Sr. Program Manager, WFM Perishables Merchandising

Reporting to the Executive Leader of Execution and Inventory Planning, this role leads program execution for Prepared Foods and Bakery teams, implementing company-wide programs and creating deliverables that drive consistent performance. Demonstrating Customer Obsession, the Sr. Program Manager defines venue strategy and establishes business requirements that prioritize food quality, food safety, and customer experience. This role requires building and maintaining strong partnerships across category merchants, operational area leadership, field and process support, operations business support, strategic planning, finance, marketing, exclusive brands, and learning and development teams. Earning Trust through transparent communication, the successful candidate demonstrates strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to senior leadership. The Sr. Program Manager excels at active listening, follows through on commitments, and builds credibility through consistent delivery of results that benefit both customers and the business. Key job responsibilities - Establish business requirements and success metrics for strategic venue initiatives. - Lead company-wide execution programs ensuring consistency and scalability. - Define and implement venue strategy for Prepared Foods and Bakery categories across all regions. - Partner with category merchants to translate category strategies into measurable operational execution plans. - Collaborate with operational area leadership, field teams, and process support to ensure seamless implementation. - Monitor and improve key performance indicators including shrink, waste, and operational efficiency - Identify and resolve execution gaps through root cause analysis and corrective action plans. - Ensure program design and store requirements meet all regulatory requirements and company policies. - Present complex business information and recommendations to senior leadership. - Foster culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. - Communicate strategy, priorities, and performance expectations clearly across all levels.