Montucky Cold Snacks Retail Activation Manager

Montucky Cold Snacks Retail Activation Manager

Strategic Group is a full-scale marketing agency specializing in experiential programming and sales support initiatives. For more than two decades, we’ve built a reputation for engaging our clients’ retail customers and influencing their hard-to-penetrate consumer base.

RETAIL ACTIVATION MANAGER

In this role, the Retail Activation Manager will serve as the primary marketing expert on behalf of

E.&J. Gallo’s Malt Division with the Montucky Cold Snacks brand. They will develop and maintain positive relationships with key on premise accounts in their market, ensure high visibility for the Montucky Cold Snacks brand and create affinity among target consumers. In addition to executing sales support efforts in the accounts, they will be responsible for building new business within their respective territories and executing impactful sampling activations within their defined account universe.

Our Retail Activation Manager will work collaboratively with our client’s local team as well as the distributor partners that sell directly to their target customers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Build and develop a key account list across a defined territory of “must win” accounts, driving on premises growth, focusing on targeting quality distribution
• Demonstrate an understanding of supplier brand strategies (marketing, promotion, and consumer engagement)
• Execute brand standards at industry leading levels
• Apply skills to educate, inspire, and achieve menu placements, staff education, POS visibility, and trade
• Focus on securing brand features, programming, and visibility within the account universe
• Communicate market conditions to the client regularly in an articulate efficient manner
• Maintain awareness of best practices, trends, and competitive brands
• Track, measure, record, and provide valuable insights on all sales support initiatives
• Ensure practices are compliant with all local, state, and federal regulatory statutes
• Work closely with local distributor partners to ensure all goals are met within the defined timeframe
• Occasionally assist Gallo Malt Division brand teams, in executing select brand events within the market

Experiential Marketing

• Identify brand opportunities via non-traditional marketing initiatives
• Develop engaging sampling initiatives that generate excitement and affinity for the brand
• Schedule programming in target accounts at the optimal time for target consumer engagement
• Manage budget and associated activation costs
• Leverage programming and consumer demand to inspire trade
• Execute impactful sampling activations within the account universe, recording sales, tracking conversions, and recap accordingly

REQUIREMENTS

• Beverage industry related experience; preferably in beer or as a bartender
• B.A. or B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field
• Ability to drive and maintain a valid driver’s license, and have a reliable vehicle
• Proficiency in the entire Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook)
• Basic understanding of the brewing process, production, product/food pairing techniques, and service
• Strong time management skills, and ability to manage a budget effectively
• Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently remotely
• Creative abilities to develop programming opportunities
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, dynamic environment
• Comprehensive understanding of adult beverage practices and regulatory compliance
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including some nights and weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift at least 50lbs and stand for long periods of time

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong leadership, motivation, excellent and persuasive communication skills (written and verbal)
• Existing distributor, on premise, or retail account relationships are a plus
• Extensive knowledge of alcohol beverage industry, with preferred expertise in the beer category
• Experience taking prompt action to accomplish objectives and achieve goals beyond what is required; ability to be proactive
• Skilled at commanding presence, presenting ideas effectively to individuals and groups at all levels
• Experience setting high standards of performance…