Lead Shopper Marketing Manager

About Talking Rain Beverage Company

We’re Talking Rain Beverage Company, we create better-for-you beverages featuring great flavors and colors from natural sources. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should too. We create connections with every sip of our iconic Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice Caffeine, Sparkling Ice Energy, Popwell and MIXT.

When it comes to success, we know we’re only as strong as our team. That's why we're an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and practice inclusivity, hiring great people who enhance our company.

Our Rain Makers are our most important asset. That’s why we invest in them with benefits and development opportunities that reflect just how much we value them.

What You'll Do

Every single day, our Marketing team searches for surprising and refreshing ways to create connections with our customers and consumers.

In this role, you will be responsible for driving the growth of our company’s brands through the development of key market and national retail programs for our Food channel. In partnership with sales, this position will work with marketing leadership to understand the national shopper marketing strategy, key shopper data, affinities, and insights to develop and implement customized support plans meeting the needs of retailers and markets. You will develop the annual channel strategy, creating and executing relevant plans that drive sales, buy rate and HH penetration while increasing trial and awareness. Under the direction of the Director, you will also be responsible for developing budgets at the channel and retailer level, as well as plans in coordination with the marketing, trade marketing, events and sales teams.

• Reports to: Director, Shopper Marketing
• Direct Reports: Shopper Marketing Manager(s)
• Location: Remote work from home
• Annual Bonus Potential: 13% - Eligibility is based on the company hitting annual financial targets.
• Base Salary: $122,000 - $152,000

Note: This range is a national average, but compensation will be reviewed based on geographical location depending on where applicant will be working. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shopper marketing strategy and program development for TRBC's brand portfolio across the Food Channel, with direct ownership of the Albertsons and Kroger businesses end-to-end.
• Partner with Marketing & Insights to align shopper programming with overarching brand and campaign strategies across the portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including retail partners and sales teams, through consistent and proactive communication.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Insights, Marketing, and eCommerce to develop and execute Food Channel strategy, customizing plans by market and retailer as needed.
• Co-develop integrated trade and marketing calendars with Sales for key channels and retailers, driving both volume and brand equity across established brands and innovation launches.
• Utilize syndicated data tools to measure program performance and share results internally / externally.
• Apply a data-driven approach to decision-making, using KPI analysis, trend identification, and shopper insights to optimize programming and investment.
• Monitor evolving market, consumer, and shopper trends through agency partners, synthesizing and socializing relevant findings with Sales and cross-functional teams.
• Own annual budget development for key channels, allocating funds strategically and maintaining spend at or below budget throughout the year.
• Direct agency partners and internal creative services teams in developing marketing materials that effectively support channel programming.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of two direct reports managing east and west regional food accounts.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.
• Minimum 6+ years of recent experience in Shopper Marketing, Retail Marketing or Brand, ideally in CPG, specifically within beverage and with distributors.
• Direct experience managing Albertsons and/or Kroger preferred.
• Proven ability to lead annual planning, manage budgets, and drive cross-functional projects from strategy through execution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and syndicated data platforms (IRI, Nielsen, Stratum, Symphony AI).
• Experience with syndicated data platforms (IRI, Nielsen, Stratum, Symphony AI).
• Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and in-person.
• Self-starter who takes ownership of new challenges without waiting for a playbook and navigates ambiguity with confidence and sound judgment.
• Natural curiosity, with a habit of asking the right questions and a genuine desire to continuously learn.
• Relationship builder who earns trust across functions, levels, and backgrounds.
• Flexible problem-solver who thrives in dynamic environments, adapts quickly and finds workable solutions under pressure.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, with occasional evenings and weekends required under special circumstances.

Company Values: Rain Makers

Rain Makers are people who are accountable, curious, and inclusive.

• We hold ourselves accountable and recognize room for growth while openly accepting feedback. We embrace change to deliver progressive results.
• Rain Makers don’t wait for answers – we go find them. Curiosity is part of what makes us so successful. Sometimes we push back, productively challenging the status quo.
• We promote inclusivity. Valuing communication and respect, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. We are an approachable bunch, building and fostering relationships with people of all backgrounds.

What We Offer

Nothing makes a great job even better than throwing in a few perks! All regular, full-time Rain Makers are equipped with everything they need to maintain their health and well-being. That means things like...

• Three Weeks of Vacation per calendar year. And that’s just to start! Spend some time with us, and you’ll accrue an additional week every few years, depending on your exempt status!
• FMLA qualifying Rain Makers receive six weeks of paid parental leave. Parents get to spend time at home bonding with their new addition (whether it arrives by birth, fostering, or adoption). For birth mothers, additional time is provided for medical leave. Depending on the state in which you reside, additional time may also be available for parents who do not require medical leave.
• Flexibility Stipend. For eligible Rain Makers, spend this extra monthly stipend as you wish, but know it’s intended to contribute to things like your phone, internet or other business uses while working remotely or needs outside of normal working hours.
• Relocation: Relocation Available (when available)
• Onsite and Hybrid Rain Makers: Get paid to carpool! Drive to work with another Rain Maker every week at least 2X a week and receive mileage reimbursement.
• 401k with Immediate Vesting. With matched contributions and investment customization, we'll help build a plan to reach your goals.
• Fitness Reimbursements. We're all about going the extra mile, so we provide reimbursements for community events and competitions like fun runs, triathlons, and cycling tours. Rain Makers may also enjoy access to our on-site gym in Preston complete with a personal trainer 2 days per week.
• Medical/Dental/Vision. Not only do we offer it, but our plans are excellent and flexible to your needs. And one is even free for our Rain Makers!
• Vehicle Program –Field Sales Specialist – Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate
• Field Sales Managers and Market Managers – Company car or vehicle stipend included!
• Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors – We use the leader in vehicle reimbursement solutions, Motus. This program provides a monthly fixed and variable rate that adheres to IRS guidelines for the business use of personal vehicles.

Please note, eligibility for our full benefits package is based on an average of 30+ hours per week in regular (not temporary) positions.

Want to get to know us better? Click to learn about us and our careers. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Instagram, and Facebook.

Key skills/competency

• Shopper Marketing Strategy
• Retail Program Development
• CPG Marketing
• Brand Growth
• Budget Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Syndicated Data Analysis (IRI, Nielsen)
• Relationship Building
• Team Leadership
• Strategic Planning