CDS Full Time Event Manager - Product Demonstration

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions • Kalamazoo, MI

11d

About The Position

Club Demonstration Services (CDS) is seeking an Event Manager to recruit, hire, train, and supervise in-store Product Demonstrators and direct events promoting and selling vendor products. The role oversees product preparation and presentation, including food safety and sanitation, and supports demonstrators in delivering excellent customer service to club members. It coordinates communication among warehouse managers, vendors, demonstrators, and other managers, and may participate in new-location grand openings.

The Event Manager directs event activities and communicates strategies to achieve sales, service, and operational excellence. The position works with the District Manager to evaluate event execution, sales, labor, and operational cost metrics and make adjustments to meet revenue and net income objectives, while optimizing customer satisfaction and loyalty. The role has direct reports and is responsible for hiring, retaining, training, coaching, guiding, directing, and developing them.

The role may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment and involves extensive physical activity, product handling or food preparation, and travel and driving. The stated schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and may vary based on business needs.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent is listed in the role summary requirements.
• Associate's degree or equivalent experience is required in the minimum qualifications.
• Two to four years of related experience in retail, hospitality, or food environments is listed in the role summary requirements.
• 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, is listed in the minimum qualifications.
• NEHA Professional Food Handler Certification is required.
• Strong attention to detail, leadership, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to coach and counsel employees and take corrective measures as needed.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
• Supervisory skills, including delegating responsibility, training, and evaluating performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in projects or the business environment.
• Track record of building and maintaining customer or client relationships.
• Ability to direct, lead, and develop people.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, and web browsers.
• Ability to perform extensive physical activity, lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods, handle or cook demonstration products, work in very cold conditions such as refrigerated and freezer sections, and travel and drive.
• Use proper safety practices when handling products and/or cooking.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and hire part-time staff and in-store Product Demonstrators.
• Direct activities for successful events, promotions, and sales of vendor products.
• Oversee product preparation and presentation, including food safety and sanitation.
• Train Product Demonstrators in demonstration preparation and customer service.
• Communicate strategies and coordinate with warehouse managers, vendors, demonstrators, and other managers.
• Participate in new-location grand openings as required.
• Communicate strategies and tactics to achieve sales, service, and operational excellence.
• Support the maintenance and ongoing development of the corporate governance framework, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with the District Manager to evaluate event execution, sales performance, labor hours, and operational costs, and make adjustments as needed.
• Achieve revenue and net income objectives through sales activation, strategy, and expense management.
• Optimize customer satisfaction and loyalty through improved operations.
• Hire, retain, train, coach, guide, direct, and develop direct reports.
• Coach and counsel employees and take corrective measures as needed.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• 401(k) plan
• Generous paid time off
• Set Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule, typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., though it may vary based on needs
• Work-life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree