Director, Own Brands

The Director of Own Brands will lead the strategic development and performance of Wakefern’s private label portfolio across all banners. This role is pivotal in driving growth, profitability, and customer loyalty by delivering high-quality, competitively priced products that reflect Wakefern’s brand promise and cooperative values.

Essential Functions

The core functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Champion Wakefern’s private label brands, ensuring alignment with our cooperative’s values and customer expectations.
• Develop long-term brand strategy in partnership with product division leadership across diverse retail formats.
• Collaborate with procurement and merchandising to bring products from concept to shelf, including market research, design, packaging, and quality assurance.
• Negotiate with suppliers to ensure cost efficiency, ethical sourcing, and resilience across our supply network.
• Optimize assortment and pricing strategies in collaboration with marketing and merchandising teams.
• Monitor performance of private label products using sales data, margin analysis, and customer feedback.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory standards, and sustainability goals.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams to foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Core Competencies

Communicate Effectively : Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.

Build Relationships : Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.

Stay Competitive : Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.

Embrace Change : Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.

Develop You : Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.

Drive for Results : Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

Leadership Competencies

Think Strategically : Create a compelling vision, develop a strategy and empower others to achieve it

Influence Others : The ability to effectively collaborate, inspire, persuade and align others

Drive Change : Create the vision and drive the momentum for change

Talent Planning : Build organizational and associate capability to achieve business goals

Take Accountability : Drive a culture of ownership throughout the organization

Inclusive Leadership : Role model inclusive leadership to leverage diversity

Company Perks

Vibrant Food Centric Culture

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision package

Competitive Salary and Paid Time Off

Fitness Reimbursement and Well-Being Program

Corporate Training and Development University

Collaborative team environment

Paid Parental Leave

401K

Matching Gifts and Community Volunteer Involvement