Marketing Specialist

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Marketing Specialist engages in the planning, implementation and creative development of marketing and community outreach activities necessary to support Mounds Pet Food Warehouse mission and business growth goals. The Marketing Specialist will support and often lead multiple internal and external team members through project completion. The candidate must be comfortable building strong relationships and establishing clear lines of communication with external partners and internal staff members. They will use problem solving capabilities to ensure sound program execution to meet and exceed company goals and objectives. They will develop, build and maintain key relationships with partner organizations including but not limited to the Dane County Humane Society, other rescues, shelter groups and various K-9 police units.

Primary Duties:

• Launch and manage paid ads across multiple platforms
• Create, manage and optimize digital ad campaigns, focused on but not limited to Google Ads, LinkedIn, and Facebook
• Optimize digital ad copy, creative and audience targeting to improve rank and increase conversions
• Manage monthly budgets and optimize to conversion focused KPIs (ROAS, CPA, Conversion Rate, CPC, CTR, etc.)
• Work directly with Purchasing Manager and others to create relevant content, build converting landing pages, and design engaging and creative content
• Build and maintain key relationships with partner organizations' marketing counterparts and their leadership
• Evaluate and provide recommendations for Mound’s involvement in sponsorship programs, channel marketing efforts, co-op programs and other community events
• Ensure excellent representation of Mounds brand before, during and after partner engagement initiatives
• Develop public relations efforts, promotional planning, marketing material, staffing and other duties necessary to ensure successful outcome of Mounds sponsored/hosted event
• Represent (staff) Mounds at sponsor and other partner events (occasional evenings and weekends required)
• Ensure consistent and quality acknowledgement and recognition of Mound’s involvement in initiatives
• Engage with partner programs including Dane County Humane Society, other rescue and shelter groups and various K-9 police units
• Ensure the successful outcome for Mounds major marketing initiatives that include: Shop Local Saturday (November), Humane Holidays (December), People for Pets (February), and Fur Fest (June)
• Coordinate channel marketing and co-op marketing opportunities through the development and distribution of marketing material (digital assets, in-store promotion material, etc.)
• Participate in media relations efforts including (but not limited to) media planning, organization and monitoring of media schedule(s), distribution of media files to media partners according to assigned deadlines

Other duties assigned may include:

• Graphic design support for Mounds and partners on marketing material and brand initiatives such as: website design, digital assets, in-store signage, marketing material and print advertising
• Deployment of content and assets across marketing channels: in-store print material and promotions, broadcast media, advertising, SEM, email marketing, digital advertising and our website
• Administrative support of marketing activities such as updating our marketing calendar, media calendar and tracking for marketing activity and engagements

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, advertising, or public relations, or related field plus minimum 6 years related experience working in a client-facing role within a B2B or B2C company or advertising agency working as the liaison between internal and external personnel
• Experience creating integrated marketing programs or campaigns across multiple platforms
• Detail oriented with great communication skills and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to understand and follow through on an approved marketing strategy and/or program plan
• Enthusiasm for building an innovative and creative approach to partner marketing that is unique to Mounds
• Natural event planning mentality that is demonstrated through project management skills, attention to detail and ability to visualize the big picture planning through event day execution
• Strong ability to conceptualize and translate ideas into visual format for internal and external audiences
• Knowledge of standard design formats, file types and image sizing Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) PC proficiency in MS Word, MS Project, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint
• Ability to travel to events and stand for duration of activity (approximately 1 - 7 hours)
• Knowledge of website platforms (such as WordPress) 
• Video, motion or animation is a plus
• Experience working in web-based content management systems and e-mail marketing with a willingness to learn new technologies quickly.
• Working knowledge of SEO and how it affects website writing; Google Analytics and Tag Manager; and Facebook/Meta Analytics.

Mounds is Employee Owned!

• Paid sick and vacation time 
• Family-friendly hours: Our stores are closed on these holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Unbelievable benefits: Health plan, dental, short-term, and long-term disability
• A generous employee discount
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)