Associate Business Manager

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.