CDS Full Time Event Manager - Product Demonstration

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Glendale, AZ

About The Position

Club Demonstration Services (CDS), the preferred in-house event marketing provider to Costco, is hiring an Event Manager to recruit, hire, train, and supervise in-store Product Demonstrators. The role oversees product preparation and presentation, food safety and sanitation, and customer service for Club members. It also coordinates communication among warehouse managers, vendors, and Product Demonstrators, and participates in new-location grand openings as required. The Event Manager directs events, promotions, and vendor-product sales; communicates strategies for sales, service, and operational excellence; and works with the District Manager to review event performance and adjust operations. The role is accountable for revenue and net income objectives, customer satisfaction and loyalty, and the development and performance of direct reports. Work may take place in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. The stated schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and may vary based on business needs. The position requires travel and driving and substantial physical activity, including standing for long periods, lifting or pushing up to 50 pounds, preparing or cooking demonstration products, and potentially working in refrigerated or freezer areas.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent is listed in the role summary requirements.
Associate's degree or equivalent experience is listed as the minimum qualification; a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is preferred.
Three to five years of experience in a client-side branded consumer-packaged-goods company, or a combination of supplier-side and client-side experience.
The role summary also lists two to four years of related experience in retail, hospitality, or food environments.
NEHA Professional Food Handler Certification required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Supervisory skills, including delegating responsibility, training, and evaluating performance.
Ability to work independently, prioritize with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
Ability to direct, lead, and develop people; proven ability to lead well-performing teams.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and coach and counsel employees, taking corrective measures as needed.
Flexible and adaptable when projects or the business environment change; able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Track record of building and maintaining customer or client relationships.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, and web browsers.
Ability to perform substantial physical activity, lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods, use products or cook food for demonstrations, and work in very cold conditions such as refrigerated and freezer sections.
Ability to travel and drive; use proper safety practices when handling products and/or cooking.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Direct activities for successful events, promotions, and sales of vendor products.
Recruit, train, and hire part-time staff and Product Demonstrators.
Hire, retain, train, coach, guide, direct, and develop direct reports using company processes, tools, and resources.
Oversee product preparation and presentation, including food safety and sanitation.
Train Product Demonstrators in demonstration preparation and customer service.
Communicate among managers, vendors, and in-store Product Demonstrators.
Communicate strategies and tactics to achieve sales, service, and operational excellence.
Participate in new-location grand openings as required.
Support the maintenance and ongoing development of the corporate governance framework, policies, and procedures.
Collaborate with the District Manager to evaluate event execution rates, sales performance, labor hours, and operational costs, and make adjustments as necessary.
Achieve revenue and net income objectives through sales activation, strategy, and expense management.
Improve operations to optimize customer satisfaction and loyalty.