Fast Facts

Gopher Sport is seeking a Product Marketing Manager to drive the success of its Play with a Purpose brand, focused on innovative products for early childhood education. This role involves strategic marketing, sales growth initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities: Lead marketing strategy and execution, drive sales growth, coach the sales team, and analyze market trends to enhance customer satisfaction and profitability.

Skills: Strong marketing management, brand planning, sales enablement, and product planning skills; experience in B2B product marketing.

Qualifications: Demonstrated success in growing a brand in a B2B context, expertise in product planning and development, and an interest in promoting physical education.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Compensation: $110000 - $135000 / Annually

Are you a growth-oriented marketing expert ready to take ownership for the commercial success of an impactful education brand?

Part of the Gopher Sport Family of Brands, Play with a Purpose is an industry leader in providing learning through physical activity for young children. Their innovative, high-quality products are designed to encourage imaginative play and physical activity, while tending to children’s developmental needs.

Gopher is seeking a dynamic and experienced ROI-driven marketing expert to become their next Product Marketing Manager to lead all aspects of the Play with a Purpose brand.

Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing, this critical position will require a strong background in marketing management, brand planning, sales enablement, and product planning. The ideal candidate will have experience marketing physical and assortment based B2B products and a proven track record of growing revenues and customer count.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic marketing and brand plans to drive business growth.
• Lead sales growth initiatives to achieve and surpass revenue targets.
• Drive understanding of the customer and marketing budget for Play with a Purpose, ensuring financial health and profitability.
• Plan and execute marketing and product strategies tailored to the early childhood education market.
• Coach sales team to identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation of business strategies.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders in the PreK-12 education sector.
• Analyze market trends and customer needs to inform product planning and strategy.
• Drive initiatives to grow the customer base and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Monitor performance metrics and KPIs, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure objectives are met.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success growing a brand or product line in a B2B context.
• Experience owning, building and executing a marketing plan for physical products.
• Expertise in product planning and development.
• Ability to drive revenue growth and expand customer count.
• Interest in physical education and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Desire and ability to work in the company’s Minnesota offices (Owatonna and Minneapolis area).

Salary & Benefits

Annual salary for this role is $110,000 to $135,000 and is dependent upon experience. Eligibility for Management Incentive program with opportunity to earn annual performance bonus. Relocation available for qualified candidate.

Gopher Sport offers a competitive compensation and benefit package, including traditional and HSA health insurance options, vision, three weeks of paid time off accrued the first year, plus eight company paid holidays, profit sharing, 401K, a lifestyle spending account, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, an onsite fitness center, and so much more!

Company Background

For 75+ years, Gopher Sport has prided themselves on exceptional service, great product quality, and an unrelenting commitment to their customers. Their multiple brands offer a variety of product categories including physical education, athletics, fitness, early childhood, classroom furniture, and STEM.

Gopher Sport has a fast-paced environment, a friendly culture, and a meaningful mission. The company's long-term strength and success stem from a foundation of sound ethical principles, core values, and the dedication & excellence of their team members.

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