Who We Are

The Raley’s Companies is a private, family-owned, and purpose-driven retail company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Since our founding in 1935, our store operations have grown to include more than 235 locations across four states and four Tribal Nations under eight well-known banners: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, Raley’s O-N-E Market, Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods and Bashas’ Diné Market. In addition, The Raley’s Companies bridges the divide between the physical and digital retail experiences through the operation of Apium Logistics, Fieldera and FieldTRUE. Built on a higher purpose, the organization and our over 21,000 employees are committed to quality offerings, exceptional service and doing right by our team members, communities, and planet. 

Today, the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Raley’s O-N-E Market banners carry on Tom’s legacy of innovation by serving as more than grocery stores. Our purpose of changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time, has made Raley’s a trusted source for nutrition and wellness. We strive to enhance transparency and education in the food system to help customers make more informed, healthy food choices. We also serve as the destination for the best fresh products, affordable offerings, and personalized service.

Position Purpose

As our Director of Fresh, you will lead the strategic direction and execution of our fresh categories—including produce, meat, seafood, and floral—across all banners. You will drive innovation, product transformation, and vendor partnerships to deliver exceptional quality, value, and customer experience. In this role, you will oversee a cross-functional team responsible for procurement, merchandising, and category performance, ensuring alignment with our purpose and long-range business goals.

• Competitive compensation, paid weekly 
• 20% annual incentive eligiblity
• Work with and lead a motivated and inspired team 
• This role is on-site and final candidate must reside in California.
• Paid vacation, sick days and holidays 
• 401K Program, including company contributions and matching funds 
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for yourself and eligible dependents 
• Family leave 
• 10% discount on groceries 
• Employee discounts on event/sports tickets, gym memberships, mobile phone plans, etc. 
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualified courses 
• Scholarship opportunities for continued education 
• Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax commuter, childcare, and medical expenses) 
• Dependent Care 
• Life Insurance 
• Charitable contribution opportunity and volunteer time off and community events 
• Employee Assistance Program (free financial, legal, and mental health services) 
• Pop-up store on site with free fruit, kombucha, among other treats 

The range displayed reflects the range the company reasonably expects to pay for the position and will vary depending on the location. The actual compensation offered to the selected individual(s) will depend on their relevant education, training, or experience, among other bona fide factors.

What You'll Do & How You'll Make a Difference 

Fresh Strategy & Merchandising Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of long-term merchandising strategies for fresh categories.
• Drive innovation in product assortment, quality, and presentation to differentiate Raley’s in the marketplace.
• Oversee category planning, pricing, promotions, and marketing campaigns to achieve sales, margin, and market share goals.
• Collaborate with Store Operations, Marketing, Loyalty, and eCommerce to deliver a seamless customer experience.

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Direct the procurement process for all fresh categories, ensuring quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Build and maintain strategic vendor relationships to drive performance, investment, and innovation.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and promotional funding to optimize profitability and value.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality control, and sustainability standards.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Oversee the analysis of sales trends, consumer behavior, and competitive insights to inform strategy.
• Utilize internal and syndicated data (e.g., NIQ, Nielsen) to evaluate performance and identify opportunities.
• Lead forecasting, promotional lift analysis, and margin optimization initiatives.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Category Managers, Analysts, and Coordinators.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional teams across merchandising, supply chain, finance, and store support.
• Represent Raley’s in industry forums, vendor meetings, and trade events.

Who You Are

• A strategic thinker with deep expertise in fresh merchandising and procurement.
• Passionate about delivering high-quality, innovative fresh offerings to customers.
• A collaborative leader who inspires and empowers teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Data-savvy and results-driven, with strong analytical and financial acumen.
• An excellent communicator and negotiator with a track record of building strong vendor partnerships.
• Comfortable navigating a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.

Must Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in retail food business management, with a focus on fresh categories.
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and vendor relationships.
• Strong knowledge of merchandising, supply chain, and inventory planning.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and retail systems (e.g., SAP, Nielsen).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel frequently.

Permanent residency in California is a condition of employment for this position. This means a job offer may be denied or rescinded and, if employed, employment may be terminated if an applicant/team member ceases to reside in California.