Are you a strategic leader with a passion for optimizing inventory and driving strategic improvements? We’re looking for a Senior Team Leader of Seafood Inventory Planning to guide our order management functions and elevate our distribution strategy. In this role, you’ll lead a talented team, collaborate with key stakeholders, and spearhead initiatives that enhance our inventory planning, third-party seafood distribution network, and support our mission of delivering exceptional customer experiences.  

This role will require up to 15-20% of travel. 

Location: Austin, TX – This role is based in Austin, TX with an expectation of 3 days a week in the Store Support office.  

Responsibilities: 

• Champion Financial Success: Take the reins on managing the financial performance of our high-impact, high-volume categories, ensuring they thrive and deliver exceptional results. 

• Elevate Customer Experience: Collaborate closely with our Merchandising leadership to optimize inventory management and maintain top-notch in-stock rates, enhancing our customers' shopping experiences. 

• Drive Innovation in Distribution: Partner with leadership to create and implement cutting-edge systems and practices for our 3rd party distribution network, setting new standards of efficiency and reliability. 

• Optimize Partner Performance: Lead the evaluation of our 3rd party distribution partners, using your insights to provide coaching and drive continuous improvement. 

• Forecast with Precision: Work alongside the Category Management and Procurement Teams to accurately forecast both regular and promotional product needs, ensuring we meet market demands seamlessly. 

• Build Strategic Relationships: Forge and nurture strong connections with key local suppliers, driving the ongoing enhancement of our seafood distribution network. 

• Translate Plans into Action: Collaborate with stakeholders to turn assortment plans into effective merchandising strategies and planograms. 

• Bridge Analytical Gaps: Identify and address gaps in analytical processes and reporting, working across teams to develop robust solutions. 

• Lead Negotiations: Serve as the key point of contact for 3rd party distribution partners, managing delivery schedules, troubleshooting challenges, and leading contract negotiations. 

• Negotiate with Impact: Oversee and integrate vendor negotiations and cost justifications, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals. 

• Be a Subject Matter Expert: Establish yourself as a leading authority within the seafood leadership team, offering strategic insights and guidance. 

• Inspire Your Team: Lead, mentor, and develop the Seafood Inventory Planner Team, driving performance improvements and career growth. 

• Strategic Planning: Maintain accountability for financial outcomes through proactive pre-season strategy and planning, ensuring your categories excel. 

Skills: 

• Dynamic Leadership: Provide ongoing, visionary leadership to meet goals, deadlines, and budgets, while ensuring alignment with our mission and values. 

• Strategic Alignment: Ensure team objectives and initiatives reflect the organization’s vision and adapt as business needs evolve. 

• Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, strategic relationships with senior-level stakeholders both internally and externally, driving impactful conversations. 

• Analytical Excellence: Detect and resolve gaps in understanding, delivering compelling communication and actionable insights. 

• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and threats in processes, supply chain, and market trends, developing strategies to mitigate them. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with category and business leaders to enhance business sustainability through strategic adjustments. 

• Data-Driven Improvement: Use data-driven insights to refine processes and projects, ensuring continuous enhancement and operational excellence. 

• Holistic Understanding: Demonstrate a thorough understanding of Whole Foods Market’s core business, supply chain, and customer interactions, assessing impacts on competitive positioning and long-term success. 

Education & Experience: 

• Degree: BA/BS in a relevant field or equivalent experience. 

• Experience: 6-8 years of relevant experience with 2-4 years in a leadership role.