Retail Marketing Manager

Position Summary:  

Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE), the parent company for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, MLS’ Charlotte Football Club, and Bank of America Stadium is actively seeking a creative and passionate Retail Marketing Manager to help elevate brand awareness, fan affinity, engagement, and revenue through retail and merchandising platforms, oversee other event retail, and provide overall support of TSE Marketing.

This role will be the primary liaison and collaborator with a third-party operator to ensure the efficient operation of all aspects of the retail operation, including product assortment and buys, on-site setup, e-commerce platform operations, and overall omnichannel experience. This role will also work directly with the NFL and MLS consumer products teams. Key aspects of success for this role include creating opportunities to bring key brand storytelling moments to life through the retail experience, managing the internal/promotional buying process, and maintaining relationships with promotional vendors.

The Retail & Merchandise team will support TSE’s Procurement Department in standardizing the merchandising process to fulfill internal orders. This includes managing vendor relationships, deadlines and processes while fulfilling individual department merchandise needs throughout the calendar year.

This role is also responsible for Bank of America Stadium’s overall Marketing Strategy. This individual will be the contact for concert and event promoters and responsible for marketing support, announcement planning and overall cross-collaboration between all properties. 

Primary Responsibilities:     

• Managing overall operational relationship with the third-party retail operator relationship to ensure stadium store operation, e-commerce, and buying run smoothly for the Carolina Panthers
• Managing a small team, including Merchandise and Stadium Marketing Intern(s) while functioning as a branch of both Carolina Panthers Marketing, Stadium Operations and Procurement teams
• Oversee the creation and execution of Carolina Panthers retail promotional calendars in collaboration with both TSE marketing teams
• Create retail marketing plans and manage the retail marketing process from start to finish with the goal of creating demand, conversation, and increasing revenue
• Work with the NFL’s consumer products division and official licensees on product assortment details and approvals
• Work with the NFL Quality Control teams to ensure all products are on brand and approved
• In collaboration with the Procurement Team serve as main point of contact internally that manages the coordination and sourcing of promotional products/giveaways, staff apparel, etc.  
• Develop local artist collaboration programs and boutique product marketing portfolio for the Carolina Panthers
• Ideate and execute retail marketing campaigns to drive fan engagement and conversion specific to the Carolina Panthers assortment
• Maintain brand consistency and support brand strategy throughout all retail activities
• Constantly be on the lookout for ways to utilize retail to expand the Carolina Panthers brand in the region, whether within the current footprint or third-party retail, pop-up shops, etc., throughout the Carolinas
• Manage the relationship with Bank of America Stadium Team Store to ensure product display and sales expectations are met
• Assist with third-party event retail oversight
• Complete yearly recaps and evaluation on retail strategy and financial impact
• Provide additional support for TSE Marketing as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in retail marketing
• Bachelor’s Degree in Retail, Marketing or related field
• Working knowledge of the consumer retail landscape
• Knowledge and understanding of emerging trends in the consumer products space
• Must be able to work flexible, non-traditional hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Preferred Qualifications:      

• Retail buying experience preferred
• Prior sports and/or entertainment industry experience preferred

Skills for Success:         

• Ability to work independently within a matrixed environment
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve the desired outcome
• A desire to be challenged and to craft creative solutions to emerging needs
• Strong work ethic with an eye for detail
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Must be agile and able to respond effectively to the rapidly changing needs of a fast-paced / high-growth organization
• Ability to work within a collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment

Work Environment:

This job operates mainly in a professional in-office environment. Occasionally responsibilities are outside in a stadium facility or at events which may include inclement weather conditions. This role includes physical necessities like lifting product boxes, organizing inventory and potential extended moments of standing/walking.

Tepper Sports & Entertainment is an equal opportunity at-will employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.

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