Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Smith & Wesson Seeking Brand Manager – M&P Candidates

Brand Manager – M&P (Springfield, MA)

This position provides the oversight and direction for the M&P brand: brand hierarchy, market positioning, advertising and consumer facing materials. With budget management for brand, the position focuses on the most effective long-range strategic planning and performance tracking (P+ l) by brand category and product type.

Essential duties include the following - other duties may be assigned:

  • Brand and product architecture-Determine the positioning of all brands and the hierarchy of brand architecture. This will include the clear definition of major and supporting brands, their consumer perception and brand promise. Utilize consumer data to categorize product concepts to the appropriate brand and market based on research. Final decision maker on brand name and sub-brand identifier for all new products.
  • Strategic Market Planning- Continually evolve the 18 month plan, provide direction, supporting data and tactical plan for achieving annual Company Goals and each brand and product / category goals. Continually build and support the brand to ensure consistency in image
  • Executive Level Interaction - regular communication/ presentations on performance against critical measurements, actions to correct or take further advantage of market conditions and trends. Provide long-term (18-24 month) strategic objectives for the brands based on Company goals. Present long ­ term brand roadmap to assist Director team with attaining proper funding.
  • Product Lifecycles and Commercialization - Create and lead a comprehensive go- to - market campaign for product launches (new and line extensions). Manage day-to-day progress of product brand planning and execution. Analyze consumer trends and information, to help Innovation team identify product categories to enter as future sources of growth. Create and lead product brand initiatives to deliver volume and profit objectives.
  • Budgeting -- Direct budget usage by brand for marketing activities. Responsible and accountable for the coordinated management of multiple marketing projects directed toward strategic business and other organizational objectives.
  • Marketing materials- provide objectives and strategies for marketing materials, message and content at trade shows (domestic and international), including packaging of branded accessories and finished goods to meet brand strategy. Final approval on all materials before final execution or production.
  • Marketing research and studies-Consult with Director of Marketing Services and provide briefs needed to perform comprehensive brand, product and consumer studies to better define our brand messaging and product offering. Analyze market, consumer, competitive and channel / consumer information to support product pricing and product category range alignment. Provide brand strategy guidelines for Innovation team.
    • Forecasting -- Assist Demand Planner to create financial projections and forecasts for new product introductions and current product ranges.
    • Pricing - - Establish pricing for new products and categories within assigned brands. Continually monitor and evaluate competitive pricing. Recommend pricing strategies and tactics to maintain market relevance and competitive position for products within assigned brand(s).
    • Communications Plan- Provide brand strategy and spend parameters to Marketing Communications Manager to plan for the future. Review and approve all communication plans for the upcoming 18 months by brand, product line and media.
  • Industry Brand Liaison- Represent the brand externally within the industry; develop and manager industry relationships with other companies, conservation groups, strategic partners and individuals who enhance our brand.
  • Mentoring and Employee Development - Coach, mentor and lead personnel within the brand and marketing environment to meet strategic objectives and performance goals. Assist other Directors with team building. ·
  • Consumer retail channel strategy- Provide Channel Marketing Director with brand strategy at retail for the upcoming 18 months. Partner with Director of Channel Marketing to activate brand strategy at critical retailer touch points to identify programming to generate incremental sales and/or profitability. Foster close coordination within the company including the brand managers, channel managers and sales team.
  • Performance Management -- Monitor and report brand performance, making recommendations for modifying plan when necessary to achieve objectives. Analyze and report impact of marketing activities and other brand investment.

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelors' degree required, MBA is preferred
  • Minimum of 8-1 O years professional experience in consumer goods industry required; prior experience in outdoor goods industry preferred
  • Minimum of 5 years in management roles
  • Domestic brand marketing experience is required
    • A track record of delivering outstanding tangible results in a high performance environment
    • Strong leadership skills and ability to be diplomatically persuasive / assertive
    • Proven success in commercializing new products
    • Follow-through skills & strong attention to detail
    • A sense of urgency and independent initiative toward accomplishing objectives
    • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skill; excellent customer-relations skills
      • Strong organizational skills; ability to manage many diverse projects with different deadlines and priorities
      • Must have experience with strategic marketing campaign implementation
        • Ability to communicate conceptual ideas and-establish team expectations
        • Ability to define a path moving forward in situations with limited information
        • Ability to analyze opportunities, define successful approaches and proactively solve issues
        • Currently have or able to obtain a Massachusetts Firearms License to Carry
        • Must be comfortable handling firearms

Benefits include competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and qualifying dependents as well as 401(k) with company match, Profit Sharing plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, product discounts, and generous paid time off.

Link to apply:

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=1055241&d=External&r=5000453434406&_fromPublish=true#/