Associate Business Manager

Job description

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.