Merchant Academy Manager at Woolworths

Main Purpose:

To lead and facilitate the development of competent, passionate and committed merchant retailers in the Food Business Unit by building leadership and functional competence through a learning capability that integrates business strategy, processes, systems and ways of working.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a Technical and Functional Learning Strategy in line with the Product Strategy and agreed Skills Plan.
• Lead the Foods Academy team to deliver the learning agenda
• Partner with functional Centres of Excellence to develop a training plan in line with business priorities.
• Provide input into the development of the BU Product Strategy and 1 year operating plan ito direction of skills focus and learning opportunities
• Develop and deliver training material/ courses as well as brief and work with outside teams/business's to develop and deliver training material and courses.
• Lead and upskill the business unit to adhere to Foods Business Cycle and critical path deliverables to drive a consistent way of working and effective execution.
• Lead a standardised approach to learning that drives performance consistently.
• Partner with HR and educational institutions to grow our pipeline.
• Partner with project teams and manage change and integration of training/upskilling into the Academy
• Manage and develop project content development aligned to Academy A+ standards as required
• Drive integration with Learning Academies in other business units and external universities etc to optimise the Learning Academy framework, maximise learning opportunities and leverage best practices across the business.
• Facilitate and ensure growth in technical and functional knowledge and capacity by enabling the assessment and feedback of learner competence through the use of accepted assessment methodologies and criteria.
• Being abreast of development, trends, best practices as input into the learning strategy
• Manage Merchant Academy expenses in line with budget.

Key Competencies:

• Extensive Retail knowledge both local and international
• Digital/Virtual learning experience advantageous
• Ability to formulate strategies and implement shorter-term tactical plans that are cost – effective, efficient and realistic
• Detailed understanding of the customer
• Detailed understanding of Foods Business Cycle and ways of working
• Understanding of competences and skills required for each buying group function (buying, planning, product development, merchandising and technology)
• Ability to network and engage with leadership partners and various integration partners across the business to facilitate the design and development of appropriate and relevant training interventions and material.
• Knowledge of lead times to formulate and manage critical path(s)
• Technically strong merchandising skills
• Working knowledge of SETA requirements
• Facilitation skills
• Strong Commercial Acumen/Merchant Mindset
• 10 years retail experience in product and process knowledge
• 5 years in leadership position