Job Description

Job Description

Company Overview Founded in 1939 and based in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. The company operates over 2,200 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Company Facts Albertsons Companies is headquartered in Boise, ID with corporate locations in Phoenix, AZ and Pleasanton, CA.
The company has $59 billion in in annual sales and serves over 34 million customers per week.
Albertsons Companies operate more than 2,200 stores, 1,775 in-store pharmacies and 395 fuel stations across 35 states.
As one of the largest retail employers in the U.S., the company provides approximately 275,000 job opportunities.
The company has introduced home delivery in over 25 of the major metropolitan markets through their own distribution and a partnership with Instacart.
Position Title Leader, Culinary Research and Strategy
Position Location Pleasanton, CA or Boise, ID
Position Overview Albertsons seeks to offer customers an easy, exciting and friendly shopping experience, through disrupting deli and food service as we know it today and capturing greater share of stomach by becoming a trusted leader in meals focused on 3 key categories: Ready to Heat, Ready to Cook and Ready to Eat.

In many grocers, meals is often represented as an offshoot of the deli and food service teams. In this role, reporting to the SVP, Meals Business, the Leader of Strategy & Business Development will perform a key role by establishing partnerships with chefs, restaurants (both local and national) and other external partners that will expand our meals business into broader areas like B2B, new food technologies, food automation, and innovation in food delivery. This person will also be evaluating opportunities for investment and/or acquisition when it aligns with our strategy. It's a broadly scoped very strategic role that will be a key in establishing Albertsons as a meals destination. This leader will work closely with corporate development, ecommerce, our private label brands & innovation teams as well as our various divisions to execute partnerships both within our stores as well as online. This person will have a highly visible leadership role in the organization and will be a critical partner to each Division's leadership team in building and growing a successful meal solutions business.

The grocery industry is underdeveloped in meal solutions and now more than ever our customers are looking for easy solutions, ideas and products to satisfy multiple eating occasions for themselves and their families, and this person will contribute to influencing the future of meal solutions and establish Albertsons as an industry leader.

There are very few places where you can have this much customer and business impact and help shape the future. If you're up to the challenge, we'd love to talk to you!
Core Responsibilities * Lead partnerships and business development for the Meals team in partnership with the corporate development team
* Drive, develop, and oversee implementation of the Meals partnership strategy, building the vision for the optimal customer experience, and build the strategic business plan for the company at the Division level to achieve P&L and EBITDA goals
* Monitor and analyze competitive landscape and trends both grocery and restaurants, as well as nationally and locally, and communicate opportunities to the meal solutions team, to keep the business competitive in a dynamic environment
* Establish a partnership playbook for product development and commercialization both within our stores as well as online.
* Monitor financial results, continuously assess factors impacting performance, review opportunities and take appropriate actions to improve KPIs
* Actively collaborate with cross-functional teams in corporate development, real estate, IT, sourcing and procurement, our Own Brands team, the deli & foodservice teams, the health & wellness team, and our division leaders
* Ensure the operational controls are in place to identify and manage risks, while also utilizing techniques to enhance decision making confidence in pursuing growth opportunities
* Ensure appropriate resources are developed and allocated to assist division associates with the supervision of the ReadyMeals program in the store
Personal Characteristics * A strategist -- you think big and are able to create new business plans to drive growth
* A negotiator -- you can see possibilities and not problems to maximize opportunities
* A networker -- you can develop and build extensive relationships
* A collaborator -- you can work across levels and functions to get results
* A problem-solver -- you find ways to get things done
* A diplomat -- you work well with people with different backgrounds.
* A relentless learner and observer -- you know the trends in food.... cooking, restaurants, cuisines, etc. You understand the consumer and the industry never stops changing
* A restless curiosity - you are always looking for a better way, seeking to understand where the consumer is headed
* A conviction -- you have a passion for developing and increasing the value of this growing category
Experience & Expertise * 10+ years of business development and strategy experience with a preference for experience in the grocery or restaurant industry a plus
* Experience in investing in and acquiring companies
* Solid business and financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, analysis
* Experience in creating a unique customer value proposition; attracting, engaging, and retaining customers
* Demonstrated capability in evaluating process and improving operational efficiencies
* Has experience navigating large matrixed organizations
* Successful in negotiating and/or influencing across all levels of the organization in order to gain cooperation and successfully implement projects
* Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
* An undergraduate degree required, MBA a plus
Leadership Capabilities * Aptitude for strategic thinking and problem solving in a fluid environment
* Exceptional at prioritizing and focusing on the highest value opportunities
* Strong aptitude for being data driven to make decisions
* Sense of urgency with a strong and proven ability to partner internally to influence; gaining the commitment and consensus necessary to drive performance and develop strategic and tactical plans
* Executive presence and mindset, with the ability to roll up sleeves when necessary
* Excellent communication skills, able to present at the most senior executive level, negotiate and influence at Division leadership level and resolve complex issues
* Exceptional networking, relationship building and influencing skills
* Possesses a collaborative and approachable style
* A positive cultural leader, champion and motivator
* Has the presence and ability to energize and motivate the organization while delegating accountability
* Able to lead in a growing and complex business
* Able to manage competing priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced business environment
* Capable of challenging senior management as well as colleagues in the business in a constructive, balanced way, offering solutions and fresh thinking
Culture Fit and Impact Compassion: We always treat each other and our customers with kindness and respect
Team: We always support and recognize each other
Ownership: We always take actions to drive our success
Competitive: We always act with integrity to win over the customer
Inclusive: We always value everyone's perspective
Learning: We always strive to grow and develop ourselves and others