What are the responsibilities and job description for the Account Specialist position at Pilot Corporation of America?
Partner in the planning, development, and implementation of marketing strategies and promotional activities within channels/accounts. Ensure brand, channel, and corporate strategies are aligned with channel/account goals and activities. Help ensure successful new product launches and alignment of goals toward the achievement of profitable sales by gaining new distribution and strengthening existing distribution.
Responsibilities
BUSINESS PLANNING:
- Work closely with Sales Managers and team to develop, refine and implement annual account/channel goals, strategy and growth tactics that are in line with brand strategy and sales target achievement – from development of concept to execution.
- Identify and communicate account/channel product, promotion, and merchandising opportunities. Provide strategic direction, background, requirements and account/channel insights toward development of new projects and creative briefs.
- Work with Marketing Insights on regular monitoring of sales trends, consumer reviews, assortment and pricing optimization and industry analysis.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current trends, industry news and competitive landscape for account/channel, digital marketing and account/channel environment. Update planning and reference tools including Trade Promotional Calendar, New Item Launch Calendar, Account Specific Reference Documents and BTS Audits.
- Develop thorough working understanding of account vendor websites and portals for POS analysis, promotional performance and product set up functions.
- Prepare, attend and deliver meaningful presentations at customer meetings with the team. Represent the company at trade shows and events.
- Act as central contact for all departments for day-to-day trade marketing direction and information for account/channel specific projects and products. Represent the needs and perspective of assigned account/channel at internal planning, packaging design and product launch discussions.
PROMOTIONAL PLANNING & EXECUTION:
- Partner with Sales Managers and team to develop and maintain calendar of promotions and deals designed to complement seasonal sales and profitability goals with respect for inventory planning and coordination across Pilot’s channels of business. Implement sell-in and sell-through support promotional plans and retail opportunities.
- Recap and evaluate promotions toward maximum ROI and optimize future programs to deliver the best return. Maintain history of past promotions and results.
- Help manage budget for promotional & trade marketing activities.
TRADE ADVERTISING & MARKETING SUPPORT:
- Work with Sales Managers for ongoing management of channel/account product catalog, including product pipeline for new and exclusive items, launch support, merchandising campaigns, content optimization and promotional activities to support Pilot’s brand presence and growth.
- Work with the team to develop comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with overall brand goals, focusing on tactics to influence retailers and distributors to stock and promote products effectively at assigned accounts/channels.
- Work with Product Management to initiate new internal item set up and execution for launch support plans of customer-specific items, displays and new item launches.
- Provide project direction and collaborate with the Creative Services, Marketing, Product Management and Purchasing teams on the development, production and project management of marketing materials including social media support, POP displays and signage, promotional materials, trade advertising, digital content and campaigns, sampling vehicles, tradeshow elements and promotional activity.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree plus up to 5 years of previous sales or marketing experience in a consumer products environment for the Commercial and Retail Mass Market. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of influencing decision making. A high degree of accuracy and detail orientation is essential, along with excellent project management abilities. Excellent proof-reading skills are essential.