Current Opportunities:
Regional Marketing Manager, Northeast U.S. Territory
Position Summary
The Regional Marketing Manager, Northeast will be responsible for participating in the development and implementation of the Pear Bureau’s annual marketing program in the United States. The focus is on proactively marketing each season’s Northwest pear crop. Enhancing the value of Northwest pears to key customers and maximizing grower returns are paramount to success. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with a balance of analytical and creative skills who is able to see and act on opportunities, making them a significant contributor to the long term success of Pear Bureau Northwest.
The Regional Marketing Manager, Northeast will be responsible for participating in the development and implementation of the Pear Bureau’s annual marketing program in the United States. The focus is on proactively marketing each season’s Northwest pear crop. Enhancing the value of Northwest pears to key customers and maximizing grower returns are paramount to success. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with a balance of analytical and creative skills who is able to see and act on opportunities, making them a significant contributor to the long term success of Pear Bureau Northwest.
Reporting Relationships
This position reports directly to the President and CEO. The position is also expected to work closely with material producers or service providers. Occasionally, Regional Marketing Managers are asked to hire and supervise personnel retained for conducing sampling activities and consumer events.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Provide regional marketing leadership motivated by the Bureau’s vision, mission, guiding values and overall growth strategies.
- Develop and manage a regional base of retail and wholesale accounts that will ensure efficient movement of pears each season.
- Research, identify and foster new business relationships with major retail or wholesale accounts.
- Analyze strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of each account; compare factors including past performance and marketplace competition.
- Develop merchandising and promotional plans and agreements tailored to each account that will maximize volume movement and variety display; work directly with key customer personnel to implement merchandising and promotional programs.
- Provide feedback and recommendations for marketing tactics and programs that help drive sales.
- Discuss pear industry and pear category with retail, wholesale and foodservice industry members as well as Northwest pear industry growers and shippers.
- Collect market and category data and add it to the Bureau’s in-house data system.
- Utilize in-house and third-party category data and research to develop and present a comprehensive, custom-tailored strategy and set of best practices to help accounts drive pear sales.
- Manage assigned budget funds to best support the movement of each season’s crop.
- Provide regular written communication regarding category information, market updates, promotional agreements, success stories, events, etc. to Pear Bureau personnel, customers, Northwest pear growers and shippers, vendors and other parties, as appropriate.
- Foster and retain professional relationships with industry-wide trade organizations, community members, ancillary businesses, key accounts, as well as outside public and governmental agencies.
- Attend and participate in industry trade, association and food/health conferences and conventions; make presentations designed to influence those who influence consumers.
- Collaborate with the Pear Bureau management team on the development and management of special projects and national accounts.
- Support research projects as needed.
- Able to travel on a regular basis.
Education and Specific Qualifications
A minimum of three years of experience in the produce industry required.
- An undergraduate BA/BS degree is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, foster and maintain relationships with retail supermarket chains and wholesale accounts; strong industry relationships, the ability to grow and develop accounts.
- Strong knowledge of produce merchandizing, retail, buying practices and promotion.
- Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills as well as strong analytical ability.
- Self-directed time management skills to ensure a high level of quality and efficiency.
Personal Characteristics
- Ironclad integrity; must be impeccably honest and trustworthy.
- Strong work ethic and commitment.
- A self-starter capable of achieving company objectives on time and within budget with
minimal supervision.
- Quality and customer focus; treat all customers as business partners; constantly looking for better ways to service and support customers.
- Energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude. High expectations. Drive performance to get results.
- Team oriented; works collaboratively with others; open and easy to approach; not defensive.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – able to establish, build and maintain business relationships.
Timing and Process
- Interviews will be conducted by Kevin Moffitt, President and CEO as well as with other select members of the executive team.
- Estimated project completion date July 11, 2012.
To apply, please contact:
Jerry Butt, Vice President, MIXTEC Group. Telephone: (626) 440-7077 x106
Email: jerryb@mixtec.net
Kristen Reid, Senior Recruiter, MIXTEC Group. Telephone: (626) 440-7077 x107
Email: kristenr@mixtec.net
Pear Bureau Northwest provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, or any other basis.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write the USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 9410, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).