Assistant Project Manager, Retail - Toronto, ON

Pernod Ricard

Corby’s  portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including Wiser's Canadian Whisky, Lamb's Rum and Polar Ice Vodka. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT Vodka, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s Scotch Whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Malibu Rum, Kahlua Liqueur, Mumm Champagne, Jacob's Creek, Wyndham Estate and Stoneleigh wines.  An overview of the entire Corby portfolio shows over 5,000,000 cases sold annually, with Corby being a significant importer of wines and having an approximate 21 percent market share of spirit sales in Canada.

 

Why work at Corby? Because we are a great place to work! And we’re not the only ones who think so. Corby was named one of Canada’s Best Workplaces in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada, based on employee survey results and an audit of workplace excellence and people management practices.

 

Position Summary

The Assistant Project Manager – Retail primary purpose is to project manage key retail sampling activation initiatives from brief to execution and measurement and to manage the procurement retail POS.

 

The Assistant Project Manager - Retail will report to the Senior Trade Marketing Manager- Retail (STMM-Retail) and will also support the STMM-Retail as part of the Retail Trade Marketing team.

 

In order to deliver excellent project management, this role requires a cross-functional way of working both internally, leveraging the internal collaboration model and core Trade Marketing processes and externally with key BTL agencies; managing the day to day contact with the national Retail Sampling BTL agencies in particular.

 

The Assistant Project Manager (APM-R) – Retail will possess a good understanding of the Corby brand portfolio; brand plans, key initiatives and brand positioning.  In addition, the APM-R will have good knowledge of the Retail channel nationally (both liquor board and private markets) with respect to POS requirements and opportunities and retail sampling initiatives and opportunities.

 

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

- Project manage national retail sampling projects from briefing through to execution - bringing the key brand sampling / sampling objectives to life in the retail environment in a relevant and engaging way.

- Project manage the procurement of retail POS with a national scope - working cross-functionally to achieve impactful in-store creative as well as adherence to timelines.

- Identify and deliver relevant and actionable insights with a national perspective.  Integrate these insights into the areas of responsibility – retail POS procurement and national retail sampling.

- Support the FMMs and Regional Directors as part of the transition to the ‘Last 3 Feet’ on retail sampling activation and in-store POS

 

Partnership Building

- Be a key contributor to the Trade Marketing cross-functional way of working and the Collaboration model process.

- Build good working partnerships with key stakeholders especially the FMMs and brand teams.

- Manage external partners and work collaboratively with them on product costs and timelines

 

Planning and Organizing

- Be a custodian / steward of the Trade Marketing cross-functional way of working and the Collaboration model process and constantly suggest improvement in the way of working;

- Consistently demonstrate project management skills - work-back schedules, time-lines, project plans. take the responsibility to influence and engage the key stakeholders throughout the life of a project / initiative.

- Where applicable effectively manage BTL budgets for POS and program execution.

- Prioritize and manage projects and workload based on the business priorities

 

Execution

- Development, project management and roll-out of national Retail sampling activations and national in-store POS procurement that drive conversion and build visibility for the right brands at the right time in the right environment.

- Ensure all planned initiatives are field ready and have good customer fit – ensure FMMs have the necessary information for flawless execution against planned objectives.

- Manage the day to day relationship with the key Retail agency

- Manage critical path for development and execution of national sampling activities and in-store POS

- Consistently support and demonstrate the “executional excellence” mantra for the Retail channel and lead the post-mortem feedback on national Retail sampling programs.

 

Measurement and Feedback

- Ensure all major initiatives are evaluated and provide on-going feedback and recommendations

 

Support

- Support the Senior Trade Marketing Manager - Retail on key projects and initiatives relating to the Retail where required, for example;

 • Merchandising Guidelines

 • ‘Go to Market’ toolkits

 

Key Competencies

Portfolio, Brands & Products

Ability to develop and maintain a deep knowledge of Pernod Ricard’s brands and their positioning within the competitive landscape to be able to coordinate portfolio and channel strategy, and to offer adequate solution to stakeholders

 

Market & Environment

Ability to develop and maintain a deep knowledge of the business landscape and environment evolutions (legal, supply chain, tools…): key players (competitors, other consumer brands companies, key customers, …), distribution channels – including their distinct go to market strategies – and category trends, in order to maximize business opportunities

 

Consumer/Shopper Insight

Ability to develop an intimate understanding of consumer & shopper behaviors, to identity insights and trends, in order to capture sources of business in line with business objectives and brand strategy

 

Promotional Activation

Ability to develop & implement promotional activities and / or guidelines across the relevant touchpoints, consistent with the strategy (Brand/Portfolio/Channel/Market) in order to meet shoppers’ needs

 

Trade Marketing Strategy & Planning

Ability to define and drive a trade marketing strategy, leveraging the portfolio and optimizing resource allocation, in alignment with sales and marketing strategies

 

Creativity & Innovation

Ability to generate, inspire and implement new and relevant ideas by thinking out-of-the-box, finding innovative solutions and transforming them into actionable initiatives

 

Analytical Thinking

Ability to identify all appropriate information, break things down and determine cause and effect relationships to make effective recommendations and develop operational actions

 

Business Acumen

Ability to view the business from a holistic perspective, understand its financial, legal, commercial and operational underpinnings and what it takes to make it profitable

 

Project Management & Planning

Ability to plan manage and prioritize complex and diverse tasks across multiple projects, ensuring successful and timely implementation

 

Influencing & Networking

Ability to influence and mobilize a network of key stakeholders in order to establish and develop mutually beneficial and trusting business relationships

 

Education & Experience

• College diploma required; University degree preferred 

• Minimum 1 year experience in Sales / Marketing within CPG and/or alcoholic beverages

• Project management experience

• Previous brand/event activation experience

 

Thank you for your interest in Pernod Ricard Americas and its subsidiaries, Corby Spirit and Wine and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. All resumes submitted will be reviewed by Corby's dedicated recruitment team and kept on file for six months in consideration for this and future opportunities.  Please note that only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not contact provincial offices directly as all recruitment is coordinated through the Corporate Office in Toronto.

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