The Job in a Nutshell:

The New Item Specialist is responsible for managing, reviewing and processing new item submittals from new and existing suppliers.  In coordination with Category Managers the New Item Specialist will ensure proper communication with suppliers, stores, and other stakeholders for approvals and denials. The New Item Specialist will coordinate with the Nutrition Education Department (NED) on standards and quality questions.

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

06/27/2025

Main Ingredients:

Management and review of new item submittals

1. Log all new item submissions and prepare materials for the new item presentations
1. Receive, organize, and store product samples and log relevant information
2. Have all relevant samples and information prepared for the new item presentations
2. Present new item submissions to decision makers, including Category Managers and Executive level stake holders
1. In the new item presentation, review trends in the category, category mix, pricing, and other differentiators
2. Track feedback and decisions on the brands and items being presented
3. Develop an introduction timeline and plan for approved products
3. Manage the standards process for all new item submissions
1. Send out all Quality Questionnaires to new brands and manage required documentation for new brand approval
2. Manage communication with current brands to obtain additional standards documentation for certain ingredients
3. Coordinate with the NED on standards development and quality concerns
4. Meet with Category Managers regularly to review new item setup status and provide updates 

 Management of new item processing

1. Understand and follow company guidelines on new product set up
2. Accurately prepare appropriate forms for submission to Accounting and Data Integrity Group
3. Send Summary of new items reviewed with any notes and approval or denial status to vendors and brokers
4. Fulfill Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance duties for new item setup 

Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

Recipe for Success:

1. 4-year degree preferred
2. 2 years’ experience in the nutrition or natural/organic industry required
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills along with strong cooperative relationship building and influencing skills
4. Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze, summarize, and present results
5. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments
6. Working knowledge of Organic standards, non-GMO verification, GMPs and FDA labeling preferred
7. Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with BOBJ, SAP, MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, and Outlook required

This job description is not an employment contract.  It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities.  The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice.  Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.

Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:

All Crew Members

• Birthday Bonus Pay 
• Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually) 
• Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
• Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure 
• Paid Nutrition Education 
• good4u Crew Member Discount  
• {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program) 
• Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases  
• Advancement Opportunities and Career Development 
• Health and Wellness Program  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   
• Employee Referral Program

Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) 
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance  
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance   
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match  
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match 

Diversity Statement

At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.

At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.