Perishable Retail Merch Specialist - Northern VA

Purpose:

The Perishable Retailer Merchandising Specialist is responsible for increasing Perishable Sales through merchandising, ordering education and food safety compliance. This role works directly with UNFI Sales team, customers category management and store-level teams to ensure they are executing resets, managing inventory, supporting new store openings, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The specialist is responsible for product placement, cross-merchandising, seasonal execution and vendor coordination, while maintaining Serv Safe standards and leveraging trend insights to influence assortment and presentation for the department.

The specialist will assist in educating the store department managers and deli counter clerks on product details/uses and best-in-class merchandising tactics for the department. This role is critical in collaborating with the sales team to achieve the objective of building out the store and driving sales.

• Lead perishable merchandising efforts, including new item placement, resets, remodels, new store sets; ensure proper equipment orders placed, signage completed and product placement.
• Conduct daily store audits to identify inventory needs, voids and opportunities. Assist perishable department with product ordering as needed. Report findings to customers and internal teams.
• Train and educate customer Perishable staff on SOP’s, ordering systems, product education and merchandising standards; provide follow-up support as needed.
• Manage in-and-out items, test sets, and seasonal programs; ensure execution and visibility across stores. Collaborate with corporate perishable teams to cross-merchandise products (e.g., olive bar, grab-and-go, tabletop displays).
• Support grand openings by coordinating orders, building displays, training staff and ensuring full readiness. Attend and support trade shows, seasonal events and promotional launches with full authority over set up and execution of show.
• Report competitive information and category trends to appropriate Sales Team members and corporate customer contact.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma required.
• Serv Safe certification preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance meeting UNFI.

• 3+ years in Perishable, grocery, or food merchandising.
• Experience with resets, new store openings, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong background in food safety and customer service.

• Deep understanding of Perishable operations and product assortment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to lead merchandising efforts independently.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and merchandising tools.
• Ability to travel and work across multiple store locations.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

• Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 lbs., including boxes of product, promotional materials, and merchandising components.
• Ability to drive to and from customer accounts in city, rural, and expressway conditions, including during periods of inclement weather.
• Ability to set up in‑store displays, fixtures, shelving, and product, including tasks such as:
  • Using hand and finger dexterity to manipulate small parts, shelf clips, rack fittings, peg hooks, and signage materials
  • Assembling…