SUMMARY: The Market Specialist is responsible for the following within an assigned market/markets: leading the way Summit Racing Equipment markets to current and potential customers, along with all aspects of onboarding new brands to ensure growth in category sales and profitability. The Specialist owns all aspects of merchandising catalogs and any other print or advertising that pertains to their audience. Additionally, the Specialist will work closely with Internet Marketing to help build content for our social outlets along with product pics for our email campaigns. Heavy emphasis on brand, category, part type, competitive pricing, and multi-channel analysis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
Assigned Market Responsibilities
- Responsible for increasing sales and gross profit of all products in assigned market(s).
- Recommend initial and ongoing product mixes for new market or category introductions.
- Perform product line reviews to identify additional opportunities.
- Recommend vendor consolidation or additions as appropriate to address problem areas.
- Provide merchandising input for the catalog, internet, and media advertising to ensure a complete and accurate brand/product representation through proper photography, accurate and appropriate copy, current application information, etc.
- Work with Advertising, Internet Marketing and Retail departments on special events and retail displays.
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Catalog, Advertising, Internet Marketing, Accounting, Retail and Motorsports departments to plan and implement programs as required.
- Recommend opening purchase order and initial stocking levels.
- Maintain knowledge of competitors, their sales channels, and products. Recognize problems and opportunities and take appropriate actions.
- Ensure product pricing remains competitive.
- Assist in new and existing market development activities and participates in both long-term and short-term planning.
- Identify missed opportunities and execute a plan to take corrective action.
- Understand the value of a business plan and contribute ideas and information pertaining to assigned markets.
- Research and analyze market conditions in local, regional, and national area to determine potential sales of products.
- Have basic knowledge of PPC and SEO.
Onboarding New Brands Responsibilities
- Understand the new brands onboarding process and be able to explain all terminology in the Supplier Qualification Packet & Standard Operating Procedures documents.
- Negotiate with potential vendors on all aspects of the items on our Vendor Profile.
Vendor Research:
- Gather data on vendor.
- Research brand strengths.
- Determine customer demand (est. sales potential).
- Determine which competitors are carrying the potential vendor.
- Compare to existing vendor offering.
Gather data on competitors:
- Analyze prices.
- Track sales.
- Review methods of marketing.
- Compare participation in all vendors’ marketing and programs.
- Prepare reports, graphs, and other illustrations to present findings.
- Maintain all new vendors through the first 12 months after initial launch.
- Prepare new vendors for transfer to a permanent merchandiser after the initial 12 months.
- Attend trade shows and events to further refine assigned market(s). (Minimum 1 per year)
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.
- Must be an automotive enthusiast with a strong passion for Asian/European vehicles.
- Additional consideration for candidates with additional automotive market segment experience outside of the Asian/European Import market as well as possessing strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills, capable of guiding discussions, encouraging participation, and ensuring productive outcomes within a cross functional team.
- Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint knowledge.
- Must understand the basics of negotiating, with demonstrated experience.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree or Minimum 1-2 years of experience in Merchandising, Marketing, or Product Development. Must be an automotive enthusiast with a passion for the specific market Summit Racing is recruiting.
This position is a hybrid/remote role.
The Team Member Experience:
We work together to take care of our customers, our communities, and each other. When you join the team, you’ll enjoy a positive, productive atmosphere where people truly believe in what they are doing. If you’re passionate about providing the best experience possible to our customers and to your fellow team members, you’re in the right place.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance interacting with our career site, please contact us by calling (330) 630-5570 option 2 for Human Resources.
Summit Racing Equipment and its entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.