CDS Full Time Event Manager - Product Demonstration

Club Demonstration Services•Niles, IL

4d•$51,000 - $63,500

About The Position

Club Demonstration Services (CDS), the preferred in-house event marketing provider to Costco, is hiring an Event Manager to lead in-store product demonstration events. The role is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising Product Demonstrators, and overseeing product preparation and presentation, including food safety and sanitation. The Event Manager works with warehouse managers, vendors, and demonstrators, and may participate in new-location grand openings. The position directs activities that support successful events, product promotion, and sales. It communicates strategies and tactics to achieve sales, service, and operational excellence; collaborates with the District Manager to assess event execution, sales, labor hours, and operating costs; and works toward revenue and net income objectives through sales activation, strategy, and expense management. The role also focuses on customer satisfaction and loyalty, and supports corporate governance policies and procedures. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and may vary according to business needs. Work may take place in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse. The job can involve substantial physical activity, travel and driving, and working in cold refrigerated or freezer areas. Safe handling and preparation of products and food is essential.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent is listed in the introductory requirements.
Associate's degree or equivalent experience is listed as the minimum education qualification in the detailed qualifications.
Two to four years of related experience in retail, hospitality, or food environments is listed in the introductory 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 detailed qualifications.
NEHA Professional Food Handler Certification is required.
Detail-oriented, with strong leadership and communication skills.
Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and direct, lead, and develop people.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and work independently, prioritize with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
Supervisory skills, including delegating responsibility, training, and evaluating performance.
Ability to coach and counsel employees and take corrective measures as needed.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Flexible and adaptable to changes in projects or the business environment; 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 the essential job functions, including considerable physical activity, lifting and/or pushing up to 50 pounds, standing for extended periods, and using products or cooking food for demonstrations.
Ability to travel and drive, and to work in extremely cold conditions such as refrigerated and freezer sections.
Use proper safety practices when handling products and/or cooking.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Recruit, hire, train, retain, supervise, coach, guide, and develop direct-report staff, including Product Demonstrators.
Oversee product preparation and presentation, including food safety and sanitation.
Train Product Demonstrators in demonstration preparation and customer service.
Communicate and coordinate with warehouse managers, vendors, Product Demonstrators, and other managers.
Participate in new-location grand openings as required.
Direct activities supporting successful events, vendor product promotion, and sales.
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 rates, 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.
Improve operations to optimize customer satisfaction and loyalty.