Zone Retailer Marketing Manager

Subaru•Atlanta, GA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for the Zone-level implementation of the Subaru brand strategy, with a specific focus on improving Subaru retailer marketing and championing "More than a Car Dealer." The position guides District Sales Managers (DSMs) and Zone retailers on how to increase demand and achieve sales targets. The focus of this position is supporting marketing approximately half of the time and supporting sales operations approximately half of the time, including ownership of monthly and annual Zone sales targets such as inventory management, incentives, and Trade Up Advantage. This role serves as a communication liaison for all Marketing initiatives (brand, product, retailer), Sales, and Incentives programs between DSMs and zone retailers. It leads and maintains responsibility for retailers’ enrollment and engagement in Subaru Marketing programs, including Love Promise and Relationship and Owner programs. The role works closely with Zone retailers regarding program activation and provides direction and counsel on marketing efforts. It provides Zone Marketing direction regarding understanding and applying Marketing resources to District Managers and provides zone intelligence and strategies to marketing support partners. The role manages the zone portion of budgets for the Regional Discretionary Fund (RDF) incentives, media spend, marketing promotions, and selling expenses. It communicates national and regional incentive programs and sales challenges to retailers and District Managers, and develops and communicates programs as needed. The role works with DSMs and Zone retailers to efficiently utilize the Subaru Advertising Fund (SAF), and helps retailers within the Zone build out their Love Promise plans by having them develop promotional plans. It provides guidance and oversight from a Zone perspective and works directly with retailers on marketing messaging, communication channels, and merchandising to ensure alignment with Subaru Marketing strategy. Additional responsibilities include Zone Marketing event activation and management, including planning, budgeting, staffing, setup, and logistics, and partnering with SOA Experiential Marketing, Motorsports Marketing, and Auto Show teams to implement and execute Subaru Marketing events and initiatives.

Requirements

Ability to educate and influence retailers on Subaru Marketing priorities.
Exceptional communication skills with ability to expertly present to an audience in person and on paper and effectively listen and recognize the value of others’ input.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a respectful, positive, and professional demeanor and strong negotiator and mediator.
Excellent customer focus skills with ability to build positive, productive relationships.
Excellent organization and time management skills and highly successful at handling multiple priorities.
Energetic and cooperative, with ability to project a strong positive and motivational presence.
Excellent leadership skills with ability to initiate open dialogue and candid discussions.
Prolonged sitting at desk and working on computer.
Ability to work at Zone office, Retailers, and event sites.
Ability to drive on a daily basis.
Air travel and drive long distances required.
65% Travel.
4-Year College Degree (BA, BS) and 6-8 years' experience.

Responsibilities

Maintain responsibility for the Zone-level implementation of the Subaru brand strategy with a specific focus on improving Subaru retailer marketing and championing "More than a Car Dealer."
Guide District Sales Managers (DSMs) and Zone retailers on how to increase demand and achieve sales targets.
Support marketing approximately half of time and support sales operations approximately half of time (including taking ownership of monthly and annual Zone sales targets, such as inventory management, incentives, and Trade Up Advantage).
Serve as communication liaison for all Marketing initiatives (including, but not limited to, brand, product, and retailer initiatives), Sales, and Incentives programs between the DSMs and zone retailers.
Lead and maintain responsibility for retailers’ enrollment and engagement in Subaru Marketing programs including Love Promise and Relationship and Owner programs.
Work closely with Zone retailers regarding program activation and provides direction and counsel to retailers regarding marketing efforts.
Provide Zone Marketing direction regarding understanding and applying Marketing resources to the District Managers.
Provide zone intelligence and strategies to the marketing support partners including the Carmichael Lynch, Dealer.com, Shift Digital, and Care Connect field teams.
Manage zone portion of the budgets for the Regional Discretionary Fund (RDF) incentives, media spend, marketing promotions, and selling expenses; work with Regional Marketing Manager and National Incentives Program Manager (in Sales) for budget management.
Communicate national and regional incentive programs and sales challenges to retailers and District Managers.
Develop and communicate programs as needed.
Work with DSMs and Zone retailers to efficiently utilize the Subaru Advertising Fund (SAF).
Help retailers within the Zone build out their Love Promise plans by having them develop promotional plans.
Provide guidance and oversight from a Zone perspective and work directly (on site) with retailers on retailer Marketing messaging and communication channels, as well as work with retailers on merchandising to ensure alignment with Subaru Marketing strategy.
Maintain responsibility for Zone Marketing event activation and management, including planning, budgeting, staffing, setup, and logistics.
Partner with SOA Experiential Marketing, Motorsports Marketing, and Auto Show teams to implement and execute Subaru Marketing events and initiatives.