Regional AIM Manager

Associated Wholesale Grocers•Kansas City, KS

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The AIM Ad Group serves ~1300 of AWG’s member stores as the strategic conduit between AWG teams and vendor partners, driving collaborative planning and execution of growth‑focused promotions and omnichannel marketing programs. Grounded in strong Category Management strategies, AIM develops and delivers impactful marketing initiatives designed to enhance sales, strengthen vendor partnerships, and elevate the shopper experience across AWG’s diverse retail network. Our mission is to provide our member‑retailers the most competitive cost of goods, tools, and support to thrive in the communities in which they serve. The Regional AIM Sales Manager is responsible for driving profitable sales growth for AWG and our Advertising & Innovative Marketing (AIM) member‑retailers. This leader uses AWG’s scale to negotiate competitive product costs, promotions, and merchandising programs with vendor partners while partnering closely with divisional teams to activate and support In‑House Ad Group stores. This role serves as the strategic and operational anchor for assigned regional ad groups. The manager will guide the development, execution, and optimization of marketing and advertising programs designed to increase member sales, strengthen market share, and enhance the overall value of AIM offerings. The position provides indirect leadership to divisional AIM Specialists/Ad Coordinators, offering strategic direction, promotional planning, and merchandising alignment to ensure consistency, impact, and operational excellence across the region. Because of AIM’s dynamic environment, the ideal candidate must be highly adaptable with he ability to shift seamlessly between high‑level strategy, business development, and hands‑on tactical work. This includes the ability to pursue and secure new business opportunities while also managing detailed executional tasks and owning one or more dedicated projects beyond core responsibilities. The Regional AIM Sales Manager will occasionally step in to bring process continuity, improve workflow, or elevate planning discipline within the divisions they support. Based in one of the 3 divisions it manages, this position requires travel to industry conferences, AWG food shows, regional division visits, and member and vendor partner meetings. The successful candidate will be an engaging communicator able to present confidently to groups of all sizes, represent AWG professionally, and build strong, trust‑based relationships. Strategic thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and a polished executive presence are essential to advancing AIM’s goals and delivering value to AWG members and vendor partners.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in retail, CPG sales, merchandising, marketing, or a related field.
Proven ability to negotiate promotions, programs, or pricing with vendor or supplier partners.
Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives or providing direction to dispersed teams.
Demonstrated success in business development, account management, or territory management.
Strong presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
Ability to travel regularly (estimated 20–35%).
Highly adaptable with the ability to pivot quickly, manage ambiguity, and balance strategic and tactical priorities.
Strong relationship‑building skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and problem‑solving abilities.
Ability to travel for conferences, food shows, division visits, and member/vendor meetings.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort interacting with data, reports, and analytics tools.
Professional presence, sound judgment, and a collaborative mindset aligned with AWG’s values.
Perform bending, squatting, sitting, and reaching from floor level to waist level.
Must be able to move throughout various buildings, conduct meetings at retail sites, load and unload materials and equipment.
Must be able to lift 25 pounds (copier paper boxes).
Must be able to sit in a car for long periods of time.
Must be able to drive both day and at night.

Nice To Haves

Experience in wholesale grocery, retail grocery, or cooperative business environments.
Knowledge of omnichannel marketing programs and merchandising strategies.
Familiarity with syndicated data, category management tools, and promotional planning systems.

Responsibilities

Drive profitable sales growth for AIM member‑retailers by negotiating competitive product costs, promotions, and merchandising programs with vendor partners.
Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities within assigned regions.
Monitor marketplace trends and member needs to recommend strategies that strengthen sales performance and market share.
Lead the development and execution of regional marketing and advertising programs aligned with AWG’s overall retail strategy.
Provide strategic direction to divisional AIM Specialists/Ad Coordinators, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and impactful activation across regions.
Support divisions by strengthening or stabilizing ad planning processes when needed to bring alignment and continuity.
Partner with AWG divisions, vendors, and internal teams to execute promotional campaigns and merchandising initiatives.
Engage directly in tactical, hands‑on work when required, ensuring seamless delivery of program details.
Manage one or more dedicated projects that extend beyond core responsibilities, supporting AIM innovation and continuous improvement.
Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with member retailers, vendor partners, and AWG teams.
Serve as a key AIM representative at industry conferences, AWG food shows, vendor meetings, and member visits.
Deliver effective presentations to audiences of varying sizes and provide clear communication on strategies, performance, and opportunities.
Use analytics, data insights, and market performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend enhancements.
Seek opportunities to streamline communication, improve processes, and elevate member value within AIM.