Head of Commercial - Merchandise

About the team Things move quickly here at Foodies, and our Merchandise team is no exception. This is the team that connects the product to the customer – decisions around range, pricing, promotions, and how we show up on the shelf. From partnering with suppliers to digging into the data, we’re always striving to deliver better value and better experiences for our customers. We're an ambitious bunch who value clarity, accountability and follow-through, and in a nutshell, would describe our business as a high performance culture. We’ve got some real momentum heading into 2027 and are looking for people passionate about shaping how we win and grow together. Join us and feed the South. About the role As our Head of Merchandise Commercial, you'll lead the function that helps turn commercial ambition into commercial performance. Your team of eight provides the insight, analysis, financial rigour and commercial support that enable our Merchandise teams to deliver targets across our South Island PAK'nSAVE, New World and Four Square banners. As a member of the Merchandise Leadership Team, you'll help shape strategic direction while ensuring the commercial disciplines that sit behind category performance are strong, consistent and focused on value creation. Working across Merchandise, Retail, Finance and Supply Chain, you'll identify opportunities, influence decisions and help drive outcomes that deliver greater value for customers, stronger category performance and sustainable growth for the co-operative. Key Accountabilities Lead the commercial performance of the Merchandise function, ensuring strong financial outcomes, category performance and value creation across our banners. Partner with Heads of Business to provide the insight, analysis and commercial support needed to deliver category and business objectives. Lead trade budgeting, forecasting and performance disciplines that support informed decision-making and drive accountability for results. Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance, strengthen ways of working and maximise value for customers and the co-operative. Lead, develop and coach a high-performing Commercial team capable of supporting current and future business needs. About You Commercially sharp and naturally curious, you're comfortable working with complexity, challenging thinking and turning insights into actions that make a real difference. You combine strategic perspective with commercial discipline, earning credibility through sound judgement. Your resilience helps you in a robust and fast-paced environment. You challenge thoughtfully and your ability to influence decisions is the key to drive measurable performance. You'll also bring: Experience leading teams within a commercial FMCG, retail or merchandise environment. A track record of translating commercial opportunities into measurable business results. The ability to influence, challenge and build alignment across a broad range of senior stakeholders. Strong commercial and financial acumen, supported by sound judgement and decision-making. Experience developing high-performing teams and creating an environment where people can thrive. A CA qualification is desirable, although we're equally interested in leaders who have built deep commercial and financial expertise through their experience. How to apply: If this role feels like the right next step for you, we'd love to hear from you. Click Apply to submit your application through our careers site. Applications will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 18 October and will only be accepted via our careers site. If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email careers@foodstuffs-si.co.nz. What we offer Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives. We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few. We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, access to online wellbeing tools, and a prayer and privacy room onsite. We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities. We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by Furry Friend Fridays and monthly social events! We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength. Our Papanui based office has free carparking, an in-house café. About Us We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 160 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island. We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau. Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.