Claire Froehlich

Associate Category Manager - Wine and Beer @Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Golden, CO, US

I am responsible for the alcoholic products and administrative functions in support of the purchasing processes, including the development and maintenance of core sets and schematics for Alcoholic Beverages. I negotiate with suppliers to ensure competitiveness. I assist the company in maintaining a competitive edge, profitability, staying in tune with current trends, seasonality, and process development. In 2018, I started supporting 7 licensed stores nationwide and have since opened 99 new locations for a total of 106 stores today. Day to day responsibilities include:• Develop and maintain core sets and schematics for Wine and Beer Department• Work with coordinators to ensure execution at store level and consistency across chain• Negotiation with suppliers of responsibility to ensure competitiveness, added value, and enhanced margins• Ensure new products meet Natural Grocers expectations and quality• Implement price changes and product updates at appropriate timing to maintain margins and avoid lost sales• Evaluation of price points for competitiveness while maintaining healthy margins • Resolve price and/or freight discrepancies• Organize, communicate, and ensure negotiated product returns and recalls are executed and any credits recouped• Maintain professional and partnering relationships and exceptional communications with internal stakeholders, especially store level personnel and coordinators, suppliers, brokers, and all outside contacts

OMNES Education

MBA Luxury Brand Management, Wine and Spirits

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Levels 2 and 3 with Distinction

Wine Scholar Guild

French Wine Scholar

Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), International Relations and French Double Major