Job Description

General Pet Supply


Work Location: IL - Chicago
Job Code: 10413


Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is home to a leading portfolio of over 65 forward-thinking, high-quality brands dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Pet acquisition in the wake of COVID is higher among the younger generational cohorts (Millennials and Gen Z) and, driven by Millennials, spending on pets is expected to double by 2030. These are entrepreneurial categories, in which you’ll have the opportunity to test and learn, innovate, and develop marketing skills through hands-on opportunities.

Our Pet Segment is searching for a Customer Marketing Manager to join our high-growth, startup team on the “Health and Wellness” Business Unit (BU). This BU offers products that support the general health and wellbeing of dogs and cats, with a portfolio of brands in the calming, supplements, and flea & tick categories. The business is sold on e-commerce through retailers like Amazon and Chewy and has a significant presence in the Pet Specialty channel and at Walmart. There is ample opportunity to extend the distribution footprint behind powerful collaboration with our Sales and Category Management teams and to build insights-based selling strategies, inclusive of shopper marketing and promotional planning. This position will serve as the liaison between marketing and sales functions, representing the “voice of the retailer” within the BU and the “voice of the brands” with retail partners. Success will require building an in depth understanding of brand goals, channel strategy, and customer/retailer dynamics and being able to shift between strategic planning and tactical execution. You will be a critical partner with broad exposure to Category Management, Insights & Analytics, and a cross-functional BU team including finance, brand management, operations, etc. The position reports to the General Manager of the “Health & Wellness” BU.

The reporting manager for this role is based in Chicago. While we are open to all candidates who live within 30 miles of a Central location, found on our website , we do prioritize candidates in Chicago, Bentonville, Walnut Creek, and Phoenix.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Selling Strategy: Create best-in-class selling stories backed by compelling analytics and actionable recommendations for all key Trade Shows and Customer Collaboration Planning sessions

• Pricing Execution: Provide analytic support and solicit team feedback to influence pricing strategies and implementation, including IMAP; manage portfolio price lists and communicates changes within required timelines

• Demand Planning: Track assumptions and communicate changes in the forecasting process; proactively flag risks and opportunities; work with Sales to recommend gap fill initiatives and support execution with Customer Service and Supply

• Budget Management: Develop and implement profitable trade, promotional, and merchandising programs by channel and by customer, that are timely and on-budget; track performance and recommend improvements to drive ROI

• New Item Launches: Influence new product pipeline with key retailer insights and Sales team feedback; provide key analysis to facilitate accurate Sales forecasts for new distribution

• Sales Enablement: Publish all Sales-facing updates and announcements through internal sales bulletins and communication channels; manage Sales sample requests; maintain sales tools (eg. SWAG, tear pads, displays)

• Inventory Management: Manage excess inventory to maximize sales and profitability

DESIRED SKILLS

• Analytical Mindset: We value a leader who can analyze data from a variety of sources and draw actionable, impactful conclusions that set the strategy for in-market activation and new product development. We’re growing a new business, quickly, and seek someone with a bias for optimism and a knack for problem solving.

• Customer Orientation: Everything we do is grounded in data and insight. The ideal candidate is a student of the CPG industry, the retail landscape, and successful selling strategies. They are passionate about delivering compelling and inspiring strategies to our Retailer partners.

• Collaboration: Our matrixed organization values teamwork, active listening, and trust. This job requires someone who can build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships, often across multiple geographies & time zones. Excellent written and verbal communication is a must.

• Organization & Time Management: High-growth businesses move quickly. This person will be balancing multiple priorities / projects in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. We need this person to maintain timelines and budgets, seeing the interdependencies of tasks and seeking help with roadblocks early.

• Detail Orientation: A commitment to accuracy and quality remains central to the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College Degree (BA/BS) required

• 3-7 years’ experience working in a sales organization

• Consumer Packaged Goods and/or B2C ecommerce sales preferred; Pet industry a plus

• Open to travel once per quarter

• Computer proficiency on all MS Office applications

• SAP experience a plus

The Health and Wellness BU is unique within Central because key members are geographically dispersed. Several leaders are in Chicago, but we have core team members in New York, Austin, and Walnut Creek, CA. Sales personnel are dispersed throughout the country. Manufacturing, purchasing, engineering and some R & D is in Dallas, Texas. It is expected that this position would develop a close and collaborative working relationship across the entire organization.

WORK CONDITIONS

• 25% Travel
• Computer proficiency on all MS Office applications
• Remote or Hybrid work environment depending on location of candidate

The reporting manager for this role is based in Chicago, Illinois, and the Business Unit is formally located at our corporate office in Walnut Creek, California. Sales personnel are dispersed throughout the country. Manufacturing, purchasing, engineering and some R & D is in Dallas, Texas. It is expected that this position would develop a close and collaborative working relationship across the entire organization.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual profit-sharing bonus!
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2022 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Ferry~Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central Garden & Pet is based in Walnut Creek, California and has over 7,000 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please see our website at www.central.com for additional company information.

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