About this role
WHO WE ARE: Entrepreneurial | Expert | Exclusive | Empowering
• We are entrepreneurial growth agents for our clients and our company. • Backed by PLM’s 35+ years of experience, we bring unparalleled Kroger expertise. • We operate exclusively at Kroger, where our team excels in navigating its strategy, systems, and decision-making processes. • We are an employee-owned company, fostering a culture and work environment that empowers and engages employees.
WHAT WE DO: three sixty Merchandising Solutions specializes in the strategic expansion of CPG client product portfolios at Kroger, America’s leading grocery retailer. We provide a wealth of merchandising expertise and vast brokerage capabilities in all facets of grocery retailing.
• Relationship Management • Category Management • Insights & Analytics • Space Optimization • Promotional Planning • Administration
POSITION SUMMARY: As an Associate Business Manager, you will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of small to mid-sized CPG clients, owning both business performance and day-to-day execution. This role operates with guidance and oversight from a Senior Business Manager (SBM) and/or Director and is designed to build the skills necessary to independently manage larger, more complex client businesses over time. The Associate Business Manager combines strategic thinking and hands-on execution, serving as the primary driver of results across the assigned desk.
• Relationship management: Lead and strengthen client engagement. • Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for assigned clients, aligning strategies and fostering collaboration with Kroger stakeholders with guidance from a SBM or Director as needed • Ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment across clients, Kroger, and internal teams • Lead day-to-day client engagement, escalating complex, strategic, or high-risk topics appropriately
• Insights & analytics: Leverage data to drive strategic decisions. • Pull and manage data through 84.51 Stratum, OnDemand and related systems • Create and distribute weekly & period scorecards and standard reports • Analyze and monitor performance to identify opportunities or risks • Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations, aligned to business objectives • Ensure data accuracy, consistency and professional deliverable formatting
• Promotional planning: Develop and execute strategies to drive growth. • In partnership with SBM and/or Director develop, execute and support promotional plans aligned with client strategy and Kroger’s guardrails, providing strategic, analytic, technical, and administrative support • Communicate promotional strategies to stakeholders to ensure effective execution • Monitor performance and recommend optimization opportunities based on results
• KOMPASS and innovation: Drive assortment and new item success. • Support clients through the KOMPASS process, recommending new product introductions and merchandising opportunities with Senior Business Manager or Director guidance • Assist in aligning brand and product strategies with Kroger category objectives • Coordinate execution of new item setup and launch readiness
• Administration: Own timely & flawless administrative support • Manage Kroger and internal systems and tools (ex. 1worldsync, Syndigo, DemandTec, MS Planner and Sharepoint, etc.) • Own execution of processes, documentation and form submissions (examples include item setup, contracts, and promotional workflows). • Support client payment reconciliation process • Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness across all administrative activities. • Coordinate with support resources when applicable while retaining accountability for outcomes and execution quality.
• Project Management: • Manage and communicate progress and timelines on tasks & projects • Prioritize workload and manage responsibilities within established guidelines • Work effectively with cross-functional teams to accomplish shared goals
• Industry voice of three sixty: Professionally represent and promote three sixty • Serve as an ambassador, representing three sixty Merchandising Solutions to clients, Kroger stakeholders, and the overarching community • Build credibility through consistent execution, insights, and professional communication • Develop industry knowledge and presence over time, strengthening effectiveness and leadership capability
MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
• 4-year degree in Business, Marketing, Operations, Economics or equivalent education • 4+ years of relevant industry experience • Proficient Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint • Capacity to learn multiple computer systems and web-based applications • Capability to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to a team • Expert organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills • Highly motivated self-starter who can work with minimal supervision • Ability to effectively craft and deliver a message to senior level executives • Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize and multi-task • Adapt to advancing technology and Kroger systems
MINIMUM PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
• Must be able to perform essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable Accommodations • Must be able to: • remain standing/sitting for several hours at a time • lift 10-15 lbs. occasionally
DESIRED PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE:
• Administrative support position in office environment • Data analysis and reporting experience • Retail or grocery experience in a HQ environment • DSD Experience is a plus
COMPETENCIES/SKILLS: Some of the Competencies/Skills required to successfully perform this position are:
• Adaptability – Effectively adjusting to changes in tasks, processes, or work environments. • Building Strategic Working Relationships – Building collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve goals. • Building Trust – interacting with Kroger suppliers and employees in a way that gives Kroger management confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization. • Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to Kroger and P.L. Marketing employees. • Decision Making – Analyzing opportunities, issues or problems leveraging data to make informed, effective decisions aligned with objectives. • Inclusion – Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals; working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability and motivation for a direct effect on business results • Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations • Self-Starter– able to work without direct supervision; prioritizing, organizing and completing workload accurately within allotted time period • Work Standards – setting and maintaining high performance expectations and accountability for results.