Greg Gartke

Experience

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  Sobeys

  Jan 1990 - Aug 2020

  • Dedicated to identifying, developing, and expanding Local Vendor’sidentity within their communities through Local Merchandising,Assortment Development, and Retail Outlet exposure.• Work closely with Store Operators to monitor assortment, for keyopportunities with Local Community Vendors with high customerawareness.• Worked on the development and subsequent implementation of allon site Local Merchandising materials• Worked with all pertinent Alberta based vendors to develop theirinfrastructure in order to successfully work cost-efficiently with ournationally based company and infrastructure Show less Plan and implement business strategies to maximize sales andprofitability at wholesale and retail levels.• Throughout tenure as a Category Manager, each categorical heiarchy assigned would see an avg sales increase 1-3% above banner lift with profitability remaining whole or above target• Initiate and develop marketing programs in unison with vendors in order meet sales and profit initiatives• Develop comprehensive category plans utilizing the philosophies ofcategory management to attain the focal objectives of the company• Review and analyze the results of company advertising and marketing programs in order to continually and intelligently make the best decisions to evolve our offering and go-to-market strategies.• Modify banner specific price files, advertising programs, andassortments for the variousSobeys and IGA formats• Negotiate costing, rebates, allowances with existing and new vendors• Provide forecasting and budget projections• Study and analyze store assortment to ensure the all consumer tendencies are covered; this would include but not limited to; territorial purchasing trends, income, type of flyer vs household penetration (does a $1 as resonate more than a case lot ad, why?), a rewards shopper vs straight up price, etc. These ALL must be considered and up to date and informed by current market trends• Develop weekly merchandising plans to support current advertising vehicles, seasonal trends along community events• Utilize internal consumer insight data to better understand household acquisition, basket size, profitability, recognize & eliminate easily substitutable & redundant items• Perform in-depth analysis of competitors advertising and merchandising techniques as welltheir assortment and pricing philosophies• Review and analyze pertinent data available (Nielsen, Vendor, Banner, etc) Show less Project Management Lead for Grocery in all IGA/ IGA Garden Market conversions to the Sobeys Banner (110+ stores)Acted as a liaison bridging communications between corporate offices, regional divisions & store level managementCreated all merchandising guidelines for the Grocery DeptDeveloped all programs, dept standards, & training modules specific to the grocery dept., assisted in their implementation through training, coaching, mentoring, & perseveranceDevelop and train principles to maximize efficiencies & cost savings within not only the grocery dept but the entire store operations Build an effective conduit with the respective category teams, divisional marketing, & the sales teams related to unique market needs & the requirements to effectively execute the programs, processes, & advertising models necessary for successProvide strategic vendor & industry insights to any & all involved from executive through to store level in order to ensure proper buy-in & execution of all commercial, tactical programs through the Retail Support Teams in all banner supported retail unitsEnsured divisional needs were represented as an input into Category Management strategy developmentDeveloped & communicated relevant product and vendor information to the divisional sales and marketing teams, in support of all categorical, promotional, and merchandising strategies and initiatives.Assisted in the training of and execution of category management strategies at a divisional levelsImplement category go-to market strategies tailored to division execution plan.Provided Category teams with analysis of division/retail-specific product/vendor needs for Competitive Market ReviewsMaintained knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by researching appropriate books, journals and other literature and attending related conferences, seminars, training, supplier visits, etc.Leveraged internal and external category data and customer insights to inform decision-making. Show less • Overlook all aspects relevant to grocery, dairy and frozen specificdepartments• Administer and enforce the full implementation and execution of thecompany program and standards in all corporate and franchise stores• Train store management on merchandising and assortment guidelines,gross profit and ratioanalysis, company specific scheduling practices and proper orderingtechniques and inventorycontrols• Analyze sales/profit opportunities to achieve budget results• Responsible for the set-up, co-ordination, and implementation of allaspects of the grocerydepartment for new store openings as well as retro- fits for older storerenovations. Show less Reported to two sites to return bottom line to black from red.- drive profitable sales through achievement of sales and profit goals, budget management and sales forecasts through whatever means necessary. Assets intended for conversion from corporate to franchise entities.- Proactively analyzes and utilizes sales/financial reports, economic trends and community needs to identify and respond to market changes while controlling expenditures. - Ensure optimal store conditions through effective merchandise presentation, accurate and competitive pricing and store standards within Company policies and guidelines- Control security and welfare of both staff and consumer from changing and demanding environment while adhering to any and all policies and procedures within established safety, security, sales, financial and record keeping procedures and practices. Show less Utilized precise purchasing and merchandising principles to maximizesales, profitability, and inventorycontrol• Management of all operational aspects and circumstances relating toboth the grocery department and storeoperations,• Calculated and forecasted department sales and profit• Guide and educate entire team to ensure accurate stocking and shelfpresentation is practiced• Deliver impeccable customer service to all consumers and accountrepresentatives• Schedule department employees as well as department managers• Performed payroll• Worked within the community by partnering with their fundraising effortsthrough store support and sponsorship of neighborhood sports teamsWorked, learned and experienced every facet of the Gocery business. I am thankful for every single individual I came in contact with throughout this time in retail. I absorbed and learned from every single one of my interactions I had during this time. Thank you! Show less

  • Field Merchant Grocery, Alberta

    Jan 2018 - Aug 2020

  • Retail Trainer for Sobeys Liquor

    Jul 2016 - Jan 2018

  • Lead Category Manager

    Sept 2013 - Jul 2016

  • Category Manager

    Jan 2004 - Jul 2016

  • Manager Merchandising - Training, Development & Implementation, Grocery

    Oct 2002 - Sept 2004

  • Grocery Specialist

    Jan 2001 - Oct 2002

  • Store Manager ( Thickwood Garden Market & Fort McMurray IGA)

    Aug 2001 - Oct 2001

  • Shelf Management

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  • Store Manager < Assistant Manager < Grocery Manager < Supervisor < Clerk < etc

    Jan 1990 - Jan 2000
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  Northern Trade Works

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2021

  Consultant Category Management & Planogram Creation Execution Analysis

  - Consultant, train, and direct implementation on any and all aspects withinthe retail industry as needed.- Planogram software training, creation and execution - Utilize new software to implement new on shelf strategies and new iteminsight.- Analyze data to ensure best case, solution-based scenarios are offered, composits compared and offered to the client.- Reporting and Analytical solutions offered

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  Sobeys

  Aug 2021 - Jan 2022

  Grocery Southbrook Sobeys

  • Lead, coach and motivate colleagues to improve productivity, engagement and retention• Be committed to maintaining merchandising and operational standards• Be accountable for departmental financial objectives• Be responsible for dry foods, frozen foods, and dairy aisles - ordering, backroom, inventory, and signageconstantly on the lookout for great talent to join our team• Planning & Writing all scheduling to company policy for man hours per projected sales

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  Acosta/ Mosaic

  Nov 2021 - May 2022

  Client Services Manager

  As the Client Service Manager, I was instrumental in ensuring the delivery of all business requirements for partnered clients. This position included partnering with many dynamic businesses with many well-known market-leading consumer brands. This role required an organized and energetic individual who had learn quickly and was forced to demonstrate the following skills and requirements without hesitation or mentoring: - A Passion for client service while learning and exceeding said expectations with an "on-the-fly" inovatiovative, proactive approach,- Proven ability to develop positive & productive working relationships working in a cross-functional team environment, - Strong analytical aptitude with the ability to understand and analyze data,- create reports, identify opportunities and develop plans & recommendations within a standalone environment- Professional business acumen with solid communication skills both written and verbal,- Deliver on weekly & monthly reporting deadlines as well as produce and deliver a quarterly business review with the Client’s senior leadership team,- Develop tools and communication for the sales field management team with all elements required to provide flawless execution of account priorities while working within a stand-alone silo, - Ability to coordinate tasks with internal departments while maintaining ownership of overall results within an individuay learned environmment,- Flexible & adaptable, thriving in a fast-paced environment with meticulous follow up Show less

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  Lactalis Canada

  May 2022 - now

  Retail Sales Representative

  The Sales Representative is accountable for executing Lactalis sales strategy at retail to drive profitable revenue growth for the organization. This execution includes managing business relationships at retail and generating new business in alignment with Lactalis overall objectives and those of it’s Divisions. Create and Secure and execute promotional plans that match with both corporate and banner needs. · Develop and gain approval from Area Sales Manager on store coverage model that is consistent with overall strategic goals of Lactalis and it’s Divisions and fits into regional coverage model, which satisfies customer needs while driving Lactalis sales results for Lactalis and it’s Divisions. · Achieve distribution on authorized listings and secures secondary displays throughout the store by working with store personnel. Key focus products/categories will be determined by Area Sales Manager/Key Account Manager for the territory, region, and category based upon direction from Lactalis and it’s Divisions. · Under the direction and guidance of the Area Sales Manager, the Sales Representative will actively build top line sales through successfully prospecting for new business and capitalizing on opportunities available within existing locations. · Develop specific sales plan for each Division by customer (S.M.A.R.T. objectives) in weekly sales coverage model to achieve listing and merchandising objectives on a weekly and daily basis. · Perform administrative duties including territory volume reports, returns reports, and summary of display/distribution objectives. · Monitor competitive market activity including invoice costing, regular selling price or feature selling price, competitive listings or de-listings, point-of-sale material that is supporting new product launches and/or customer marketing campaigns as well as changes within a category segment to ensure Marketing/Trade Marketing can analyze the risk/opportunity. · Collaborate with Supply Chain Show less