The Market Manager is a full-time position and is pivotal in the meticulous management of all in-market events, where your primary goal is to guarantee their seamless execution while maintaining alignment with the broader brand strategy. This responsibility encompasses a diverse array of essential tasks aimed at ensuring excellent execution and amplifying the execution of each event, all while ensuring that they uphold the brand's consistency and integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Coordinate the staffing and logistics of all in-market events. 

·       Serve as the primary point of contact to a team of Promotional Specialists, assisting with scheduling, reporting, and communication as needed.

·       Perform quality control inspections to ensure that the execution meets the expectations of the client.

·       Provide feedback to improve execution standards and results for On- and Off-Premise events.

·       Handle logistics of all promotions within assigned geographic area of responsibility.

·       Recruit prospective Promotional Specialists at all attended promotions.

·       Ensure that Promotional Specialists have the necessary training and materials prior to promotions.

·       Manage promotional material inventory (POS) and warehousing.

·       Assist in any brand, trade, special events or ad hoc programs in market, such as:

o   Distributor GSM/Brand Launches/Kickoff Events

o   Trade Engagement Activations

o   Local brand initiatives and consumer activations

·       Ensure all events and staff adhere to company, DISCUS and State mandated regulations including sampler licenses if needed.

·       Management of post-event responsibilities (ensuring event recapping is done accurately and on time, verifying the payroll procedure is followed, qualitative feedback is collected and shared with client).

·       Support the RAM, Client Field Marketing Manager (FMM), and Territory FMM (TFMM) on sampling-related and ad hoc assignments.

·       Act as an extension of the client team to maintain consistent branding, compliance, and execution excellence

Recruit/Train Event Teams

·       Must have access to a network of talented staff.

·       Manage event staff pool to ensure the sampler base continually supports the needs of an ever-changing business.

·       Foster execution of flawless events (includes, but is not limited to, on-site sampling, engaging consumers, delivering key brand communications, distributing POS, facilitating data capture)

Manage Key Relationships

·       Confirm event activations with account management prior to execution.

·       Liaise with local client sales teams and retail partners on a daily/weekly basis.

·       Collaborate with third-party agencies, when necessary.

·       Maintain a positive and proactive relationship with the local sales teams as well as account management and staff.

·       Maintain account and distributor partner contact lists. Build trade/bartender relationships through account visits.

Financial Responsibility

·       Manage event budgets.

·       Coordinate payment of all bar tabs or per event supplies directly with account partners or staff.

·       Manage the payroll process of all staff.

·       Submit and review receipts in a timely manner to ensure they are compliant.

Report on Event Activity

·       Maintain and update scheduling of events in the Event Management System.

·       Review and approve event recaps within 48 hours of event to ensure data integrity.

·       Report event and overall program feedback to RAM.

·       Work with Promotional Specialist to attain high-quality event photos that capture the brand experience.

·       Create post-program Market specific recaps for the client that identify and report on key performance indicators, event data, provides photos, etc.

Qualifications: 

·       High School Diploma or GED

·       2+ years prior experience in event management

·       Experience in recruiting and staffing for events, preferably with existing relationships with potential staff

·       Access to event staff personnel

·       Excellent communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills; able to work cross-functionally with clients, field teams, and agency partners.

·       Strong budget management skills

·       Ability to prioritize and juggle many tasks

·       Excellent presentation and organizational skills

·       Effective training experience is preferred

·       Knowledge of wine and spirits industry is mandatory

·       Trade contacts are a plus

·       Skilled at managing client relationships.

·       Self-starter, strategic thinker, and proactive problem solver.

·       Experience with inventory management

·       Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong leadership skills

·       Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook

·       Must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance

·       Comfortable lifting/transporting event kits/boxes

·       Chicagoland area resident required , but will have full IL coverage. Strong familiarity with the Chicago market

·       Ability to travel (in-state) up to 50 % of time

What We Offer:  

·       Competitive pay.

·       Comprehensive benefits including medical, vision, dental, and access to a suite of wellness programs.

·       A generous PTO policy including company holidays, vacation days, wellness days.

·       Opportunities to learn and grow while making an impact.

·       A group of people who value each other as much as the work we create.

*Certain employee benefits are only applicable to full-time employees. 

We love our diverse workplace! SoHo Experiential is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.