CDS Country Manager INT

Position Summary

The Country Manager (CM) is a key business leader for Club Demonstration Services (CDS) and responsible for operational direction and management of the in-house demonstration program for their designated country. This role has overall responsibility for the execution of strategic plans, business plans, budgeting, hiring, training, developing and managing all members of the CDS team. The CM oversees annual budgets and business operating plans and will be responsible for meeting financial targets.

In addition, the CM will leverage the resources of operations, sales, marketing, human resources, finance, information technology and Costco to achieve strategic and financial objectives. The Country Manager is the key contact between the Senior Leadership Team and the Client and will develop and enhance the customer relationship with senior level management at Costco and its vendors.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
(Describe the major duties of the job. List the Essential Duties and Responsibilities in order of most time spent to least. To the right under the % column, include the % for each item or group of items that are to total 100%)

Business/Functional Results

• Creates, administers and measures budget and budgeted goals for country of accountability; if deviation from financial targets, implement solutions to get back on track
• Structure CDS successfully in designated country
• Support CDS team in the development of sales plans
• Increase CDS business connectivity with new potential customers
• Effectively negotiate supplier commission rates to grow category or team revenue.
• Pitch and close new business opportunities for CDS in designated country
• Accountable for all store operations, sales and finances in designated country and other back-office support functions.
• Manage CDS brand marketing in the local country; deliver quality products at efficient price points

Managing Execution

• Identify the most critical initiatives and work with the team to lay out short- and long-term plans to achieve goals; allocate resources effectively
• Develop strong supplier relationships by obtaining alignment and delivering on mutually established goals.
• Monitor effectiveness of operating procedures, space utilization and quality of demonstrations by conducting routine store visits
• Evaluate various demo performance metrics including execution rates, sales performance, labor hours and operational costs, and makes adjustments as necessary
• Conduct routine meetings with key customer leadership, including Buying, Marketing and Operations
• Routinely attend all high-profile customer events / interact with key customer leadership and vendor representatives

Generating Talent

• Attract, develop and retain key talent to enable the execution of the collective goals of the customer and the enterprise
• Assure succession plans are in place for critical roles
• Strategically focus development of direct reports, including preparation for increased responsibility through mentoring, counseling, constructive feedback and interest in their long-term growth
• Provide operational direction, training, coaching and development to subordinate managers to ensure their success and success of the business.
• Motivate, direct and inspire team members to deliver on the agreed upon metrics of the customer and suppliers in conjunction with the needed resources/teams across the enterprise

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the expansion of new business in designated country
• Set and execute new strategic initiatives for the marketplace, account or the assigned categories
• Elevate the conversation with customer to the strategy level, within assigned categories
• Manage the CDS value equation with appropriate stakeholders and ensure it is understood and advanced
• Support, provide guidance with customer issues relating to cost/value
• Foster thought leadership within the CDS team

Managing Relationships

• Create, establish and maintain solid top to top relationship with the client throughout Buying, Marketing and store operations
• Develop and enhance the customer relationship with Costco and its vendors
• Exemplify high standards as the key contact between the Senior Leadership Team and the client
• Own director-level relationships with assigned and potential new customer and suppliers
• Direct, delegate and empower effectively

Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level:
(Required):
Bachelor's Degree
o
r equivalent experience

(Preferred):
MBA Degree

Field of Study/Area of Experience:Sales & Marketing

• 10 years of professional work experience required; 12 years preferred
• Experience in FMCG and/or retail and/or Operations is preferred.
• Trading and Store Services experience is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams; 6 to 8 years of experience managing, supervising and training staff. Managing international teams, a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to contribute to setting and achieving budgets
• Proven track record of developing talent, and ability/willingness to mentor associates
• Good grasp of Product Development, Marketing, Retail Services, Category Management, and Logistics
• Highly effective in building and maintaining customer and associate relationships
• Ability to work effectively with constantly changing priorities and deadlines. Strong strategic background and commercial mind to drive and grow the business and be able to function well under stress. Ability to prioritize in a challenging and demanding environment with strong organizational and time-management skills. Attention to detail and time follow up pro-actively.
• Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide variety of individuals
• Should have a good track record of building and leading a strong team and organization, possessing a pro-active management style and an entrepreneurial mind to look for new growth opportunities.
• Solid understanding of accounting practices, budget planning and analyzing business performance. A candidate who has responsibility for local P/L is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of Word, Excel and a web based system.
• Must be able to travel frequently.

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information Regarding ASM Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. ASM reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. ASM shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

• Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

• May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

• Travel and Driving are not essential duties or functions of this job but some is required