Flagship Event Manager

Flagship EM Program is designed to grow the future leaders of CDS, who will be the succession plan for future District Managers vacancies. This program is for high-performing, ambitious sales-focused Operators who are ready to lead the future of demo and experiential business, representing CDS in high visibility locations. The Flagship EM will drive future business strategies and be a hub for piloting new company initiatives. They will hone their understanding of our business, be more strategic in planning and execution, and will be customer “experience” focused (for Costco, their Members and our Vendors), and will collaborate across our business units to grow our business, demonstrating best in class.

Advantage Sales and Marketing LLC dba Advantage Solutions is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. Advantage Solutions services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Responsibilities

• Mirror partner ethos in operations and customer service

• Ensure operating procedures of the flagship location follow high standards of food safety and customer service excellence

• Design, organize and execute all aspects of daily operations with strong attention to detail

• Negotiate optimal placement of demonstration cart

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with partner and head office teams

• Direct all activities in creating successful demonstrations

• Select sales advisors and pair them appropriately to events

• Coach sales advisors on engagement, performance and sample availability

• Drive future business strategies and serve as a hub for piloting new company initiatives

• Follow all food safety and health and safety protocols

• Ensure best equipment for execution of events

• Achieve defined sales objectives through event activations

• Prepare daily sales goals and coach teams on how to achieve results

• Discuss cart placement strategy with partner leadership

• Collaborate with sales team on recipe ideas, special events and experiential calendar

• Organize and support partner and head office activations or events

• Support maintenance and ongoing development of corporate governance framework

• Ensure team follows corporate policies and procedures

• Model company values

• Train new event managers on site or at other locations as required

• Contribute to succession planning for district manager role

• Cover territory during district manager absence

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Associate degree or bachelor’s degree (preferred)

• Experience Requirements: 4–6 years experience in relevant field

• Travel requirement: Some travel expected

Supervisor Responsibility

Direct Reports: Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports: May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Required Knowledge and Skills

• College diploma or university degree, or equivalent years of experience

• Computer skills and ability to learn new applications quickly

• Presentation skills

• Ability to work independently and prioritize with minimal supervision to meet deadlines

• Flexible and adaptable to a high-pressure, changing environment

• High attention to detail

• Experience as a team leader with ability to direct, coach and handle sensitive human resource issues

• Conflict management skills

• Ability to work with changing schedule on occasion as required

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

Advantage Sales and Marketing LLC dba Advantage Solutions is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. Advantage Solutions services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Responsibilities

• Mirror partner ethos in operations and customer service

• Ensure operating procedures of the flagship location follow high standards of food safety and customer service excellence

• Design, organize and execute all aspects of daily operations with strong attention to detail

• Negotiate optimal placement of demonstration cart

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with partner and head office teams

• Direct all activities in creating successful demonstrations

• Select sales advisors and pair them appropriately to events

• Coach sales advisors on engagement, performance and sample availability

• Drive future business strategies and serve as a hub for piloting new company initiatives

• Follow all food safety and health and safety protocols

• Ensure best equipment for execution of events

• Achieve defined sales objectives through event activations

• Prepare daily sales goals and coach teams on how to achieve results

• Discuss cart placement strategy with partner leadership

• Collaborate with sales team on recipe ideas, special events and experiential calendar

• Organize and support partner and head office activations or events

• Support maintenance and ongoing development of corporate governance framework

• Ensure team follows corporate policies and procedures

• Model company values

• Train new event managers on site or at other locations as required

• Contribute to succession planning for district manager role

• Cover territory during district manager absence

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Associate degree or bachelor’s degree (preferred)

• Experience Requirements: 4–6 years experience in relevant field

• Travel requirement: Some travel expected

Supervisor Responsibility

Direct Reports: Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports: May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Required Knowledge and Skills

• College diploma or university degree, or equivalent years of experience

• Computer skills and ability to learn new applications quickly

• Presentation skills

• Ability to work independently and prioritize with minimal supervision to meet deadlines

• Flexible and adaptable to a high-pressure, changing environment

• High attention to detail

• Experience as a team leader with ability to direct, coach and handle sensitive human resource issues

• Conflict management skills

• Ability to work with changing schedule on occasion as required

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed in a retail in-store environment, which may include working in variable temperatures such as refrigerated areas, freezer sections and deli/bakery areas. The position typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each workday performing the following activities: Engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift, push and pull up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use consumer goods products, prepare, and serve food and beverages safely as appropriate for the product demonstration.

Additional Information Regarding Job Duties

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to race, nation or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and childbearing), sexual orientation, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability or pardoned criminal convictions, or any other category protected by law.

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Employee understands that neither the provision of the Job Description nor any representation in this document creates a guarantee or contract of employment for any specified period of time or changes the nature of Employee’s employment, which can only be modified in a writing signed by the CEO.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The Company welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations, accessible formats and communication supports upon request to persons with disabilities who take part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact: Recruiter, Talent Acquisition, for external applicants, or, a Supervisor for internal applicants.