Marketing and Merchandising Associate (Bilinguals a PLUS)

Title: Marketing and Merchandising Associate
Location: Vernon, CA
Supervisor: Marketing and Merchandising Manager

Located in sunny Southern California, PAFCO is a global, innovative food manufacturing company with 40 years of success. High quality products and integrity contribute to its steady growth, allowing PAFCO to consistently outperform competitors. PAFCO is dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of its associates. Learn more about the company at www.pafco.net.

We are looking to hire Marketing and Merchandising Associates who are bilingual in the following languages:

• Mandarin (additional fluency in Cantonese a plus)

• Vietnamese (additional fluency in Cantonese a plus)

• Korean

• Japanese

• Filipino

POSITION PURPOSE:

Marketing and Merchandising Associates serve as the primary contact person between PAFCO and the retailers that we serve in the area. They visit assigned retailers and are responsible for the distribution and merchandising food products. Marketing and Merchandising Associates will assist the Marketing and Merchandising Manager in executing goals within the three main areas of (1) Marketing, (2) Merchandising, and (3) Demo Program.

Marketing

1. Marketing Program

· Create marketing materials for demo team such as: banner, table cloth cover, item price stand and other marketing materials such as recipes for demo items, frozen case, tray pack, open case and full service;

· Coordinate special marketing events with account buyer/key contact;

· Follow up on marketing designs with account buyer/key contact to get approved;

· Visit stores to make sure approved marketing materials are in the right place;

· Follow up with designing team to render marketing materials;

· Call on suppliers to get quotes for marketing materials.

2. Research and Development

· Update or redesign existing packaging to meet the new market trend and compete with competitors’ products;

· Run market research and come up with new value added items (target group of customers include Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean and Hispanic markets).

Merchandising

1. Planning

· Gather accurate information to run item analysis report from account’s orders (by stores, by totals);

· Keep track of weekly lost sale amount for both Fresh and Frozen orders;

· Attend Frozen Meetings on Wednesdays to get updates in frozen items (promotion items, surplus items, slow moving items);

· Attend Sales Meetings on Fridays to get updates on new items, promotion items, updated fresh item inventory;

· Coordinate with frozen purchasing team and our account manager to allocate frozen items to the account.

2. Account Visit:

· Execute store schematic/planogram;

· Check competitors’ products and account’s private label products;

· GET APPROVAL from account before taking notes or pictures in store;

· Report information back to PAFCO key account management and purchasing teams;

· Build relationship with store managers and seafood/fish managers;

· Coordinate weekly demo planning with account buyer/key contact;

· Report account’s product movement and weekly ads with account buyer/key contact;

· Help introduce new products, R&D value added products to the account;

· Bring samples to account buyer/key contact.

Demo Program

1. Perform in-store food demo program: bring demo materials, cookware, ingredients; demonstrate the proper way to cook featured PAFCO items and distribute the cooked items to account patrons;

2. Keep an accurate log of sample quantity provided by store, both consumed and remaining;

3. Keep track of quantity sold during the demo period;

4. Create demo recap report and credit memo to customer if using store’s inventory to do demo;

5. Keep track of mileage and expense.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid driver license, a reliable vehicle, and a clean driving record;

• Must possess proficient verbal and written communication skills;

• Must possess strong presentation and negotiation skills;

• Must be organized and detail oriented;

• Providing customer-focused service and team-oriented;

• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs of demo equipment.

BILINGUAL SKILLS:

We are looking to hire Merchandisers who are bilingual in the following languages:

• Mandarin (additional fluency in Cantonese a plus)

• Vietnamese (additional fluency in Cantonese a plus)

• Korean

• Filipino

LOCAL candidates only: LOS ANGELES / ORANGE COUNTY AREAS.

PAFCO is an Equal Opportunity/ Drug Free Employer.

In compliance with FEDERAL LAW, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire.