Aaron Gray
Lone Tree,CO
Summary
Accomplished Replenishment Manager with a proven track record at Albertsons Companies, adept in category management and fostering team building. Spearheaded initiatives achieving significant cost savings while enhancing supplier relationships. Excelled in strategic planning and process improvement, driving category performance and ensuring high-quality product delivery. Demonstrated expertise in sales and operations planning, alongside a commitment to continuous learning and collaboration.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Replenishment Manager, Produce & Floral
Albertsons Companies
02.2024 - Current
- Lead and manage a team of 6 Produce Buyers and 2 Quality Assurance personnel, servicing 127 grocery stores in Colorado and surrounding states.
- Built strong relationships with internal stakeholders to align on priorities and manage expectations effectively.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning among the replenishment team through skill development and knowledge sharing.
- Created a collaborative work environment by fostering open communication between team members and departments involved in the replenishment process.
- Negotiated favorable terms with suppliers, achieving cost savings while maintaining quality standards.
Associate Category Manager
US Foods
12.2021 - 01.2024
- Managed a $1.6 billion product assortment of frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, driving category performance through data-driven analysis and strategic vendor partnerships.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including finance, supply chain, and marketing to support the achievement of overall company objectives.
- Analyzed SKU-level performance on an ongoing basis to inform assortment optimization decisions based on sales velocity, margin contribution, and consumer feedback data points.
- Optimized category activities including product assortment, pricing strategies, and vendor negotiations, including RFP and RFI processes.
- Ensured consistent delivery of high-quality products by establishing rigorous quality control measures across vendors and suppliers.
Senior Produce Buyer
US Foods
09.2017 - 12.2021
- Ordered produce products and maintained appropriate back stock levels. for 5 produce redistribution centers located strategically across the U.S.
- Leveraged strong analytical skills to evaluate sales performance data, identifying areas for growth opportunities within the fresh produce category.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes for informed purchasing choices, maximizing gross margin potential across various categories of produce.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between departments such as logistics, marketing, and operations to ensure seamless execution of procurement strategies.
Assistant Store Director
Marianos Fresh Market
02.2014 - 10.2017
- Managed daily operations of a 60 Mil Annual in sales store, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures as well as local, state, and federal regulations governing retail operations.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas for improvement and acknowledging exceptional work contributions.
- Partnered with store director to interview, hire, train, and develop department managers and team members to build and sustain high in-store performance.
- Empowered 270+ employees through ongoing coaching and development opportunities leading to higher productivity.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing And Sales
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL05-2013
Skills
- Sales and operations planning
- Category management
- Team building
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Private label development
Timeline
Replenishment Manager, Produce & Floral
Albertsons Companies
02.2024 - Current
Associate Category Manager
US Foods
12.2021 - 01.2024
Senior Produce Buyer
US Foods
09.2017 - 12.2021
Assistant Store Director
Marianos Fresh Market
02.2014 - 10.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing And Sales
Northern Illinois University