Store Marketing & Merchandising Liaison

TITLE:  Store Marketing & Merchandising Liaison

DEPARTMENT:  Brand & Store Development    STATUS: Full-time, At-Will, Hourly   

REPORTS TO:  Marketing & Merchandising Manager

JOB SUMMARY: The Liaison is the connection between the Central Office Marketing department and retail locations by working with the store team to ensure marketing, merchandising, promotional areas, educational materials, product samplings, event coordination, and brand image are cultivated and maintained on the retail floors for assigned store locations.

They ensure the highest level of service possible to Outpost’s internal and external customers and are instrumental in building sales.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Fast paced retail floor with occasional cold climate conditions such as store refrigeration, kitchen and kitchen equipment. Intermittently in business office environment with moderate noise including but not limited to computers, printers, paging, telephones, and human voices. Job related travel within metro Milwaukee area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1.  Customer Service

1. Treat customers, coworkers, and vendors fairly, consistently, and with respect.
2. Ensure efficient, informative, and friendly service according to established customer service vision and standards.

2.  Primary Responsibilities

Leadership

1. Model supportive and participatory leadership qualities, promote team building, and motivate staff to achieve their stated objectives.
2. Treat staff and managers with consistency and fairness, in a style appropriate to a cooperative work environment.
3. Ensure that communications are clear, direct, and respectful.
4. Ensure the integrity of Outpost’s stated values in decision-making and interactions with others.
5. Use the interest-based problem-solving method to resolve issues.

Merchandising

1. Merchandise according to the standards and guidelines for brand compliance.
2. Implement in-store messaging and category signage.
3. Collaborate with department managers and staff to maintain monthly endcap and promotional area displays, to ensure they are built according to hot sheet with appropriate signage and props.
4. Work between locations as a team on large resets, new stores, and/or remodel projects to ensure correct placement of new products in existing product sets.
5. Work with department managers to coordinate small resets and/or new or discontinued product slotting and shelf allocation.
6. Resolve merchandising issues in store departments, as assigned by Marketing and Merchandising Manager.
7. Conduct monthly meetings with department managers regarding new products, discontinued, special promotions, etc., as directed by Marketing and Merchandising Manager.
8. Train store and department staff on merchandising techniques and brand standards.
9. Implement cross-merchandising plans within store and departments.
10. Implement and maintain store merchandising tools, displays, equipment and shelf management according to budget.
11. Participate in merchandising audits. Work with department teams to make corrections and/or reinforce success.
12. Coordinate, install, and remove seasonal and event decorations in a timely manner.
13. Ensure sign formats and templates are produced and displayed in all departments.
14. Assist departments in completing workload when vacancies exist.

Demos & Store Events/Promotions

1. Lead store(s) in setting up for events and demos. Conduct demos when needed or assigned.
2. Manage supplies, equipment, props, for merchandising and sampling needs for store demos and events.
3. Ensure products used for promotional events are accurately accounted according to established systems.
4. Work at store promotions and events as assigned.
5. Attend and participate in monthly promotional meetings, taking notes as assigned and following up with attendees to ensure promotional plans are implemented.

3.  Program and Information Management; Education

1. Identify and implement educational messaging needed to sell products, including tasting notes, shelf-talkers, POP.
2. Provide regular updates to Multimedia Editor regarding new products, events, product samplings,  promotions, etc. for use on social media channels to help effectively promote unique features at store location.
3. Manage signage related to products identified in magazine and other publications for call-out in stores.
4. Ensure magazine and other educational materials are stocked and visible to customers.
5. Coordinate the display and upkeep of store signage systems (regional/local, info signs, etc.) ensuring they are produced and displayed.
6. Audit and implement NCG programming requirements and core product sets as required.
7. Meet with department managers to review any changes to category mix and or vendor selection with information from the Purchasing Manager.
8. Ensure all temporary posters and displays are installed and then removed in a timely manner.