Product Developer and Buyer: Mars Retail Group

GOURMET CHOCOLATE PRODUCT DEVELOPER AND BUYER

At the center of our chocolates are great people like you!

Mars Retail Group, a division of Mars, Inc. is seeking a Product Development and Buyer for our gourmet chocolate brands (Ethel M and ethel's gourmet chocolate). The position is located at our headquarters in Henderson , NV . The Product Developer and Buyer will lead the gourmet chocolate team in translating brand strategy, industry and fashion trends to create product design that is brand consistent, market and trend appropriate and innovative from sourcing to end product. Directs the product sourcing and product development process from conception through execution, including sourcing decisions, projections, vendor management, and on time delivery of product. Ensures cross-functional team communication and activities including partnering with ethel's chef and factory operations team. Manages margins through effective cost negotiations with vendors and markdown strategies in store.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with the Marketing, Creative, and Visual Manager to develop new products and packaging.
• Executes final design decisions of marketing team into packaging and product designs.
• Coordinates product development calendar across multiple categories and develops processes to manage efforts across functional lines.
• Leds strategic sourcing of products and finished goods
• Ensures appropriate gross margin through pricing strategy and category management on all SKU's
• Partner with marketing to drive products that support marketing calendar and strategy
• Partner chocolate Chef to develop innovative, successful, and profitable product portfolio.
• Understands brand building and how specific product styling translates into the image of the brand.
• Ensures that the design process delivers results that are consistent with brand strategy.
• Builds overall strategy in tandem with merchandising, planning, and marketing team.
• Leads vendor selection process and evaluates suppliers based on creative abilities, quality control and pricing to include co-manufactured food products.
• Provides creative direction to key suppliers.
• Partner with finance to ensure appropriate margin and mix levels.
• Develop products and innovative packaging for all product lines that support marketing and brand strategy.
• Completes SKU rationalization reviews and recommendations every six months.
• Works with store operations and marketing team on assortment plans that drive sales and margin by store.
• Manages markdown budgets for seasonal and transitioned product.
• Negotiates costs and obtains competitive bids.
• Weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting and analysis.
• Sets up and maintains new SKUS.
• Maintains internal forms for product development process.
• Forecasts sales for new products for each season within the assortment plan budget.
• Determines Assortment needs, voids, and opportunities. Directs resources to fulfill those needs.
• Ensures all products are delivered to store.
• Researches market trends, price comparisons, and competitive shopping to ensure we are in line with our competitors in regards to pricing and product.
• Approves samples for correct legal & trademark information.
• Determines margin goals by category and manages margins with input from S&F.
• Maintains vendor communication to ensure standards of style guide.
• Handles correspondence with vendors on samples and artwork.
• Ensures quality control with current and future products in tandem with QA team.
• Tracks and is responsible for all new artwork being approved through corporate trademark.
• Creates and maintains vendor files with all information pertaining to product development cycle.

Key Skills Required:

• Excellent Project Management Skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of customers and their relationship with brand.
• Ability to create optimal assortment
• Demonstrated product development skills with emphasis in food/food service and food related hardlines.
• Risk assessment and risk management related to Consumer Products business
• Ability to manage and work across functions (marketing, chef, operations, finance)
• Understanding of packaging development and specifications.

Minimum Qualifications:
Three+ years experience in the following disciplines: Marketing, trend translation (color, materials, and components), product development, merchandising, packaging development, financial planning/costing.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program in a related field, or equivalent work experience.
Successful completion of a drug and background screen

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent in retail or business majors

To apply for this great opportunity please visit www.ethelschocolate.com/careers

Company-paid relocation is not available for this position.

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars, Incorporated offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.

If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called "associates" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you.

We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars, Incorporated is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visit

www.mars.comto learn more about our company and for information about all of our current openings. Please, no agencies.