Company Overview

Looking for a career where you can make a difference? At Mary Kay we are committed to enriching the lives of women and their families around the world, we offer careers with unlimited opportunities to do something beautiful every day. More than 5,000 employees work in locations around the world. They provide the products, marketing and other support to millions of Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) who work as independent contractors, selling our products directly to consumers in nearly 40 markets on five continents.

 We are a company that believes in our people and cares for them with truly exceptional benefits. We offer:

·         A comprehensive health plan which includes medical, dental, and vision with low premiums

·         401(k) plan

·         A generous profit-sharing program

·         Free access to on-site fitness center and on-site clinic

 Team US

 “Team US” is what we fondly call employees whose work directly supports the Independent Beauty Consultants in our legacy Mary Kay Market.  The U.S. market is where Mary Kay Ash’s dream became a reality. As a member of Team US, you will find opportunities to directly support the sales force in Sales, Marketing, IT, Finance and HR.  Our teams create the magic for the beauty consultants – from spectacular events and world-class education and motivation to packing and distributing our wonderful Mary Kay® products – the possibilities for a meaningful career are endless.

 JOB PURPOSE  

Accountable for managing assigned US skin care product categories and launches from the start of the new product development process to launch. Responsible for the creation of product strategy and integrated marketing plans to deliver comprehensive, engaging, and synergistic product experiences for consumers and Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants, supporting the growth of the US market by increasing trial, revenue, and market share. Consults on the development of product positioning, develops pricing recommendations, and oversees the complete product life-cycle management of assigned product categories. Performs market research, product health reviews, and competitive analysis to identify areas of opportunity. Makes projections for future product launches and identifies product gaps. Prepares executive forecast approval documents. Is accountable for growing market share and making a significant contribution to the return on investment of designated product categories. Serves as a skin care expert resource to internal and external departments partnering with various US teams including communications, sales education, creative, social, web, digital and finance, as well as corporate teams. Under the guidance of Manager, leads product launch plans, develops marketing strategy, content, tools, and programs to elevate consumer awareness, perception, and purchase consideration and support sales force members in selling, booking parties and recruiting.  This role requires a unique blend of robust product knowledge, analytical thinking, creativity, content development, and technical proficiency, as well as solid communication and project management skills to contribute to best-in-class 360-degree marketing execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   

·         Manages all aspects of the product launch and marketing process from definition to delivery and on-going maintenance, so that product launches and updates occur as planned. Serves as the product expert, developing creative briefs for product launches and product promotions with key US and global team members to ensure a flawlessly executed integrated 360 product launch. Completes complexity review for each promotional launch with all appropriate teams, making any changes necessary to ensure a smooth launch to the Independent Sales Force.

·         Proactively assists Manager in product portfolio management and marketing execution. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

o   Recommending additions in support of year-over year sales growth (includes re-promotions of regular line products) and product promotions. Regularly identifying opportunities for price increases.

o   Consulting on Global Marketing Toolkit development ensuring alignment with US product positioning goals and cross-functional US partners.

o   Recommends estimated product sales and works with key groups including Finance and Global Inventory Control to project sales and capture expenses for all quarterly promotions.

o   Partners with Finance in preparing for senior level and executive forecast approval. Presents forecasts up to the vice president level.

o   Communicates with key internal groups such as communications, sales education, creative, social, web and digital as well as global marketing and global product management teams to ensure consistency of programs and 360 planning for product launches.

o   Serves as the key contact for systems implementation for respective product updates: new product launches; price changes; ad hoc promotions. Ensures that marykay.com and the website for Independent Beauty Consultants are accurate when product updates go live. Conducts research online and via sales force events to gain qualitative and quantitative information regarding promotions and opportunities for improvement. Creates recommendation summary and analyzes results.

o   Conducts annual review of product health in assigned categories: in-depth analytical assessment by product, category, and market share; phase-out proposals; accumulation of findings in global template; presentation to the Global Product Management team and US leadership.

·         Develops metrics and analyzes effectiveness of product launches, promotions, and programs. Analyzes sales, cost, activity, and independent sales force feedback regarding promotional periods, special promotions and regular line items and recommends changes or adjustments based on performance. Completes post-promotional analyses. Initiates, updates, and revises US and Global product calendars and Promotional Product Programs.

·         Inventory Management: Partners with Global Inventory Control (GIC), Product Promotion Team, and other US Marketing partners to manage inventory of new product launches; alerts teams on potential early run outs or excess inventory; develops contingency plans. Monitors regular line sales and makes recommendations to re-promote or phase out regular line products. Works with partners to initiate additional promotional efforts to avoid excess inventory. Prepares communications for early product runouts as needed. Proactively manages obsolescence. Works with global inventory control to determine which items should be placed on sale; determines pricing and duration. Obtains final approval from Manager and Director prior to execution. Interfaces with departments as necessary across the company to facilitate the sale. Works closely with departments including Global Inventory Control and IST to manage implementation of approved changes. Develops and implements phase-out plans to minimize obsolescence.

·         Partners with Manager to contribute to the development of strategies to ensure Mary Kay’s long-term competitiveness.

·         Reviews and edits all routings related to product categories for accuracy of product positioning, pricing, part numbers and fill weights.

·         Interacts frequently with the US Independent Sales Force by fielding phone calls/e-mails, general market research, working special events, and providing necessary support as respective product expert.

·         This job requires on-site work at a Mary Kay facility. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Education – Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or related field.

Experience – 5+ years experience with product portfolio management and cross functional marketing experience, or relevant experience in a general marketing role.  Skin care experience strongly preferred.

·         Experience developing and/or contributing to brand, product and consumer marketing strategies is required. Must have a strong understanding of marketing concepts and terminology and must stay abreast of all product marketing trends. Must be able to apply basic marketing concepts (e.g., brand positioning, brand equity/engagement, SWOT analysis, competitive assessment, marketing strategies, consumer segmentation) used in the development of marketing plans.

·         The ability to leverage market research results into actionable marketing recommendations and plans is required. Strong business skills and analytical skills are required to assist in analyzing and interpreting results of research, marketing promotions, educational programs, and brand targets. Ability to define opportunities and problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and make valid conclusions.

·         Must have the skills to develop effective forecasting assumptions, analyze product financial health and prepare plans to address any current financial areas of weakness in the product lineup. Must have ability to understand financial data and make recommendations to senior leadership. Must possess strong analytical abilities to analyze and interpret results of research, promotions and understand product category health.

·         Must be able to work in a team environment and possess the ability to lead large teams from multiple disciplines to orchestrate product launch, phase out and promotional support. Must effectively work closely with all areas of marketing including corporate and regional marketing teams.

·         Must have excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills to effectively communicate with top management, sales force, and internal departments. Must be able to present in front of large audiences and senior executives.

·         Must be creative, solution-focused, and willing to work with others to identify fresh ideas.

·         Must be self-sufficient, able to work with ambiguity and possess time and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with aggressive deadlines and shifting priorities.

·         Must be an analytical thinker with a broad perspective and, at the same time, demonstrate an acute attention to detail and the ability to execute flawlessly.

·         Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software, such as Excel, is necessary to prepare product programs and to analyze promotions. Working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint also required.

·         Out-of-town travel is required up to 15% of work time to conduct research, to interview independent sales force members and to attend special events.

·         Must be a Brand Ambassador for the Mary Kay Brand and ensure all tactics adhere to Branding guidelines.

·         Must have interest in cosmetics and beauty category. Prior skin care category management is a plus.

·         Spanish language competency a plus, but not required.

·         Out-of-town travel within the U.S. and Canada is required approximately 20% of work time to attend special events and seminars, to visit and interview sales force members, and to support educational and training activities.

·         Must be a Brand Ambassador for the Mary Kay Brand and ensure all tactics adhere to Branding guidelines.

·         Must have interest cosmetics and beauty category.