Michael Helmick
Gilbert,AZ
Summary
Category strategy leader with 15+ years of experience across grocery retail merchandising and analytics. Uses advanced data analysis to identify opportunities, improve product assortment, and support achievement of sales targets. Improves store layout and product visibility to enhance customer flow and satisfaction. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Specialist
Keurig Dr Pepper
Phoenix, AZ
04.2026 - Current
- Merchandise and maintain Keurig Dr Pepper products across multiple retail locations to ensure strong in-store execution and brand visibility.
- Build and replenish displays while maintaining shelf organization, pricing accuracy, and product availability.
- Partner with store leadership to support promotional initiatives, improve product placement, and maximize sales opportunities.
- Monitor inventory levels and identify opportunities to improve merchandising effectiveness and customer experience.
Grocery Manager
Fry's Food Stores
Phoenix, AZ
10.2025 - 04.2026
- Oversaw daily operations of a high-volume grocery department including merchandising, inventory management, and operational standards.
- Led and developed a team of 25+ employees, improving productivity, accountability, and service performance.
- Managed ordering, stock levels, and shrink reduction initiatives to support sales growth and profitability.
- Collaborated with store leadership to improve department performance and customer experience.
Category Space Analyst
Acosta
Phoenix, AZ
06.2019 - 10.2025
- Led a team of five analysts delivering syndicated data insights and category performance reporting for major grocery retail partners.
- Analyzed retail performance using NielsenIQ and internal datasets to identify assortment, placement, and promotional opportunities.
- Utilized space planning software to create effective floor layouts, optimizing product placement and customer flow.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as marketing, finance, supply chain to ensure alignment across departments.
- Delivered insights contributing to estimated 6-8% growth in targeted product segments across key grocery accounts.
- Partnered with category managers, vendors, and retail stakeholders to translate analytics into actionable merchandising strategies.
- Developed reports and presentations for senior stakeholders on category performance, trends and insights.
Assistant Grocery Manager
Sprouts Farmers Market
Phoenix, AZ
04.2018 - 06.2019
- Supervised grocery department operations including ordering, inventory management, and merchandising execution.
- Trained and coached team members improving operational accuracy and productivity.
- Ensured department execution aligned with corporate merchandising and category strategies.
Merchandising Manager
Amalgamated Food Brokerage
Phoenix, AZ
10.2015 - 05.2017
- Supported merchandising execution across 250+ retail locations for resets, launches, and promotional campaigns.
- Coordinated vendor communications and product placement with brokerage and store teams.
- Built strong retailer relationships to increase product visibility and shelf space.
- Helped improve promotional compliance and execution to drive incremental category sales.
Merchandiser
Chompie's
Phoenix, AZ
12.2010 - 10.2015
- Expanded grocery account revenue from $60K to $600K within two years through strategic merchandising and account development.
- Executed ordering, merchandising, and display strategies increasing product visibility and sales.
- Partnered with store managers and buyers to maximize promotional opportunities.
- Regularly monitored store shelves to ensure product availability, restocking and rotating merchandise as needed.
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment at all times.
Education
A.A. - General Studies
Glendale Community College
Glendale, AZ05-2026
GED -
Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ01.2006
Skills
- Retail insights and data analysis
- Syndicated data analysis
- Category strategy and optimization
- Merchandising strategy
- Vendor negotiation and partnerships
- Team leadership and development
- Excel and Google Sheets
- Power BI
- Basic SQL
- Space planning software
- Category analysis
- Project management
- Inventory management
- Customer service and support
- Promotional events
Timeline
Retail Specialist
Keurig Dr Pepper
04.2026 - Current
Grocery Manager
Fry's Food Stores
10.2025 - 04.2026
Category Space Analyst
Acosta
06.2019 - 10.2025
Assistant Grocery Manager
Sprouts Farmers Market
04.2018 - 06.2019
Merchandising Manager
Amalgamated Food Brokerage
10.2015 - 05.2017
Merchandiser
Chompie's
12.2010 - 10.2015
A.A. - General Studies
Glendale Community College
GED -
Estrella Mountain Community College