Sampling Program Manager

Carbliss•Plymouth, WI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Carbliss, a brand of family-owned SNFood & Beverage, is seeking a Sampling Program Manager to own and improve its national sampling program across internally managed and agency-supported markets. The role partners with Sales leadership, manages third-party agency relationships and performance, supports Brand Ambassador recruiting and training, and ensures consistent staffing, brand standards, and event execution across markets. The manager oversees sampling program systems and metrics, including administration of the PINATA platform, performance dashboards, reporting, and process improvements. The position also addresses staffing risks and program issues, supports payroll resolution for internal team members, and recommends staffing approaches for new and existing markets. The candidate must reside within 60 miles of Carbliss headquarters in Plymouth, Wisconsin. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role with a flexible hybrid schedule: two days working from home and three days in the office. The schedule is Monday through Friday.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in field marketing, experiential marketing, event management, workforce management, staffing, sales operations, or a related field.
Knowledge of field marketing, sampling, experiential marketing, consumer engagement programs, event execution, and ambassador program operations.
Experience analyzing data, reporting metrics, and identifying trends to support business decisions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate across departments.
Strong organizational, project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong presentation and training facilitation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to lead and influence individuals without direct supervisory authority while maintaining consistent standards across multiple markets and states.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and balance operational execution with strategic program improvement.
Must reside within 60 miles of Carbliss headquarters in Plymouth, Wisconsin.

Nice To Haves

Experience recruiting, training, coaching, or managing remote teams, contractors, or Brand Ambassadors.
Experience with workforce management, scheduling, event management, or field execution platforms.
Beverage alcohol, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or field sales experience.
Understanding of responsible alcohol service and beverage alcohol industry practices.
Strong recruiting, interviewing, and talent assessment skills.
Familiarity with multi-state workforce administration and compliance considerations.

Responsibilities

Own the operational delivery of the national sampling program across internally managed and agency-supported markets, maintaining consistent standards and expectations.
Partner with Sales leadership to support growth and market expansion and recommend improvements to program efficiency and effectiveness.
Manage day-to-day relationships with third-party sampling agencies, including expectations, service standards, and performance metrics.
Monitor agency performance and hold partners accountable for recruiting, staffing, responsiveness, ambassador quality, training compliance, and event execution.
Recruit Brand Ambassadors for internally managed markets and work with agencies to maintain talent pipelines in existing and emerging markets.
Manage onboarding and training for internally managed Brand Ambassadors and establish training requirements, brand standards, and resources for agency-provided ambassadors.
Develop and maintain national sampling training materials covering products, brand expectations, and sampling procedures.
Monitor staffing across markets and proactively identify coverage risks, staffing gaps, cancellations, no-shows, and recurring market challenges.
Coordinate internal staffing solutions and hold agencies accountable for resolving gaps, supporting Market Managers and Sales leadership with priority events and escalated needs.
Manage professionalism, performance, and accountability for internally managed Brand Ambassadors through coaching, corrective action, or removal when appropriate.
Investigate sampling concerns reported by accounts, distributors, consumers, Market Managers, and internal stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution of issues involving agency-provided ambassadors.
Track agency KPIs, including no-show and cancellation rates, training and event-report completion, ambassador retention, and issue resolution.
Investigate timekeeping discrepancies and missed punches, ensure event reports and required documentation are completed, and partner with payroll to resolve internal pay concerns.
Administer sampling technology platforms, including PINATA, and manage ambassador access, communications, system training, reporting, and performance dashboards.
Analyze program metrics, identify trends, maintain accurate records, and support process improvements and technology enhancements.
Recommend internal or agency staffing approaches for markets based on staffing needs, program performance, and market demands.
Continuously improve sampling training, staffing processes, agency partnerships, and program execution.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
401(k) retirement plan with an immediate 4% employer match.
Health Savings Account (HSA).
Company-paid life insurance.
Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
Critical illness, accident coverage, and hospital indemnity coverage.
Six weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave.
Competitive salary and bonus.
Paid time off and nine paid holidays, with Veterans Day off as a bonus for veterans.
Birthday off.
All-inclusive annual trip for two.
Company-branded apparel allowance.
Employee discount and perks program.