Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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PURPOSE:

Trade Show and Industry Manager with a focus on managing the sampling process requires a clear definition of responsibilities and expectations. This role should encompass planning, execution, and analysis of trade shows and industry events, with a particular emphasis on overseeing the sampling of products. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

Trade Show Strategy Development 

•  Develop and implement a comprehensive trade show strategy aligned with the company's marketing and business objectives. 

•  Identify key industry events and trade shows that are relevant for the company's products and target market. 

 Event Planning and Coordination 

•  Coordinate logistics for trade shows and industry events, including booth design, staffing, and setup. 

•  Work with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Sales, Operations) to ensure alignment on event goals and messaging. 

•  Manage budgets for trade shows, ensuring effective allocation of resources. 

Sampling Program Management 

•  Design and implement effective sampling strategies to maximize product exposure and engagement during trade shows. 

•  Oversee the logistics of product sampling, including sourcing, preparation, and distribution of samples. 

•  Ensure compliance with industry regulations and guidelines regarding sampling practices. 

 Team Leadership and Collaboration 

•  Lead a team responsible for executing trade show activities, ensuring clear communication and collaboration among team members. 

•  Train and prepare staff on product knowledge, sampling techniques, and customer engagement strategies. 

On-Site Management 

•  Oversee the execution of trade show activities on-site, ensuring that sampling processes are running smoothly and efficiently. 

•  Monitor the performance of the trade show and sampling efforts, making real-time adjustments as needed to enhance engagement. 

Industry Relationship Management 

•  Build and maintain relationships with event organizers, industry partners, and vendors to enhance future participation. 

•  Engage with industry stakeholders and customers during events to gather insights and feedback. 

•  Work for industry publications to highlight the success of pladis, launching of innovation and corporate news 

Trend Monitoring and Innovation 

• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging sampling techniques. 

• Innovate and adapt sampling strategies to meet changing consumer preferences and market conditions. 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential Criteria

• 4+ years selling experience managing direct and broker managed sales models  

• 4+ years of CPG or food sales experience  

• Selling within the CPG specializing on food products  

• Experience selling to small, mid-tier and large grocery markets  

• Developing and leading multi-year strategic plans  

• Leveraging analytics to identify trends, opportunities and business insight  

• Strong business acumen; specifically with P&L management, Trade Management and Demand Planning  

• Strong broker management and/or team leadership experience  

• Trade Promotion Management System experience preferred  

Desirable Criteria

• Strong skill level in Microsoft applications  

• Preferred experience using & leveraging consumer insights  

• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills  

• Effective problem-solving skills  

• Excellent interpersonal skills needed for working cross-functionally with internal and external teams  

• Ability to interface with multiple levels of an organization  

• Proactive (high sense of urgency) and committed to delivering results in a fast paced, demanding work environment  

• Able to travel 40%  

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field  

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

• Strategic thinking  

• Leadership  

• Business acumen  

• Passion  

• Problem solving  

• Proactive  

• Flexible  

• Team player  

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

Base starting salary at $110,000/yr. The Base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.