National Retail Marketing Manager

Constellation Brands•Chicago, IL

6d•$113,500 - $177,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Retail Marketing Manager leads the development and execution of assigned Retail Connections programming. The role translates brand strategy, shopper insights, and commercial objectives into compelling programs that drive impact at retail, and owns programs from strategy and briefing through creative development, production, field sell-in, execution, and measurement. The manager partners closely with cross-functional teams, agencies, vendors, and external partners. This position combines strategic thinking with operational execution. It contributes to annual strategic planning, develops recommendations for program priorities and investment, establishes program KPIs, evaluates effectiveness, and turns results into recommendations for future programming. The manager also oversees program budgets and forecasts, coordinates with Legal and other stakeholders on compliance, and builds alignment across teams. The role is based in Chicago, Illinois; Chicago-based employees are required to work in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Travel for market visits and corporate events is required at less than 20%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing, business, or a related discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant experience in brand marketing, shopper/commerce marketing, retail activation, trade marketing, field marketing, or a related discipline; preferably within CPG.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional marketing or retail activation programs from strategy through execution and measurement.
Experience managing agencies, vendors, or external partners, including briefing, feedback, budgeting, and execution.
Ability to translate brand, shopper, and commercial objectives into actionable marketing programs.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating across senior leadership, Brand Marketing, Insights, Legal, Sales, wholesalers, agencies, and suppliers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Demonstrated initiative, learning agility, and commitment to improving processes and ways of working.
Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods and work on a computer for extended periods; lifting may be required.
Availability to travel for market visits and corporate events, less than 20%.

Nice To Haves

Experience within CPG, beverage alcohol, retail/shopper marketing, or another consumer-led industry.
Experience developing programming across multiple retail channels and customer environments.
Strong understanding of shopper behavior, retail trends, and the evolving commerce landscape.
Experience using performance data, shopper insights, and field feedback to optimize programming.
Experience presenting recommendations and influencing senior cross-functional stakeholders.
Working knowledge of the three-tier beverage alcohol system and its implications for retail programming and execution.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end development and execution of assigned Retail Connections brands and programs, from strategy and briefing through creative development, production, field sell-in, execution, and measurement.
Serve as the day-to-day business owner for assigned programs, proactively identifying opportunities, risks, decisions, and next steps.
Develop programming that connects brand strategy with shopper, customer, and commercial objectives, ensuring programs are strategically sound, compelling to consumers, and executable in-market.
Partner cross-functionally to identify business opportunities and translate commercial needs into scalable retail solutions.
Lead agency partners from briefing through execution, setting expectations, providing actionable feedback, challenging work when appropriate, and ensuring deliverables meet strategic, creative, financial, and timing objectives.
Manage print, fulfillment, and merchandise vendors through sourcing, procurement, production, and release of promotional materials and point-of-sale, ensuring quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
Build cross-functional relationships and act as a Retail Connections subject-matter partner, influencing stakeholders and driving alignment around program strategy, priorities, and execution.
Prioritize multiple simultaneous workstreams, balancing strategic initiatives, planned programming, and quick-turn business needs while communicating trade-offs, risks, and timelines.
Establish program KPIs and work with cross-functional teams to evaluate execution, engagement, sales impact, and return on investment; translate results and learnings into recommendations for future programming.
Contribute to annual strategic planning by translating brand priorities, commercial objectives, shopper insights, and marketplace opportunities into actionable programming strategies.
Develop recommendations on program priorities, investment, timing, activation mechanics, and execution approach.
Partner with Legal and appropriate cross-functional stakeholders to ensure programming, promotional materials, and activation mechanics meet company, regulatory, and brand requirements.
Manage program finances, including annual budget planning, monthly forecasting, reconciliation, invoice tracking, and reporting; identify risks, opportunities, and variances and recommend actions.