Being a Mars Associate is all about opportunity. The opportunity to do the kind of challenging, interesting work that shapes the world’s best-loved brands. To work with real purpose, supported by talented, friendly people from all sorts of different backgrounds. And to access the tools, training, and experience you need to have a positive impact on our business, on the planet, and, most importantly, on your own career. Being a Mars Associate is more than a job. It’s the opportunity to start your tomorrow, today.

Shopper Marketing Manager – Target

Location: Minneapolis, MN or Newark, NJ

In today’s world, shopping has become even more seamless and connected due to the acceleration of digital as well as retailer media networks.  For brands, this presents both opportunities and challenges to ensure messaging and brand experiences are communicated throughout the path to purchase in ways that are compelling and breakthrough the clutter with the consumer.  This role is expected to provide fact and insight based solutions that drive growth for Mars Wrigley brands, our customers, and the Confectionery category overall.  Utilizing shopper insights, opportunity identification and full understanding of the marketing mix and brand priorities, this role is most critical in bringing our brands to life within the retailer ecosystem – in-store or online. This role will work closely with internal and external agency partners.  The role will require excellence in shopper marketing, digital/eCommerce, media expertise, cross-functional team collaboration, an entrepreneurial mind-set, comfort with ambiguity, and a high level of business acumen. 

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university
• 5+ years of experience in Shopper and/or Brand Marketing, Digital Marketing, Agency Experience
• Experience supporting two or more diverse functions including Sales, shopper or insights within a Consumer Package Goods company is preferred
• Exposure and/or experience with Sam’s Club and/or Club (sales, merchandising, advertising); Walmart experience a plus
• Understanding of digital media, targeting strategies, retailer media groups and associated capabilities and opportunities
• Strong creative thinker with the ability to develop and activate unique solutions that support the overall strategy.
• Must have strong command skills with the ability to present and influence at various levels across the organization both internally and with key customers.
• Proven experience in partnering with brands to bring activations to life through-the-line
• Familiarity with customer strategies and differences amongst channels
• Possess the ability, confidence and drive to isolate big opportunities and activate behind them.
• Must demonstrate highly developed project and vendor management skills.

Nice to Have:

• Master’s Degree in Business

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Create, plan and execute shopper marketing solutions that deliver profitable sales growth for customer. These solutions should include shopper expertise and insights across: digital, digital media, products/assortment (everyday/new products/promoted/seasonal), placement and everyday shelving and merchandising/signage, promotions, paid search, paid display media, and seasonal merchandising
• Drive the digital component of the shopper journey (pre-shop, shop, post-shop) to convert shoppers to buyers (e.g., use retailer digital platforms and retail media to promote and amplify in store experience, optimize search tactics to better reach the consumer during key decision windows)
• Develop customer-specific Shopper Marketing strategies, working with brand / customer marketing / sales to align on annual planning objectives, and identifying omni-channel & through-the-line solutions to bring brands & brand experiences to life in-store and online
• Influence Annual Account Business Planning at customer, through full partnering with sales team, by providing actionable shopper insights and solutions that support growth objectives for customer, company and category
• Identify specific research opportunities to bring new learning to shopper solutions
• Evaluate/monitor all customer shopper marketing solutions, turn analysis into recommended action and continually improve to be more effective and efficient for category and customer
• Build appropriate and unique partnerships with non-competing but aligned CPG organizations to leverage scale and impact on customer plans
• Leverage insights and resources through the utilization of a broad range of data sources, market research findings, tools, analyses, and technology to continually bring new shopper ideas to customer and company
• Execute “test and learn” shopper activation programs for the organization – share results across Shopper Marketing, Sales,Brand Management, and dCommerce
• Successfully manage shopper marketing agency relationship ensuring flawless execution of programs through strong project management skills, establishing process, budgeting, creative briefing and score carding against established goals outlined.
• Manage shopper marketing budget with no overspend with accountability for delivering program ROI, and measurement against objectives.
• Own the local relationship with Mediacom and TheMarsAgency, and maximize their insights and resources specific to business development at dCommerce accounts

Travel Required – <25% for customer visits

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package. 
• To be respected and valued.
• The Five Principles at the center of every decision we make
• The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.

#LI-BC1

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.