Director of Produce and Distribution

Join Lunds & Byerlys as a Full Time Director of Produce and Distribution and take the next exciting step in your career! The competitive salary range of $140,000-$200,000 per year with an at-target performance bonus of 20% reflects our desire to attract top talent who exemplify our core values of integrity, teamwork, and innovation.

Our Commitment to You

Lunds & Byerlys is committed to taking care of the employees who take care of our customers. We are committed to creating work environments centered around the values of hospitality, teamwork, and opportunity. Lunds & Byerlys is committed to providing equal opportunities to all interested and qualified candidates. Our culture is based in teamwork, innovation, and respect. These words are not just tossed around. They are at the core of who we are as a Star Tribune Top Workplace 2019-2025.

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members. Our benefits include competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with various health spending and savings accounts. We provide supplemental free on-demand healthcare and generous paid time off. Additionally, team members can take advantage of 401(k) matching and other value-added benefits focused on overall health and wellness.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Produce and Distribution provides strategic leadership for Lunds & Byerlys' produce category and distribution center (DC) operations. This role is responsible for developing and executing buying, merchandising, pricing, and promotional strategies that drive sales, maximize profitability, and reinforce brand standards. The Director leads produce buying and DC teams, oversees daily supply chain operations including inventory management, quality control, and 3PL partner relations and builds strong grower and supplier partnerships to ensure consistent product quality and availability. A key member of the merchandising leadership team, this role monitors market trends and financial performance to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency, while developing talent and fostering cross-functional communication across retail, wholesale, and vendor partners. All responsibilities are carried out in alignment with Lunds & Byerlys' commitment to customer service excellence and fresh food standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following description of work to be performed by this individual is not intended to be all-inclusive. Rather, it focuses on the major tasks that must be accomplished. There are many necessary activities to satisfy any of the following performance guidelines.

Customer Experience

• Model and reinforce Lunds & Byerlys customer service standards in all interactions, ensuring produce quality, freshness, and merchandising standards are consistently met across all retail locations
• Monitor customer feedback, sales trends, and shopping behaviors to identify opportunities to enhance the customer experience and improve produce assortment, quality, and presentation.

Category Strategy, Buying, & Vendor Partnerships

• Establish and execute the strategic direction for the produce category and distribution center, incorporating consumer trends, competitive intelligence, pricing, and merchandising to support company goals and brand objectives.
• Lead produce buying teams in sourcing high-quality product, negotiating purchase contracts and promotional programs to secure favorable costs and terms, and developing pricing and promotion strategies, including seasonal, event, lifestyle, and item-driven programs - that drive sales and profitability.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with growers, shippers, and supply partners to ensure reliable supply, favorable market opportunities, and effective utilization of supplier programs. Develop private label and signature item strategies that reinforce brand identity.
• Develop communication models that ensure retail, wholesale, vendor, and internal partners have the information, tools, and appropriate involvement in decisions, programs, and strategies that affect them.

Distribution Center & Operational Performance

• Oversee daily DC operations including inventory management, order fulfillment, quality control, and food safety compliance. Maintain a collaborative relationship with the 3PL partner to ensure efficient transportation, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery to all retail locations.
• commodity pricing, market trends, weather impacts, and seasonal conditions to inform purchasing decisions. Analyze sales, inventory, and shrink data to maximize gross margin, minimize shrink, and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
• Review and interpret financial reports to identify cost savings and profitability opportunities. Establish and track operational metrics including inventory turns, fill rates, shrink reduction, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members across buying, retail and DC teams. Manage performance, assign responsibilities, identify succession needs, and build bench strength aligned with company growth objectives.

OTHER JOB DUTIES (Not considered essential to the job)

• Perform all other related assignments (including special projects) as required in a professional and cooperative manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field, or the equivalent knowledge gained from experience within the functional area

• Experience

• Ten or more years of related management experience including responsibility for sales and profitability, budgeting, buying and merchandising along with a proven record of success in developing product strategies, category management, pricing, promotions and merchandising

• LFHI Competencies expected of all employees include: Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Instills Trust, Communicates Effectively, Ensure Accountability, and Values Differences

• Other required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A service-oriented individual with a high energy, positive and friendly demeanor

• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills

• Strong communication skills, human relations and project management skills

• Innovative, resourceful and analytical thinking abilities

• Ability to respond to continually changing priorities and coordinate multiple projects

• Strong computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Word)

• Ability to delegate and follow through

• Ability to provide motivation and leadership

• Strong organizational abilities

• Project management, sound judgment and decision-making abilities

Compensation Disclaimer

The actual rate of pay offered within the range may depend on several factors such as skills, knowledge, expertise, and experience. Our organization also considers internal equity when making job offers. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.

About Lunds & Byerlys

Family-owned for over 80 years, Lunds & Byerlys is a grocery retailer rooted in the family tradition of quality, value, and service. Not only do we offer convenient, healthy, and contemporary delectables, we believe in giving our grocery customers the same personal attention and exceptional value we would expect for our own family. Our employees are chosen for their expertise and dedication in giving our grocery customers the best shopping experience possible. Which is why we offer competitive wages, great benefits and perks, and an amazing company culture.

Get started with our team!

If you have these qualities and meet the basic job requirements, we'd love to have you on our team. Apply now using our online application!