The Assistant Store Manager - Merchandising successfully develops store specific action plans and directs all activities within the store, ensuring that merchandising standards and performance targets are achieved and priorities are aligned with overall store and company strategy.

Joining NWCI gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWCI is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.


Key Accountabilities:

Develop merchandising action plans that achieve planned profitability, sales, and controllable expense targets
• Communicate and ensure plan is understood by store merchandising team
• Meet or exceed budget targets on labor and overhead costs
• Direct employees in the execution of merchandising plan assuring in-stock
  position, accurate pricing, code dating compliance, and overall sales floor
  maintenance
• Ensure merchandise is presented according to standards (plan-o-grams) to
  achieve maximum sales and profits
• Maintain knowledge and communicate competitive market information and comp
  shops to Category Managers
• Assist Store Manager in gathering data and compiling information to facilitate
  weekly, monthly and annual reporting

Ensure proper receipt and storage of inventory
• Manage the receipt of inventory process to ensure accurate and timely
  procedures are in place
• Review and make certain that all forklift drivers are properly trained and certified
• Ensure the overall compliance by forklift drivers of the safe movement of
  merchandise
• Ensure the overall compliance by staff that all merchandise is properly stored in
  reserve space or in selling space
• Manage interaction with local vendors including ordering, verification, billing of
  merchandise and execution of payment

Perform any tasks assigned by Store Manager or Regional Manager
• Follow instructions promptly and efficiently, taking initiative when appropriate
• Adjusts positively to change in direction or assignment; proven ability to comply 
  quickly with new programs, methods, practices and procedures

Employee staffing, training and development
• Recruit, interview, and hire merchandising staff
• Prepare and post weekly department staff schedules assuring that the     
  appropriate staffing levels are met on a daily/weekly basis to meet the needs of
  the business. This includes consideration needed for meal periods, vacations etc.
• Develop, and adjust as necessary, short and long term staffing strategies based
  on assessment of merchandising and receiving staffing needs, labor budgets,
  and labor costs
• Ensure all employees understand job responsibilities, company policies, safety
  and sanitation standards, and expectations of performance
• Evaluate, hold accountable and review performance of merchandising staff. Set
  goals for next review period, recommend wage changes and promotions, utilize 
  appropriate discipline and counseling and make appropriate termination
  decisions in accordance with company policies and only after consultation with
  Corporate Human Resources
• Coach employees to improve and maximize performance, commitment to quality
   work and commitment to the company
• Develop employees for advancement within the company

Overall Store Management and Policy Compliance
• Be a Cost U Less CEO (Customer Experience Owner)
• Assist Store Manager in planning, assigning, and prioritizing work
• Review all weekly and monthly reports and documents pertaining to store sales,
  customer service, vendor deliveries, shrinkage, and register transactions
• In conjunction with store management team, enforce company policy against
  unlawful harassment, discrimination (Respectful Workplace policy) and workplace
  violence
• In conjunction with store management team, maintain knowledge and
  understanding of local labor/safety laws and requirements
• In conjunction with store management team, monitor and improve the customer
  service and satisfaction level within the store on a continuous basis
• In conjunction with store management team, ensure 100% compliance regarding
  appropriate attire and wearing name badge by staff
• In conjunction with store management team, certify that all alarms, security
  cameras, and all entrances and exits are properly secured and monitored
• Assist with the overall supervision of the store as directed by the Store Manager
  and/or in the absence of the Store Manager or the Manager on Duty (MoR)
• Issues, concerns, and emergencies outside of this position’s accountability must
   be escalated to the next level of authority.
• Participate in semi-annual financial/physical inventory

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 2 (two) years big box/warehouse club/high volume supermarket
  merchandise management experience
• Demonstration of improved sales and profit performance in previous roles
• Previous experience managing subordinate management and supervisory level
  staff
• Intermediate knowledge and ability using MS Office 2007 and above
• Intermediate computer abilities
• Previous retail or hospitality experience a must
• High School or Secondary School diploma or a combination of experience and
  education required
• Ability to meet all country or region immigration regulations and have valid
  documents to meet these qualifications
• Basic math and reading skills a must
• Able to work well on own or within a team
• Self-motivated to work quickly and efficiently to complete the entire task within
   time limits
• Able to correctly manage time to meet deadlines and targets and to manage
  subordinates to do the same
• Ability to quickly adapt to new working environments, situations, and cultures
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and
  analyze information properly; develop alternative solutions and us reason even
  when dealing with emotional topics or situations
• Previous experience with a fork lift and pallet jacks a plus
• Customer focused in merchandise presentation and service levels throughout the
   store
• Able to build an accountable and effective team
• Effective communicator both orally and in writing; able to listen effectively
• Ability to write and present routine reports and correspondence
• Great customer service skills
• Able to build and maintain an accountable and effective team
• Ability to communicate in the language of the region
• Ability to work and assist departmental personnel in the performance of all work
  activities
• Ability to memorize the outlay of the store and location of merchandise to assist
  customers

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to pass Drug Test to be eligible for hire and any subsequent drug
  tests requested by Company Management
• Able to stoop and bend on a regular basis
• Ability to work in varying conditions from heat to cool
• Fast paced work environment
• Ability to work flexible hours, shifts and days including morning to evening,
  weekends, overnight and public holidays
• Ability to cover for other managers when needed for their leaves or other
  circumstances
• Ability to lift and or move 50 pounds

Work Location: St. Croix, USVI
Reports To: Store Manager

Positions will be advertised externally; however internal candidates will receive first consideration based on qualifications. NWC employees are encouraged to bring forward applications of external candidates that meet the qualifications of this position.

NOTE: If an existing employee is selected for a posted position they will be required to remain in that position a minimum of one year prior to applying for other posted positions unless authorized by their current supervisor. New employees to the company must also remain in their position a minimum of one year prior to applying for posted positions unless authorized by their supervisor. This position adheres to the Corporate Job Posting Guidelines.


A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.