Manager of Pricing

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 825 pet stores in the United States and Canada, a growing number of in-store PetsHotels, and is a leading online provider of pet products and information (www.PetSmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and supplies; offers complete pet training, grooming and adoption services; and provides a full line of equine products through State Line Tack. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, an independent 501(c)3 organization, has donated more than $42 million to animal welfare programs and, through its in-store adoption programs, has saved the lives of more than two million pets.      The Manager of Pricing is responsible for creating a process and understanding that allows the company to develop and maintain a pricing strategy, price competitively, and to achieve gross margin objectives. Reacts to monitoring of market competitive pricing practices, assuring the company responds to short term changes and long term trends. Manages the day-to-day administration and implementation of PetSmart’s pricing programs and initiatives. Directs the operations of the pricing analysis, ensures data accuracy and integrity, supports and maintains PetSmart’s pricing strategies, and ensures pricing objectives are always met. Supervises a staff of 8 employees as follows: 4 Pricing Analysts, 4 Pricing Specialists.Duties Include:Responsible for day to day pricing decision support with the Merchandising areas as a result of cost changes, optimization techniques, and appropriate reaction to competitive market changes. Ensures all pricing decisions are fully understood financially and executed within PetSmart legacy applications.Acts as operator of the pricing optimization software and continuously ensures that customer information, competitive pricing, and pricing relationships are utilized in the model to make the best possible pricing decisions.
Understands optimization modeling approach, puts in place a robust schedule, and executes optimization to deliver value to PetSmart and to our Pet Parents.Reviews and understands short and long-term competitive market trends, assesses their potential impact on PetSmart pricing, reacts to market changes with appropriate counteraction measures, and effectively incorporates and communicates the information internally.Works with the Pricing Analyst and Pricing Specialist Staff to ensure the day to day activities and functions are properly balanced across desks and that the appropriate level of support is provided to each of the Business areas.Acts as the control and entry point for ad/planner related changes until such time as PetSmart has a more robust ad planning application.Works with the Store Operations area to properly balance the amount of price changes stores execute on a weekly basis. Ensures that the communication is in place so the stores can plan labor in advance for both shelf price changes and ad/planner related changes.Manages in-depth quantitative analysis of internal and external data to provide insights and recommendations regarding pricing and margin improvement.
REQUIREMENTS
Requirements include a Masters degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Merchandise Management, or Operations Research and four to six years of related experience in business modeling and management. Retail experience strongly preferred.