Fresh Operations & Promotions Specialist FT

Fresh Operations & Promotions Specialist

Full-Time | Lawrence, KS (On-Site)

Help Shape the Future of Fresh at The Merc Co+op

The Merc Co+op is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and relationship-focused Fresh Operations & Promotions Specialist to support our Fresh Departments, including Produce, Bakery, Kitchen/Deli, and Meat & Seafood.

This role combines promotions, pricing, analysis, training, process improvement, and operational support. You'll work closely with department managers and store leadership to improve sales, profitability, efficiency, consistency, and the overall customer experience.

Success in this role requires someone who can work independently, build strong relationships, solve problems, and adapt quickly as priorities change. You'll regularly collaborate with managers and staff, develop and improve processes, and help move projects from idea to implementation.

Why This Role Matters

The Fresh Operations & Promotions Specialist plays a key role in supporting the success of The Merc's Fresh Departments. This position helps drive promotions, pricing strategy, training, operational consistency, and process improvements that directly impact the customer experience and department performance.

If you enjoy working with people, solving problems, improving systems, and helping teams succeed, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Promotions, Pricing & Merchandising

• Coordinate Fresh Deals, flash sales, seasonal promotions, and other sales-driving initiatives.
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory, and pricing data to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Research new products, vendors, and category trends.
• Support merchandising plans, store resets, and promotional programs.
• Help departments balance strong customer value with profitability goals.

Operational Support & Problem Solving

• Work with managers to identify opportunities, address challenges, and improve department performance.
• Partner with Fresh Managers to evaluate recipe costs, labor inputs, yields, and pricing for Merc-made products.
• Maintain product, pricing, inventory, and recipe databases.
• Monitor key initiatives and follow through to ensure projects are successfully completed.
• Spend time in departments observing processes, gathering information, and supporting implementation of improvements.
• Adapt quickly when priorities shift and respond to changing business needs.

Training & Process Improvement

• Create, update, and maintain SOPs, training materials, and department resources.
• Help managers implement new programs, policies, and procedures.
• Train and communicate changes effectively to staff and department leadership.
• Support consistency, accountability, and operational excellence across Fresh departments.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

The most successful candidates are:

• Self-directed and productive without constant supervision.
• Comfortable balancing multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Strong communicators who can work effectively with managers, staff, vendors, and leadership.
• Skilled at building relationships and navigating different personalities and perspectives.
• Detail-oriented and comfortable learning new systems, software, and technical processes.
• Comfortable analyzing data, margins, recipe costs, and operational information.
• Able to identify opportunities and solve problems rather than waiting for direction.
• Equally comfortable working at a computer, training employees, or spending time in the departments they support.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated history of dependability, reliability, integrity, accountability, and consistent follow-through on commitments.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to prioritize, reprioritize, and follow through on commitments.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, with the ability to learn and effectively utilize new technologies and business software.
• Working knowledge of recipe measurements, ingredient yields, food costing, or food production processes preferred.
• Ability to regularly work a full-time schedule of 35-40 hours per week, including occasional weekends and holidays.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position combines office work with active time in retail and production areas.

• Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout the store.
• Regular computer and administrative work.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable spending time in refrigerated coolers, freezers, storage areas, and kitchen environments.
• Exposure to a variety of temperatures, including cold storage areas and warm food production spaces.
• Ability to bend, reach, squat, twist, push, and pull as needed.

Pay & Benefits

$16.32 - $22.03 per hour, based on experience

Benefits include:

• 20% Employee Discount
• Paid Time Off
• 8 Hours of Paid Community Volunteer Time Annually
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (30+ hours/week)
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance (30+ hours/week)
• Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Access to Additional Employee Discounts on Travel, Entertainment, Electronics, and More
• Birthday & Service Anniversary Recognition
• Free Community Classes

Note: The purpose of this posting is to provide a general summary of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties, assignments, responsibilities, and requirements may change based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements build as one progresses through job levels, and duties required at lower levels may also be required at higher levels in addition to the responsibilities listed above. Duties, assignments, and responsibilities may vary based on business conditions, departmental needs, and operational priorities.

For internal applicants, successful performance in a current position does not guarantee promotion. Advancement opportunities are based on business need, qualifications, demonstrated performance, and selection as the most qualified candidate for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Merc Co+op is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

We value diversity and believe a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our team, our workplace, and the communities we serve.