Director, Marketing Planning And Strategy

Position Summary…

What you’ll do…

Director of Consumables, Retail Marketing Strategy and Planning

This open role leads at the intersection of our brand, our business and our customer for the Walmart US Consumables business. The Consumables business includes Pets, Beauty, Personal Care, Baby, Household Essentials and OTC Health & Wellness. The leader will be accountable for leading marketing strategy, marketing planning and the marketing team for the business unit. This role impacts business strategies for Consumables that materially changes the customer experience and how they feel about Walmart. The leader will be an expert in cultural & competitive category insights and will leverage that to drive authentic, innovative ideas that will benefit our customer. This is a performance and results driven role that is a key business and growth partner. This leader will set high expectations, scrutinize our results and drive towards achievement of our marketing and business KPIs. The leader will develop strong relationships with our Consumables merchant leaders, site partners, cross functional marketing and channel partners and others. The Director will be a key member of the Food, Consumables and Services marketing leadership team and will also oversee a team of talented marketers, fostering a positive and high performing culture.

About Walmart Marketing 

Named Ad Age’s Marketer of the Year in 2022, you’ll join an internationally recognized team of thinkers, creators, and problem solvers passionate about helping people save money and live better. 

Walmart Marketing is a dynamic, multidimensional organization dedicated to redefining how the world shops through impactful creative and fast-paced innovation – all grounded in customer insights and brand strategy. We live out our company values each day while striving to exceed customer expectations and drive growth for the company. 

We orchestrate marketing campaigns and experiences that reach millions of daily shoppers. Our work spans the digital and physical spaces and combines the work of numerous internal teams and external advertising and media agencies. Our teams work together to show our customers how they can save money and live better. If you are motivated by complex challenges and want to build the future of commerce and consumer services, a Marketing role at Walmart could be what you’ve been looking for. 

For this role, you must live within driving distance to Bentonville, AR. We’re moving toward 3 days in the office per week, with flexibility, however there may be needs for additional time in office depending on meetings and priorities.

You will make an impact by: 

• Marketing Strategy: Actively participates in and represents marketing plans in business and cross-functional venues. Leverages customer insights and analytics to develop new marketing strategies aligned that removes barriers for customers and influences behavior. Allocates resources to new marketing strategies and collaborates with multiple stakeholders (e.g., legal, merchants, finance/planning, tech groups) to garner support for the strategies. Creates brand development strategy, concepts and corresponding output. Reviews customer and competitor insight data and makes recommendations on new/additional target audience segments (e.g., young mothers vs. customers in close proximity to the stores) and marketing channel priorities (e.g., Pinterest vs. Facebook, Pick Up and Delivery vs 3P). Develops criteria and approves modifications for targeted items and brands based on customer insights, competitor and other new information. Continuously adjusts strategy and plans based on campaign ROI, real-time trends and other insights. Reviews performance trends and socializes recommendations regarding Walmart’s brand and category position and ongoing maintenance plan to elevate Walmart’s brand position.
• Strategic Brief Development: Develops briefs for a large, complex initiative/campaign (e.g., holiday or weekly trip). Drafts direction and key messages to promote the desired behaviors (e.g. driving customers to additional channels or products). Reviews target audience, objectives, budget and timeline for all initiatives within for a large, complex campaign (e.g., holiday). Reviews and edits creative considerations (media, materials, tone).
• Marketing Initiative Implementation and Management: Manages all aspects of a large, complex imitative or campaign. Identifies targeted customer segments and recommends steps to enhance sales and net profits for those segments. Develops plan for all communications (e.g., email, mobile,mail and social media) to ensure a consistent customer experience and brand alignment. Provides guidance and input into internal/external agency marketing plans, ensuring maintenance of brand positioning and that messaging is in alignment with the brand. Leads the development of enduring brand messages for a complex campaign or product, resulting in increased sales, brand loyalty and reputable customer experience.
• Annual Operating Plan: Drafts annual operating plan (AOP) based on review of data sets and associated insights, researching trends, and identifying competitor strategic dynamics. Ensures AOP execution. Understands operational success and establishes operating requirements for implementation teams.
• Budget Management: Prioritizes monitors and enforces complex campaign budgets and resolves concerns to ensure fiscal discipline aligned to overall marketing strategy. Approves budget tradeoffs and reallocation based on knowledge of other marketing/ branding priorities/initiatives. Researches and suggests performance-based marketing opportunities and associated plans (e.g., app install programming).
• Collaboration: Collaborates with cross-functional teams (e.g., Paid Media, Performance Marketing, Creative, Brand, Customer Insights and Analytics, Product Marketing, WMC, Walmart+ Marketing, Operations, Merchandising, Site Merchandising, etc) to execute on complex campaigns, marketing activations and ensures consistent brand messages across all channels. Works with senior leadership to prioritize items, address barriers, determine plan and make cross-campaign decisions. Leads collection of and shares complex information (e.g., gathering and annotating product with the right info and intent) with key stakeholders and influencers. Also collaborates with external partners including Marketing Agencies, Celebrity Brand Partners, Large and Small Supplier Partners. Leads and influences aligned and collaborative joint strategies and execution against marketing goals and KPIs. 
• People Development: Builds and leads a team to execute on business area or category objectives. Ensures associates are receiving learning and development opportunities (e.g. training, mentoring) for the good of the associate and Walmart. Coaches team members and provides feedback to enhance skills, knowledge, and work performance. Conducts performance and career development conversations. Mentors less experienced associates and managers. 
• Provides overall direction by analyzing business objectives and customer needs; developing, communicating, building support for, and implementing business strategies, plans, and practices; analyzing costs and forecasts and incorporating them into business plans; determining and supporting resource requirements; evaluating operational processes; measuring outcomes to ensure desired results; identifying and capitalizing on improvement opportunities; promoting a customer environment; and demonstrating adaptability and sponsoring continuous learning.
• Develops and implements strategies to attract and maintain a highly skilled and engaged workforce by diagnosing capability gaps; recruiting, selecting, and developing talent; supporting mentorship, workforce development, and succession planning; and leveraging the capabilities of new and existing talent.
• Cultivates an environment where associates respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all programs and practices; developing consequences for violations or non-compliance; and supporting the Open Door Policy. 

Minimum qualifications: 

• 8-12+ years of extensive marketing leadership and retail experience: Demonstrates a comprehensive and successful history of driving marketing strategies, campaigns, and initiatives within the retail industry, resulting in increased brand awareness and revenue growth.
• Expertise in retail category marketing, particularly in food/grocery, beauty, and/or essentials: Showcases a deep understanding of diverse retail categories and the ability to develop and implement tailored marketing strategies that effectively target the unique needs and preferences of each segment.
• Highly collaborative with internal and external stakeholders: Exhibits exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, fostering strong relationships with various stakeholders, including cross-functional teams, vendors, and partners, to ensure alignment and successful execution of marketing initiatives.
• Effectively navigates within a highly matrixed organization: Demonstrates a strong ability to work efficiently and adapt to complex organizational structures, seamlessly collaborating with multiple departments and stakeholders to achieve desired results.
• Highly influential and persuasive: Possesses the ability to inspire and motivate others, driving consensus and influencing decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Strong critical thinking and business acumen: Exhibits a keen sense of judgment and a strategic mindset, enabling the development and execution of marketing initiatives that align with the organization’s overall business objectives.
• Balanced affinity for both creative and analytical approaches: Showcases a versatile skill set that combines imaginative and innovative thinking with data-driven insights, ensuring the effective development and implementation of marketing strategies.
• High-performance driver: Demonstrates a track record of consistently achieving and exceeding goals, setting ambitious targets, and delivering exceptional results in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
• Customer-centric orientation: Maintains a strong focus on understanding and addressing the needs, preferences, and expectations of customers, ensuring the development of marketing initiatives that resonate with the target audience and foster long-term brand loyalty.
• MBA with a concentration in marketing a plus: Possesses an advanced degree in business administration, specializing in marketing, which equips them with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to excel in a dynamic marketing landscape.

How you’ll thrive at Walmart: 

• Performance-based incentive awards 
• 401k with company match 
• Discounted employee stock purchase plan 
• Paid parental leave, 
• New surrogacy & adoption benefits 
• Unlimited Flex Time Off 
• Working alongside a diverse group of collaborative and innovative team members 
• Opportunity for growth and development across several areas of the Fortune 1 organization 
• And much more 

Equal Opportunity Employer  

Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas and opinions – while being inclusive of all people. 

Who We Are 

Join Walmart and your work could help over 275 million global customers live better every week. Yes, we are the Fortune #1 company. But you’ll quickly find we’re a company who wants you to feel comfortable bringing your whole self to work. A career at Walmart is where the world’s most complex challenges meet a kinder way of life. Our mission spreads far beyond the walls of our stores. Join us and you’ll discover why we are a world leader in diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and community involvement. From day one, you’ll be empowered and equipped to do the best work of your life. careers.walmart.com 

Minimum Qualifications…

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field and 4 years’ experience in marketing or related field OR 7 years’experience in marketing or related field.

1 year’s supervisory experience or experience leading cross-functional projects.

Preferred Qualifications…

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Leading cross-functional projects, Marketing, Supervisory

Masters: Business Administration

Primary Location…

702 SW 8TH ST, BENTONVILLE, AR 72716, United States of America

About Walmart

At Walmart, we help people save money so they can live better. This mission serves as the foundation for every decision we make, from responsible sourcing to sustainability—and everything in between. As a Walmart associate, you will play an integral role in shaping the future of retail, tech, merchandising, finance and hundreds of other industries—all while affecting the lives of millions of customers all over the world. Here, your work makes an impact every day. What are you waiting for?

Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer- By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers, and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, abilities, ideas and opinions- while being inclusive of all people.

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