Brand Activation Manager

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions • Chicago, IL

9d

About The Position

Join the world-renowned Anheuser-Busch family, where passion meets innovation. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Brand Activation Manager to drive brand presence, sales, and consumer engagement for the Stella Artois brand. As a pivotal member of our team, you will lead the charge in ensuring Stella Artois remains at the forefront of the market by supporting a national sampling program. The Brand Activation Manager will oversee the execution of weekly sampling events in key accounts. Candidates must be highly motivated and results oriented. With Advantage, you’ll be a part of an established and fast-growing company driven by groundbreaking ideas and an innovative culture. The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Requirements

• Must be of legal drinking age (21+).
• 2 years of beverage company and/or distributor experience.
• Driving is an essential function of this job and therefore you must be able to maintain a valid/current driver’s license
• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Access to a computer with Microsoft Office and home internet access.
• Must be proficient in Excel and PPT.
• Personal smartphone with the ability to communicate/report while in the field.
• Available to work 40+ hours per week, including nights and weekends.
• Must be able to lift 40lbs.
• Must be able to travel for mandatory training at program launch.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional demeanor and strong work ethic.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Organizational skills to meet weekly deadlines.
• Live in the market for full duration of the program.
• Team player; works collaboratively with others.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• Able to be nimble in ambiguity; be open to change; embrace innovative ideas.
• Able to communicate effectively through various methods while appropriately tailoring the message to the audience.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with event production and management of teams of brand ambassadors, brand promotion, working with wholesaler and accounts, brand sampling preferred.
• Experience in the alcohol or beverage industry preferred
• Experience working in an agency, retail, CPG or CE environment
• Proven success in the execution and evaluation of sampling programs
• Experience with recruiting, interviewing, and training Brand Ambassadors
• Experience in creating weekly schedules with specific parameters for execution
• Experience with approving team events, recaps, and payroll systems

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive activation strategies to achieve sales and brand objectives.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key accounts and the local wholesaler.
• Sell in brand programming to key accounts.
• Lead the planning and execution of brand activations, special events, sponsorships, and promotions.
• Manage all aspects of Brand Ambassador team including recruitment, training, scheduling, weekly event execution, and reporting
• Provide guidance and support to the Brand Ambassador team to ensure alignment with company objectives.
• Local asset management - ensuring Brand Ambassadors are properly equipped with merchandise and materials needed to execute sampling events.
• Responsible for activation recaps, metrics, and overall event success.
• Mange local budget & budget reporting/reconciliation.
• Perform pre-calls and checklists in preparation for sampling events.
• Monitor event execution while ensuring all key brand KPIs are achieved.
• Submit program deliverables accurately and on time each week. Deliverables include but are not limited to expense reporting, weekly recaps, BA survey audits, time sheet approvals, etc.
• Knowledge of local nightlife/events and local alcohol beverage laws.
• Assists in the analysis of sales and market/territory data used to provide consultation and/or correction for under-performing accounts
• Responsible for managing events in person
• Manages all aspects of Brand Ambassador team including recruitment, training, weekly event execution, and reporting
• Ensures Brand Ambassadors are properly equipped with merchandise and materials needed to execute sampling events
• Regularly travel in market for purpose of, but not limited to; BA development, activation audits and performance reviews
• Overall performance management of Brand Ambassadors providing direction, guidance, and support where necessary
• Develop employees for career advancement and succession planning
• Drive professional and value-oriented relationships with key wholesaler/client field management teams to drive positive relationships
• Use reports and presentations to highlight success and/or improvement areas relative to program execution – performance vs. performance objectives, competitive intelligence, key market initiatives, wins, losses, opportunities, and challenges
• Work collaboratively with support and agency operations team in areas including, but not limited to, report development, event execution, financial control, and coverage model execution/revisions
• Conduct weekly conference calls with DM to communicate program updates and strategic priorities
• Manage budget for assigned geographic area to maximize revenue and profit and lowering workman’s compensation claims by enforcing a safe work environment
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department
• Drive professional and value-oriented relationships with key wholesaler/client field management teams to drive positive relationships.
• Maintains consistency and highly visible presence in designated accounts within assigned territory.
• Work collaboratively with support and agency operations team in areas including, but not limited to, report development, event execution, financial control, and coverage model execution/revisions.
• Efficient tactical support on BA process, day to day business needs, and administrative support.
• Communicate daily/weekly with BAs through Whats App.
• Conduct weekly conference calls with local team to communicate program updates and strategic priorities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Monthly auto & tech stipend.
• In person training.
• Opportunity for bonus and recognition.
• Training and Career Development with Advantage.
• Opportunity to represent innovative and fast-growing brands.
• Opportunity for professional development and career advancement within Anheuser-Busch.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees