Manager, Customer Marketing

Job Description

This Customer Marketing Manager role will “sit” within the Customer Marketing team that is led by the Director of Brand/Portfolio and Customer Marketing, within the NA Marketing regional team. This role will have responsibilities to lead and execute the region’s distribution strategy while connecting with the global marketing and commercial excellence team for best practices and tool templates to use in our planning and execution.
Key stakeholders: Director of Brand/Portfolio & Customer Marketing, VP of Marketing, VP of Gourmet, Sales, Director of Sales, National Distribution, VP/Managing Director of Canada and Senior Brand Manager of our Gourmet brands & Portfolio for US/Can.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Customer Marketing Manager is responsible for building, creating and executing the annual distribution strategy. The scope includes creating a comprehensive distribution plan on how to drive incremental growth and margin through initiatives, relationships and partnerships. Ultimately, this role will deliver impact and ROI for the business. This role will collaborate and work very closely with the Canadian marketing team and be responsible for ensuring alignment with strategy, execution and results. This colleague will own and lead the NA Distributor Marketing Strategy.

Distribution Strategy Development & Execution:

●    Lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive distribution marketing strategy to drive business growth across our markets.
●    Identify new distribution channels, partnerships, and opportunities for market expansion.
●    Develop targeted marketing campaigns tailored to our distribution customer communities.
●    Oversee all activities related to the day-to-day management and implementation of distribution marketing efforts with designated partners in an effort to drive incremental growth and retention. 
●    Collaborate cross-functionally with the brand manager and the sales team to conceptualize and implement trade promotions and channel-specific brand campaigns
●    Partner with the Sales team to ensure the Top 5 Distributors have an annual strategy and mutual plan to ensure planned growth and ROI goals are met. 
●    Provide strategic support to sales distribution efforts through the creation and delivery of marketing assets, including training templates, presentations, point-of-sale materials, distributor product catalogs, and other collateral.
●    Partner with the Canadian Marketing team by gaining their input but ultimately leading the NA distributor strategy and plan while they support/customize anything specifically needed from a Canada market viewpoint. 
●    Plan, prepare, execute and measure ROI-oriented marketing activities and programs

Market Research & Analysis:

●    Conduct in-depth market research to understand customer needs, industry trends, and competitive analysis and landscape. 
●    Possess familiarity with the competition, assess competitive threats, and develop proactive strategies to maintain competitive position on partner platforms
●    Analyze data to identify new distribution opportunities and optimize existing marketing tactics.
●    Work with the sales and product teams to align marketing strategies with customer demand and product offerings.
●    Understand and anticipate industry trends that will affect network distribution and marketing plans in the short and long-term

Brand Positioning & Communication:

●    Define and reinforce the brand positioning in the B2B chocolate ingredient market.
●    Create compelling marketing materials, case studies, and presentations for distribution partners.
●    Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including distributors and industry influencers, to amplify brand presence.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

●    Collaborate closely with internal teams, including sales, product development, and logistics, to ensure marketing strategies align with company objectives.
●    Provide training and support to sales teams to ensure they are equipped with the right marketing tools and materials.
●    Leverage digital portals to channel communication write-ups or articles with targeted distribution partners

Performance Tracking & Reporting:

Monitor and evaluate the performance of distribution marketing initiatives and campaigns, ensuring impact driven initiatives and plans.

 

Education & Qualifications

•    Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
•    Minimum of 5 years of experience in B2B marketing, with a strong focus on distribution strategy or channel