Yin Yang Naturals strives to build a meaningful, welcoming and equitable workplace, inclusive and supportive of diverse voices, experiences and perspectives. YYN is an equal opportunity employer and an anti-racist company. Survivors, parents, Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
YYN is a well respected independent Natural Products brokerage with offices nationwide, representing a range of natural and organic brands in the marketplace. YYN brokers and merchandisers facilitate partnerships between brands, retailers and distributors. Our approach is Kaizen, or continuous improvement, for both ourselves and our partners.
YYN's mission is to help fulfill the dreams of our principal brands, provide meaningful careers to our team members, and give back to the communities in which we serve. We are a Certified B Corporation, meaning we meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
We are seeking a Merchandising Specialist in the San Francisco Bay Area.
POSITION: Merchandising Specialist (NorCal)
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Proactive & Regular Communication: Ongoing and timely communication with YYN team and principals. Prioritize responding to principals within 24 hours.
2. Field Performance:
- Visit all stores on the frequency and cadence agreed upon with your supervisor (customized by territory). Work to improve placement of products: eye-level, brand blocking, adding facings/increasing shelf space, color breaking, changing SKU flow, etc.
- Prioritizing top brands, new items, promotional execution, but touching all brands during each visit.
- Help store buyers restock shelves during store visits.
- Ensure out-of-stock SKUs are reordered immediately (via turnover or scanning sell sheets) when available.
- Report to YYN team and principals with before/after pics from each store visit.
3. Fill voids per planogram as permitted by stores/HQ.
4. Kaizen: Seek out and implement improvements in set for brand, with store approval.
5. Request/shoot and place missing price tags to maximize promotional spend.
6. If secondary set is secured (see below), ensure price and sale tags get placed.
7. Rotate product to ensure shortest code date is in front to avoid store spoilage.
8. Restock shelf if back stock is available to ensure every sale is captured.
9. Confirm retailer execution for off-shelf agreements and TPR price points.
10. Place IRCs to help move product (close to expiration, slower selling SKUs, etc.).
11. Increase brand exposure and build recognition by placing shelf talkers, window clings, shelf strips, etc., when allowed by stores.
12. Handout IRCs to store staff and customers to encourage trial.
13. Report defective product found on shelf to maintain quality standards and avoid a negative customer experience.
14. Build store staff loyalty by strategically handing out swag (t-shirts, beanies, samples).
15. Take pictures of ads in flyers and in-store signage to confirm execution by retailer.
16. Track and record activity via Repsly field software. Client will have full access and up to the minute status (includes pictures, notes, location stamps, etc.).
17. Work closely with YYN team to coordinate displays, deals, resets, cut-ins, ride-a-longs, etc.
18. Secure secondary placement: e.g. cold drink box, salad bar top, side stack, case stack, coffee bar, slat wall, meat counter, barrel/bins, etc., to increase points of exposure and buying opportunities.
19. Secure Rack/Shipper placement to bring attention and increase impulse purchase.
20. Ensure stores order in extra product for demos by physically getting to place an order at least two days beforehand to avoid wasted dollars on demos due to insufficient product on shelf.
21. Regular check-ins referencing OKR's and discuss successes, challenges, and brainstorm opportunities with supervisor.
22. Uphold Yin Yang Naturals social and environmental values, including prioritizing 40 hours of volunteer work per year, buying local whenever possible, and being environmentally conscious in home office setup and travel decisions in the field.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Ability to achieve results in a fast-paced and at times stressful environment.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient with technology and capable of learning new skills quickly.
- Ability to work independently and solve problems proactively.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must have a working, fully insured vehicle and be able to travel independently.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. independently and crouch or kneel for prolonged periods of time.
- Must be able to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, and ramps.
- May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
COVERAGE AREA
Primary coverage area will be San Francisco, Oakland, South Bay, and surrounding areas. Store level support to include: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Lunardi's, and other key accounts in need of merchandising and audit assistance in the greater San Francisco area
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports directly to NorCal Regional Manager, with additional support from the Director of Merchandising.
SALARY RANGE
$19.25 to $23.79/hour, depending on experience. Eligible for overtime with prior approval from supervisor.
Option to qualify for Senior Merchandising Specialist with 2 years of relevant experience: $21.63 to $29.08/hour
This is a full-time salaried position (DOE). We offer a competitive benefits package including:
- Full medical, dental, and vision premiums paid for our employees and their dependents
- Eleven paid holidays (plus a week off between Christmas and New Year's)
- 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar matching
- Paid parental and grandparental leave
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off for volunteering
- Tuition assistance and reimbursement for relevant programs
- Wellness stipend
- Participation in a 4 Day Work Week Program
- Quarterly bonuses based on performance
Requirements:
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently (reliable transportation required)
- Willingness and ability to work flexible hours (overnights/early mornings)
- Positive attitude
- Excellent attention to detail
- Experience and skill with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Interest in organic food and products
Please send your resume and cover letter for consideration. Thank you.
Yin Yang Naturals proudly provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, pregnancy, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.