Business Manager (Product Development)

Advantage Solutions•Goodlettsville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Advantage Solution 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 with access to the best products available in the marketplace today. The Product Development Business Manager is responsible for the overall management and execution of the Product Development Pipeline process at a single customer account. This includes acquiring syndicated data from Rest of Market, comparing internal metrics, and coordinating the efforts of project team members, cross-functional teams, external vendors, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
5+ years’ experience in project or business management with responsibility for achieving targeted sales outcomes.
Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships
Ability to visualize and plan objectives and goals strategically
Basic Computer Skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, & web browsers
Excellent Written & Verbal Communication Skills
Research & Analyzing Skills
Ability to Gather Data, Compile Information, & Prepare Reports
Well Organized, Detail Oriented, & able to Handle Fast Paced Work Environment
Ability to Work Independently & Prioritize with minimal supervision, in order to Meet Deadlines
Track Record of Building & Maintaining Customer/Client Relationships
Ability to Visualize & Plan Objectives & Goals Strategically
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
3-5 Years of experience in building and nurturing brands; private brand management a plus
Basic Computer Skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, & web browsers
Strong Written & Verbal Communication Skills
Conflict Management Skills
Decision Making Skills
Strong Priortizing Skills
Excellent Customer Service Skills
Track Record of Building & Maintaining Customer/Client Relationships
Ability to Visualize & Plan Objectives & Goals Strategically

Nice To Haves

private brand management a plus

Responsibilities

Perform, coordinate and lead the execution of the Product Development Pipeline from planning through implementation
Define and manage project scope, goals, and deliverables that support business strategy including appropriate resource allocation
Provide direction and support to project team members, cross-functional teams, external vendors, and other stakeholders. Ensure deliverables, requirements, schedules, cost, and meeting plans are communicated and executed consistently with company goals.
Plan and facilitate Pipeline meetings to align team goals and to track kick-off tasks. Prepare agendas, meeting notes, and project summaries.
Performs increasingly complex interactions with key stakeholders, taking ownership and achieving shared business targets
Utilize appropriate tools systems and analytics to identify opportunities and mitigate risks as well as plan project timelines, tasks, milestones, and deadlines.
Ensure execution of the LAMP framework to identify the most critical initiatives and relationships and work with the team to lay out short- and long-term plans to achieve relationships at the appropriate level for the account or assigned category business unit
Achieve budgeted goals for area of accountability
Support account team in the development of sales plans
Effectively negotiate supplier commission rates to grow category or team revenue
Perform, coordinate and lead the analysis and development of: marketing plans; product promotions; advertising; in-store displays; merchandising strategies; and inventory forecasting
Manages assigned categories, performs analysis, and develops and recommends strategy within assigned area of responsibility
Interprets trends and other sales analysis data to assist Sr. Business Manager
Performs increasingly complex interactions with suppliers, taking ownership and including rate negotiation
Collaborates and partners with marketing resources, both internal and external (note: international may have more autonomy to develop their own marketing plans)
May assist with needs for innovation
Demonstrates increased innovation and autonomy around marketing, brand management and consumer data analytics; may lead team providing more experience and covering more suppliers
Performs activities in a consultative manner, influencing and convincing buyers, effectively selling various services
Allocate resources at the account level or within assigned category business unit
Demonstrate functional expertise in all facets of Private Brand & Branding via on-the-job development, educational and networking opportunities
Develop strong supplier relationships by obtaining alignment and developing and delivering on mutually established goals.
Attract, develop and retain key talent to enable the execution of the collective goals of the customer and the enterprise
Assure succession plans are in place for critical roles
Motivates, directs and inspires team members to deliver on the agreed upon metrics of the customer and suppliers in conjunction with the needed resources/teams across the enterprise
Identify expected level of decision-making and expected level of risk-taking for team members
Execute new strategic initiatives for the account or the assigned categories
Support, provide guidance with customer issues relating to cost/value
Foster thought leadership within account team
Demonstrate an understanding of the Private Brand landscape, best practices and where customers currently exist in these arenas
Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources
May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports