The Mars Agency is an award-winning, independently owned global commerce marketing practice with a growth-for-clients focus. With talent spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia, we create breakthrough, connected commerce solutions by balancing the smartest humanity with the latest technology. The agency’s latest MarTech platform, Marilyn®, is the industry’s first and only end-to-end commerce advisor.

We’re looking for a Director, Shopper Marketing, Club Channel for a large CPG company for a 9-month contract assignment. The position will report into the CPG company’s Shopper Marketing lead. Candidates must have at least 8 years of marketing experience within the Walmart Inc. or Club channel for consideration.

This person will provide on-site support to a major CPG company’s Shopper Marketing Team, and will provide functional expertise crossing brand and retail program management with emphasis on driving connectivity and collaboration between the brand efforts and national shopper efforts as the gatekeeper to the shopper team. This person will manage relationships at the retail level to include shopper marketers, sales teams, category management, brand teams, marketing leadership and insights team. The on-site must be a channel expert who has experience creating integrated consumer experiences that stimulate brand demand in a fast-paced, technological consumer environment including having a clear understanding of the retailer and their priorities and opportunities to build successful go to market plans.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Retail program management

Lead internal sales and external agency cross-functional team to develop optimal and actionable strategies, concepts and tactics for Walmart and Big Box (Costco and Sam’s Club)

Build strong working relationships with Walmart and Big Box client teams

Establish overarching channel priorities and develop shopper marketing briefs with clearly defined objectives and KPI’s aligned to brand and sales team goals

Work with external client vendors/agencies to execute projects as assigned

Develop and manage project timelines and budgets

Manage retailer shopper budgets across brands; this includes but not limited to owning incremental dollar request and vendor payments

Work hand-in-hand with internal teams on planning and implementation of retail marketing extensions of brand and category programs (national retainer clients)

Manage client approval process.

Review, approve and sign media IOs.

Measure post-promotion results using agency and client-provided data.

Report post-promotion results against client’s profitability metrics (ie. GSV, MAC) and standard KPIs such as ROI, ROAS & HHP

Review, approve and maintain MAP partnership through fiscal year, and review FY25 contract alongside client’s shopper partners (Food and Pet) Brand Program Management

Lead key meetings with brand
 and retailers

Work with Shopper Marketers to align efforts and drive efficiency.

Manage creative approval process with agency and brand teams

Work closely with the brand and agency team to manage timelines, ensure correct brand assets

Planning and implementation of brand programs, including Sam’s Club Media Group commitments and management

Budget management nationally by brand

SKILL SETS REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, business, or related field – MBA preferred

Minimum of 8 years of marketing or advertising experience, preferably with Sam’s Club experience.

Dynamic personality able to effectively engage and influence a variety of audiences

A wealth of industry knowledge including current trends, consumer packaged goods and retailer information, and business philosophies

Motivational leadership, inspiring team to deliver top performance every day against assigned business

Strategic thinking in the development of Shopper Marketing programs and management of day-to-day business

Sound decision making skills

Passion about business and dissatisfaction with status quo – always thinking of ways to improve/grow assigned client/business

Strong listening skills and attention to detail

Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal skills

Desire to dig in and do what’s needed to get the job done right

Some travel is required

The Mars Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit, hire, train and promote persons i n all job classifications without regard to race, ancestry, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or handicap, HIV, veteran, marital or family status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state and/or federal laws, except where a bonafide occupational qualification applies.

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