experience or a combination of relevant education and experience * Strong accuracy/attention to detail * Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks/projects * Ability to function in a fast paced, retail/office environment * Familiarity with retail industry technical terms and processes * Proficient Microsoft Office skills * Completed development plan for both assistant buyer and assistant planner (Level 7) Desired Previous Job Experience/Education: * Bachelors degree in business * Proficient with Microsoft Office, Magic * Retail store managerial experience Education Level: Bachelor's Desired Required Travel: None Required Certifications/Licenses: None Position Type: Full-Time Regions: West States: Oregon Keywords: Jobs at Kroger: At Kroger, we hire people who have a passion for helping others and who want to build a relationship with our Customers. No matter what stage of your career, you can build your future at Kroger. We look for people who want more, aspire to be more and work hard to achieve their goals. Our focus on keeping the Customer first is what makes us successful. As the largest traditional grocery chain in the U.S. and one of the world's largest retailers, we employee more nearly half a million Associates across 35 states. We offer many opportunities not only in our stores, but in Manufacturing, Logistics, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and many other fields. Company Overview Kroger Family of Companies employs nearly half a million associates who serve customers in 2,782 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states. Our Family of Companies also operates 2,268 pharmacies, 274 fine jewelry stores, 1,489 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit by serving America through food inspiration and uplift and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. Careers with The Kroger Co. and our family of companies offer competitive wages, flexible schedules, benefits and room for advancement. Posting Notes: OR || Portland || 3800 S.E. 22Nd Ave. || 97202 || Kroger General Office || [[mfield2]] || General Merchandising (Fred Meyer) || Employee || Exempt || Full-Time || None Nearest Major Market: Portland Oregon Job Segment: Merchandising, Trainee, Developer, Temporary, Retail Sales, Retail, Entry Level, Technology, Contract