Description

Job Summary:

The Marketing Manager is responsible for all aspects of managing the marketing, promotion, education, and outreach for Whole Foods Co-op (WFC). This includes managing marketing department employees and activities, WFC brand, and WFC’s brand story. The Marketing Manager works closely with the General Manager, the Leadership Team, and members of the management team to further WFC’s ENDS.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Job Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Planning: Collaboratively develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy, plan, and budget annually, including internal and external advertising, promotions, public relations, signs, and general publicity. Ensure that visual, written, and verbal content of all elements of the plan cohesively reflect WFC’s ENDS. Generate awareness and excitement about WFC through the development and promotion of WFC’s brand story.
• Brand Management: Ensure advertising and customer-facing communications support the brand and current promotions. Maintain brand standards for use in training staff and supporting managers’ enforcement of brand adherence.
• Promotions: Coordinate and participate in regular promotions planning to ensure appropriate and effective strategies are used to execute the brand within the stores and externally. Participate in developing programs and planning for holidays, special sales, and events utilizing established industry-specific promotional tools. Create timely and effective content for print and electronic advertising, WFC website, and social media; measure and report on efficacy of advertising and marketing strategies.
• Outreach, Education, and Events: Develop and execute staff and community education through various channels including, but not limited to, signage, in-person classes, print, video and electronic content, and WFC’s website. Coordinate WFC-sponsored events and WFC’s participation in community-sponsored events to promote WFC’s brand and products.
• Public Relations: Seek out and respond to the media to obtain favorable coverage. Maintain and monitor channels of communication including administration of surveys, online reviews, and social media interactions. Administer donations programs within desired parameters. Coordinate participation in advocating for public policies favorable to goals consistent with WFC’s ENDS.
• Owner Services: Develop and coordinate programs, outreach, promotions, and events specific to achieve goals for Owner growth and retention, including the Annual Owners Meeting. Ensure quality and timeliness of the publication and distribution of Owner communications including the Owner newsletters and Annual Report. Collaborate with the General Manager to ensure the Board of Directors is assisted with general Ownership matters.
• Oversee and Manage Marketing Department: Hire, train, evaluate, coach, and supervise department employees in compliance with established practices, policies, and budget restrictions. Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and quality of all department work.
• Leadership Team: Be an active member of the leadership team including, but not limited to, strategic planning for the co-op as a whole; attending and participating in required department and storewide meetings; and demonstrating leadership.
• Ensure cleanliness and maintenance of department areas and equipment.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the General Manager.

Essential Organization Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Abide by all WFC policies and procedures
• Engage in creating and maintaining a positive, ethical, and productive workplace that contributes to achieving progress on WFC’s ENDS.
• Follow and ensure compliance with all safety practices and policies
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory guidance including but not limited to Minnesota Department of Agriculture and National Organic Standards
• Promote ownership and owner benefits consistently and positively

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience in retail, grocery, natural foods and/or cooperative management

Essential Knowledge Skills, Abilities

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience developing, documenting and implementing successful promotions/advertising/marketing plan within budget
• Minimum three (3) years' professional experience managing employees and working with a team
• Computer proficiency including, but not limited to, keyboard experience, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Wordpress, social media platforms, online survey tools
• Experience creating and managing effective marketing campaigns that align with brand requirements and maximize impact including print, digital, video, social media, email, direct mail, collaborations, and events.
• Experience with graphic design, photography, layout, copy editing
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google adwords, website analytic tools, website navigation
• Experience with website maintenance
• Proven leadership skills
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple demands, work under time pressures, and meet department work objectives
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Willingness to learn and perform all aspects of the position
• Demonstrate objectivity, neutrality and calmness under pressure
• Ability to operate effectively within established systems and procedures
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible and to adapt to changing conditions
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and follow through on commitment
• Experience designing, coordinating and/or conducting education programs/presentations
• Demonstrated effectiveness in public speaking to diverse audiences in a variety of settings. Ability to effectively convey information
• Available to work evenings, weekends, holidays
• Available during off-duty hours via telephone for emergency situations
• Valid driver’s license and ability to report to all WFC locations or other off-site work locations
• Occasionally travel for required trainings and conferences as directed by General Manager

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ability to frequently lift and move up to 25 lbs. throughout shift
• Ability to occasionally move more than 25 lbs. throughout shift
• Ability to move around the premises throughout shift
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time
• Ability to operate position-required machinery
• Ability to do repetitive office tasks including, but not limited to filing, using a computer keyboard, understanding information from a computer screen/LCD monitor and written materials for the entirety of shift
• Ability to safely use sharp cutting instruments

Work Environment:
Constant Exposure

• Background music and in-store pages
• Food odors, grain and spice dust, food allergens

Frequent Exposure

• Handling wet, hot, cold, and/or frozen product
• Wet and/or humid conditions
• Change in room temperatures
• Carts, pallets, and hand-trucks moving in and out of storage/retail areas

Occasional Exposure

• Outdoor weather conditions

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The essential duties and responsibilities and knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment change.
Employees must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Any questions regarding accommodations should be directed to the Human Resources Manager.