SAS Director Space and Assortment

As a cross-functional leader, the SAS Director Space and Assortment collaborates with internal executives, retailer stakeholders, and client leadership to align space and assortment initiatives with broader objectives. The role demands a forward-thinking, results-oriented professional with deep expertise in space management tools and methodologies, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence enterprise-wide decision-making. In addition to leading strategy and execution, the Director is accountable for advancing process innovation, evolving best practices, and ensuring the team delivers scalable, customer-centric solutions. Through strategic vision, operational oversight, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the SAS Director Space and Assortment plays a pivotal role in maximizing ROI and shaping the future of retail merchandising for Advantage and its partners.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with company and customer leadership to identify, deploy, and optimize team resources in support of retailer assortment and space planning initiatives, ensuring alignment with business needs and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Lead and support the development and retention of a high-performing team of space and assortment planners by utilizing enterprise hiring, training, and professional development resources; while providing ongoing mentorship, motivation, and career growth opportunities, partnering closely with any ‘onsite’ management.
• Identify and pursue revenue opportunities by building strong client relationships, developing and presenting proposals, and securing new and ongoing billable work.
• Oversee high-impact projects and ensure quality execution by identifying key opportunities, reviewing team deliverables, and maintaining high standards across space and assortment planning work.
• Oversee project schedules and track resource utilization, continuously assessing workflows to drive efficiency and improve service delivery.
• Leverage data-driven insights and planogram tools to uncover client opportunities, guide/support team exploration, and develop scalable best practices for internal use and cross-divisional alignment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports
- Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports
- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements
- Travel and driving are not essential duties or functions of this job 

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required) Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience   

Field of Study/Area of Experience: 
- 8-10 years of experience in Retail experience; mastery of space management technology
- 5+ years proven leadership experience required

Experience in data analysis or a related field, with a strong understanding of space and assortment planning.

Prior experience with planograms or floorplans is required.

Background in merchandising and leadership experience preferred.

Experience in/with category decision-making or planning is a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Experience or knowledge of planogram/floorplan software, background in merchandising a plus
Professional understanding of Microsoft Office apps (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Sharepoint)
Proficient with data analysis, and/or using data and insights to support goals
Advanced organization and multitasking skills
Previous leadership experience required
Advanced communication skills

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with company and customer leadership to identify, deploy, and optimize team resources in support of retailer assortment and space planning initiatives, ensuring alignment with business needs and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Lead and support the development and retention of a high-performing team of space and assortment planners by utilizing enterprise hiring, training, and professional development resources; while providing ongoing mentorship, motivation, and career growth opportunities, partnering closely with any ‘onsite’ management.
• Identify and pursue revenue opportunities by building strong client relationships, developing and presenting proposals, and securing new and ongoing billable work.
• Oversee high-impact projects and ensure quality execution by identifying key opportunities, reviewing team deliverables, and maintaining high standards across space and assortment planning work.
• Oversee project schedules and track resource utilization, continuously assessing workflows to drive efficiency and improve service delivery.
• Leverage data-driven insights and planogram tools to uncover client opportunities, guide/support team exploration, and develop scalable best practices for internal use and cross-divisional alignment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports
- Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports
- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements
- Travel and driving are not essential duties or functions of this job 

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required) Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience   

Field of Study/Area of Experience: 
- 8-10 years of experience in Retail experience; mastery of space management technology
- 5+ years proven leadership experience required

Experience in data analysis or a related field, with a strong understanding of space and assortment planning.

Prior experience with planograms or floorplans is required.

Background in merchandising and leadership experience preferred.

Experience in/with category decision-making or planning is a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Experience or knowledge of planogram/floorplan software, background in merchandising a plus
Professional understanding of Microsoft Office apps (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Sharepoint)
Proficient with data analysis, and/or using data and insights to support goals
Advanced organization and multitasking skills
Previous leadership experience required
Advanced communication skills

Environmental & Physical Requirements:
Office / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.  Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.  

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law.  The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.