Basics

Job Title: Running Brand Specialist - New England

Reports To: Marketing Manager

Direct Reports: No

Location: Greater Boston (including Hartford)

About Mizuno

Mizuno Corporation was established in Osaka, Japan by Rihachi Mizuno in 1906. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mizuno USA is located in Peachtree Corners, GA and manufactures and distributes the highest quality sporting equipment, footwear, and apparel. World champions and dedicated enthusiasts alike regard Mizuno as the pinnacle in craftsmanship and performance for baseball, golf, pickleball, running, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and more.

For 120 years, we have followed the principle of "contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports." Every global Mizuno Team Member wholeheartedly believes in this purpose and lives it on a daily basis.

If you believe in the power of sports to generate happiness, and want to apply your talents to help athletes at every level of competition achieve their very best, you are the kind of person we want on our team!

Summary

As a part of the Mizuno Running team, you will be integral in shaping the future of athletic excellence, embodying our commitment to high-quality, innovative products that stand for both people and performance. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where our slogan "Reach Beyond" is not just a phrase but a way of life, inspiring our team members and athletes alike to push boundaries and redefine the limits of possibility. Join us in this exciting journey where your passion for running meets purpose and impact.

The primary responsibility of the Running Brand Specialist is to drive sell-through of Mizuno Running products by working alongside and educating store staff about Mizuno Running products and consumer experience silos, and by executing grass roots events that help expand Mizuno brand awareness and attract new and/or existing customers to selected partner stores. The Running Brand Specialist executes educational clinics for store staff, identifies and develops relationships with leading influential groups within selected communities and stores, and develops opportunities to showcase the Mizuno brand through ongoing grass roots promotions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Our mission is to earn the trust and respect of our retail partners through confidence, curiosity, and connection. As you Reach Beyond in journey with Mizuno, here’s how each aspect of your mission aligns with these pillars:

Confidence

1. Own Your Territory to Help Drive Sales and Grow Brand Awareness: Stand firm in your commitment to elevate Mizuno’s presence. Your authority within your territory becomes the catalyst for driving sales and expanding brand recognition.
2. Educate Retail Partners and Consumers on Mizuno Technology: Share your expertise with unwavering confidence. By training store associates and enlightening consumers about Mizuno's smoothest-in-class technologies, you become a trusted advisor.
3. Create and Execute New and Exciting Running Events: Your ability to orchestrate engaging events showcases Mizuno's commitment to speaking to runners through our experience silos, captivating audiences both in person and virtually, and fostering an environment ripe for brand growth.
4. Be ready and willing to "do what it takes" - working on the sales floor on a busy day, helping clean-up the stock room, etc…

Curiosity

1. Be an Expert in All Things Mizuno Running – Product & Marketing: Dive deep into the heart of Mizuno, mastering every facet of our product and marketing strategies. This thirst for knowledge not only fuels your personal growth but also empowers you to provide insightful guidance to others.
2. Utilization of Sales Data to Look for Areas of Brand Growth: Channel your analytical spirit to uncover new opportunities for expansion. By leveraging data, you can unlock hidden potential and drive transformation within your territory.
3. Track In-Store Visits, Floor Hours, Grassroots Activations, and All Communications: Maintain a meticulous record of your activities, ensuring a nuanced understanding of your territory. This detailed tracking paves the way for strategic advancements rooted in real-world insights.

Connection

1. Build Strong Relationships with Your Accounts: Foster meaningful connections by understanding the unique needs of your retail partners. Nurturing these relationships is fundamental in aligning Mizuno’s goals with those of your accounts.
2. Work Cross-Functionally with the Sales, Marketing, and Product Teams: Collaborate seamlessly across departments to ensure cohesive communication and planning, reinforcing the unity that is essential for achieving collective success.
3. Represent Mizuno at Marketing Events: Be the face of Mizuno at local, regional, and national events, where your genuine interactions strengthen the bond between our brand and the community.
4. Participate in National Marketing Endeavors: Engage in broader marketing activities, from dynamic product launches to content creation and staff training programs, further solidifying Mizuno’s presence on a national scale.
5. Manage all expenses related to promotions and in market travel and complete a quarterly recap of expense/travel with your manager.
6. Manage with Precision: Oversee a Mizuno Brand account dedicated to your territory, ensuring every interaction reflects the excellence and integrity of Mizuno. Your stewardship shapes the perception and loyalty for Mizuno within the digital landscape.
7. Highlight and Amplify: Craft engaging posts that spotlight your efforts to promote Mizuno’s presence in your region. Elevate the voices of key retailers, showcasing how Mizuno running products transform experiences for their consumers.
8. Content Maestro: Utilize Mizuno branded content and collaborate on content that embodies the MIZUNO RUNBIRD® spirit. Every piece of content you create should echo the brand’s standards, capturing the essence of innovation and performance that Mizuno stands for as well as maintaining a high level of consistency with national brand look and feel.
9. Community Connection: Forge meaningful connections with grassroots running organizations and store associates. Your interactions should not only raise brand awareness but also foster a deep, enduring connection with the Mizuno community.

Required Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge and passion for running, products, and industry trends
2. Genuine enthusiasm for the running community and culture
3. Strong presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal skills (in-person & virtual)
4. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and highly organized
5. Collaborative team player with the ability to adapt in fast-paced environments
6. Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
7. Valid driver’s license required.

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree preferred
2. 3+ years of experience in retail, sales, events, marketing, or customer service
3. Running retail experience preferred

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to travel up to 75% of the time, including operating a car
2. Ability to lift and move boxes, expo booth fixtures, and apparel and footwear racks and bags
3. Ability to evaluate marketing content for audio and visual quality, requiring strong hearing and visual acuity
4. Ability and willingness to work extended hours during event floor shifts
5. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer in an open office environment with artificial lighting and moderate noise levels
6. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times

Whenever possible, Mizuno USA, Inc. strives to promote from within if the skills and necessary qualifications meet the requirements for the position. Internal and external candidates will be considered for the position and the best candidate will be hired.

Mizuno USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, disability, veteran status or other protected classification.

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