James Niquette
Cumberland,RI
Summary
Results-focused Merchant experienced in driving category growth and profitability. Skilled at building strong vendor relationships and driving negotiations. Proactive leader with great collaboration skills and data analysis insights. Proficient in mitigating inflation risks and creating strategies to optimize deflation. Managing concurrent objectives to promote efficiency and influence positive outcomes. Hardworking and reliable professional able to work collaboratively with cross functional teams and as an individual contributor.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Perishable Category Manager
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
Marlboro, MA
09.2014 - 01.2024
- Managed our Service Deli, Specialty Cheese, Packaged Deli and Food Court businesses for the last 2 years, prior to that I managed the Frozen Business for 9 years.
- Lead initial testing of Space Management projects, from concept to ROI presentations to management and post evaluations. Helped manage a cross functional team from conception, to project management and execution of concept. With initial projects adding over $50M in new sales within first full year of roll out.
- Worked with the Gap Partnership, Conlego and Bain organizations on developing new negotiation structures. Focusing on cost initiatives and increasing vendor funding to help drive value and engagement with our members. Over the last 2 years I was able to reduce costs by over 4.5% and increased funding by 6%
- Utilized new promotional software to established metrics for evaluating success of promotional activities within assigned categories.
- Utilized analytics software such as Excel, Tableau, and Circana IRI to track KPIs related to category performance.
Grocery Category Merchant
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
Marlboro, MA
08.2011 - 09.2014
- Responsible for managing our Sweeteners, Baking Needs, Spices, Condiments, Dressings and Oils categories
- At the time I took over these categories they had experienced two years of declining sales. Under my leadership I was able to return 4 years of progressive growth through a restructuring of everyday and rotational assortments.
- Utilized market data to identify opportunities to drive new sales: Healthy Living Program in our Baking Needs and Oils category which created an incremental $10MM in annual sales. Awarded our Entrepreneur of the year award for this program (2014)
- Created a Specialty Sauces and Gourmet spice program to include an off shelf merchandising plan with a cooking club demo program in club; these delivered an incremental $5.2MM in sales. Awarded our Exceeding Expectations award for these new initiatives (2013)
Perishables Merchant
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
Marlboro, MA
05.2006 - 08.2011
- Three years managing Prepared Foods & Cheese categories, prior to that I managed Seafood and Prepackaged Deli
- Performed detailed analysis of customer buying behavior as well as IRI and Nielson panel data in order to identify assortment gaps. Utilizing this data to develop a new product mix and rotational tests to drive member engagement in category
- Worked with our Own Brands team to develop Private Label programs to drive Loyalty and increase profitability within my categories.
Education
Skilled Negotiator Refresher -
THE GAP PARTNERSHIP
01.2019
Food Executive Program -
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
01.2016
Skilled Negotiator Program -
THE GAP PARTNERSHIP
01.2016
Associates of Science in Computer information Systems -
NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
01.2003
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -
BRYANT COLLEGE
01.1993
Skills
- Product Management
- Data Analytics
- Vendor Relations
- Marketing Coordination
- Merchandising Strategies
- Risk Mitigation
- Performance Optimization
- Process Development
- Cost-Reduction Strategies
Personal Information
Title: Merchandising Executive
Accomplishments
- Presidents - In the Arena Award
- Merchant of the year 2 times
- Exceeding Expectations Award 3 times
- Entrepreneur of the year
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Perishable Category Manager
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
09.2014 - 01.2024
Grocery Category Merchant
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
08.2011 - 09.2014
Perishables Merchant
BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB
05.2006 - 08.2011
Skilled Negotiator Refresher -
THE GAP PARTNERSHIP
Food Executive Program -
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Skilled Negotiator Program -
THE GAP PARTNERSHIP
Associates of Science in Computer information Systems -
NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -
BRYANT COLLEGE
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