Market Development Manager

The Market Development Manager (MDM) is accountable for the execution of the Industrial strategy within Vibram Corporation. The MDM will drive Industrial program growth through developing and maintaining strong internal and external relationships. This capability will drive increased sales volume by increasing brand awareness / consideration with footwear partners and identify opportunities in the market. In addition to driving Vibram brand awareness, the MDM is responsible for understanding the footwear development process for Vibram brand partners and helping to translate customer needs into new products. This includes managing key brand partner relationships, driving Vibram sole adoption and understanding market trends and consumer insights.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Manages the brand partner relationship, identifies new program opportunities.
• Is the liaison for the Operations team with the brand partners to oversee orders and overcome potential concerns.
• Work with VP of Sales to develop and implement strategic sales plans to accommodate corporate goals.
• Assists Finance and Upper management with developing sales forecasts and performance goals.
• Works with marketing teams, to develop and promote sales and advertising programs, collateral, and techniques.
• Reviews market analysis to determine customer needs, price competitiveness, and margin potential.
• Collaborates with Product Development team to identify product needs for the industrial market segment.
• Represents the company at various trade association and technical development meetings.
• Assists the technical teams within the global organization to prepare manuals and technical publications.
• Prepares periodic sales report detailing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion.
• Monitors and evaluates the activities, performance, and products of the competition.
• Research current market dynamics & future trends.
• As required, travels globally to foster interaction within both Vibram and customer organizations and to assist in the design, development and of manufacturing of current and future products.
• Has the ability to promote and demonstrate products to a wide range of audiences including end users, designers, developers, and production engineers as well as purchasing directors.
• Complies with organization’s policies and procedures and may be required to perform other duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Market Development Manager doesn’t have direct reports but will have indirect leadership and influence as he/she works with production, product development, marketing and customer service to complete projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Worked in an environment where you must influence the behavior of associates who do not report to you in order to achieve a common goal.

Customer-facing marketing or sales experience building relationships beyond the transactional customer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. 
• Excellent communication skills including speaking in front of large audiences; the ability to work at all levels of a customer organization (CEO to factory associate)
• Demonstrated negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated training skills.
• Understanding of footwear development and production processes
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. 
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory and factor analysis.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management – Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Management project team activities.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations, responses promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meet commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others; ideas and tries new things.
• Oral and Written Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responses well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings.
• Teamwork – balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others; views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; gives authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results.
• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People – Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates; activities; makes self-available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates skills and encourages growth; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); fosters quality focus in others; improves processes, products and services; continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Quality Management – looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decision; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

REASONING ABILITY                   

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS                                                

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of

·        Internet software.

·        Manufacturing software.

·        Microsoft Office

Vibram is a growth company looking for team members to grow with it. Vibram offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment and a collaborative atmosphere for professional development.

Vibram is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.