Manager, Shopper Marketing

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced shopper marketer and people leader to join our fast-growing and fast-paced organization as the Manager, Shopper Marketing. As the Manager, Shopper Marketing, you will be responsible for leading the internal Shopper Marketing agency team of channel subject matter experts across an array of paid and owned shopper marketing channels to bring our national and retail focused brand plans to life in both the US and Canada.

You will champion the holistic shopper marketing plan, across channel strategy, learning agenda and ways of working, for channels and tactics such as retail media, digital shelf, retailer marketing partnerships, in-store and near-store marketing and sampling. You and your team will work cross-functionally with the brand and sales team and internal and external agency partners to deliver growth-oriented, excitement-driving and results focused shopper marketing plans and tactics and deliver their execution with excellence. You will build a culture and operating rhythm of continuous improvement and brand plan optimization based on consumer receptivity, the consumer shopping journey and business results. You will galvanize energy and focus across our relationships with external media, retailer marketing and MarTech partners, leading them to deliver best-in-class ideas and execution. This role requires a strong data-driven strategic and growth-oriented mindset, with a robust understanding of the shopper marketing and retail landscape, and the learning agility to thrive, develop a team and deliver business results in a dynamic environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategy and inputs for shopper marketing channels in the annual brand marketing plan
• Lead the development of strategic channel plans, tactical recommendations, and execution across channels of responsibility
• Lead, coach and mentor a team of channel subject matter experts across paid and owned shopper marketing channels (retail media, digital shelf, retail marketing partnerships, in-store and near-store marketing, sampling, etc.)
• Collaborate with cross-functional internal and external partners to develop and execute cohesive shopper marketing plans that balance short-term KPIs with retailer strategies, household penetration and long-term brand equity growth
• Integrate ways of working and operating rhythm for the shopper marketing team into the integrated agency team, establishing standards for: how the team partners with internal and external partners and vendors; channel SLAs; channel optimization approach; etc.
• Provide deep channel expertise and thought leadership across channels of responsibility, ensuring we are recommending and executing against channel and vendor best practices
• Identify the right vendor partners, and own the relationships across retail marketing, 3^rd party shopper marketing, and MarTech partners related to areas of expertise
• Partner with leadership to align MarTech needs and vendor selection to key areas of business focus and growth

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director, Media & CX

Role Location:
Chicago, IL, USA

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or college diploma in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in shopper marketing, with a focus on planning, execution and measurement of shopper marketing channels
• Experience leading a diverse team of channel subject matter experts
• Hands-on experience across numerous shopper marketing tactics and platforms would be considered an asset
• Prior agency experience would be considered an asset

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead, implement and measure robust integrated shopper marketing strategies, preferably with experience working on CPG & Fast Moving Consumer Goods brands
• Demonstrated ability to guide, coach and mentor a team with diverse skillsets and working styles
• Capability to translate brand objectives and plans into actionable and measurable shopper marketing strategies across paid and owned channels
• Ability to build and foster strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Deep understanding of brand building, the shopper journey and consumer acquisition strategies, with experience running full funnel, cross-channel plans that generate awareness, trial, conversion and retention
• Deep understanding of the US and Canadian retail and shopper marketing landscape, across Bricks & Mortar and Omni-Channel
• Proficiency and experience with a diverse range of shopper marketing tactics, platforms, technologies, and trends. Experience with in-store and near-store shopper marketing partners, retail media networks, and digital shelf management tools and techniques would be considered an asset.
• Developed understanding of ad tech and measurement capabilities across various shopper marketing channels
• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills, with the ability to leverage KPIs, data, metrics, and apply learnings in real time
• Robust learning agility, with the demonstrated flexibility, grit and ownership to learn new platforms and skills as the needs of the business continue to grow
• Positive, entrepreneurial, team-oriented spirit with excellent multitasking skills and the ability to deliver under tight timelines and adapt quickly to change
• Ability to travel in the USA and Canada as needed

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.