Article Leader

We believe we can make life a little better every day – one smile, hoagie, or experience at a time. And there’s one secret ingredient that truly sets Wawa apart: Our Associates. At Wawa, you’ll be part of a caring team that’s dedicated to helping all of us fly high – together. We’re team players, day-brighteners, and go-getters: and we know that Wawa is a place where we can build skills to thrive and open doors to new career opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of a winning team of Associate owners who shape our success. We’re committed to helping our communities and one another at every turn, because we know that when we fly together, there’s no limit to how far we can go. Ready to be part of a team that helps you reach new heights? Join our flock and get ready to soar.

Job Description

Job Title: Article Leader

Location: Corporate

Department: Marketing

Job Summary:  The Article Leader owns and oversees the end-to-end Article Lifecycle Management process and the product data contained within. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, partnering with Marketing category teams to gather and understand requirements for each article, developing consistent and successful article set-up processes, and managing internal/vendor communication. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and evolving efficiencies across all shared processes throughout the article lifecycle. This role will work cross functionally to ensure alignment and communication of all article execution and maintenance, including IT/Master Data Management (MDM), Supply Chain, Finance, Forecasting & Replenishment (F&R), and vendor networks.

Principal Duties:

• Drive the full end to end article set up process and execution by working closely with Marketing Assortment Managers to execute assortment plans and strategies that meet organizational requirements. 
• Based on communication from Category team:
  • Lead the new article setup process through Stibo working with vendor networks to ensure all necessary data are accurately captured per category requirements to ensure proper receiving and sales at store level. Ensure vendors are compliant with specifications as required, taking action as necessary.
  • Initiate new article setup process for Wawa branded items ensuring all requirements are met for reporting and cross functional needs.
  • Recognize and anticipate required nuances for each article (including, but not limited to category specific attributes, brand families, foodservice recipe requirements, supply chain requirements, and manufacturer identifiers) and identify the specific requirements for each to ensure accurate entry into SAP/Stibo.
  • Accountable for product changes and maintenance of article data integrity of all Article requirements provided for entry into SAP/Stibo. 
• Manage all product data and maintain attributes for product hierarchy during new article setup to ensure data are accurate and consistent per industry standard, to include GDSN integration.
• Support MDM team with data enrichment in both SAP/Stibo during the Stibo implementation for new categories to ensure all categories are transitioned and onboarded to Stibo successfully.
• Have a working knowledge and in depth understanding of the Stibo system.  Serve as a liaison to and assist vendors, Marketing teams and cross-functional partners (including but not limited to supply chain, finance, & tax) with navigation and utilization of the Stibo tool.
• Understand the impact that the Article requirements have on the business and make decisions and adjustments based on these impacts.
• Review, research, analyze, and resolve any article setup issues with internal support teams (Retail Articles, MDM, McLane, Space Planning, etc.).  Develop and document procedures to guide resolution process.
• Follow up with Contact Center and cross-functional partners to resolve Contact Center tickets and develop solutions to reduce similar calls.
• Serve as data steward and point person for digital governance and future MDM / IT initiatives that will require article expertise and navigation.  Work with the business to gather enhancement and additional data requests and implement those enhancements.
• Import new and updated article images and dimensions from 3rd party provider to Blue Yonder (JDA) and designated share folders, including the auto feed of article information, to support accurate planograms and digital menu listing, in partnership with category space planners. Follow-up with vendors for missing information as needed.
• In partnership with category space planners, lead the packaged goods digital menu reset calendar process and partner cross-functionally to ensure menu authoring deadlines can be met.
• Provide emergency/back-up listing support for category space planners in Blue Yonder (JDA); update and post planograms as needed Proactively identify and create efficiencies through process improvements, system enhancements, and automation opportunities to build on and enhance existing article set up and packaged goods digital menu management processes.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities & work independently.
• Detail oriented and excellent organizational skills as others will rely on the accuracy of work output to make key decisions
• Process focus solution oriented work style
• Excellent ability to meet deadlines and prioritize projects
• Work collaboratively with cross functional teams
• Ability to independently gather information from various sources and synthesize large inputs of data.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• SAP knowledge strongly preferred.
• Stibo knowledge strongly preferred
• Blue Yonder (JDA) space planning tool experience a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft suites, with advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• 2-3 years of marketing experience. Experience in foodservice or consumer packaged goods preferred.  (retail experience preferred)
• Experience in process based work in a cross functional role.

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at .

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.