THE COMPANY

Website: www.nielsenmassey.com

Nielsen-Massey is a leader in the specialty foods world, specifically in the production and marketing of the world’s finest vanillas and flavors. The company operates a branded consumer goods business (CPG/B2C) as well as a business-to-business (B2B) ingredient and flavor business. The portfolio includes various forms of pure and natural vanilla ingredients, extracts, pastes, and powders plus other flavor extracts including: lemon, almond, chocolate, coffee, peppermint, and rosewater to wholesale, culinary, and industrial customers throughout the world. The global headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility are in Waukegan, Illinois, with an additional plant in the Netherlands. The brand is well established with culinary professionals and big branded players as the premiere vanilla brand in the marketplace while the next phase of growth will come from expanding the brand to a broader base of consumers via an aggressive retail and eCommerce strategy as well as diversifying and expanding the ingredient and flavor business.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas (NMV) was founded in 1907 and is still owned by three members of the Nielsen family, who work as senior executives at the company. The fiduciary Board is composed of a majority of independent directors as well as the three family shareholders. The four independent members all have CEO experience in a variety of industries, including CPG, eCommerce and Industrial/ Manufacturing.

The Company is committed to sustaining the plants, people and communities that supply their ingredients. Since 1907, NMV has demonstrated its commitment to civic and social responsibility. The company’s Community Relations initiatives encompass three main objectives: building relationships with the communities in which they live and work; showing their commitment through financial contributions to charities in support of education, youth, veterans and the environment, actively promoting volunteer service among their employees - and demonstrating as a team that they make a difference.

NMV supports approximately 18 organizations that represent their mission-driven values. They published their first annual “Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibilities Report” in 2018. Some past ESG programs include the funding of a new Malagasy school and the construction of a solar-powered water pump in the Madagascar Village that grows Nielsen-Massey’s fair-trade vanilla.

In 2009, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation was founded with a mission to assist disadvantaged children and adults with education and leadership development, especially in the field of culinary arts. The Foundation also considers requests for assistance in the development of sustainable environmental practices or for programs benefiting people in countries of need. The Foundation’s board of directors consists of Craig, Beth and Matt Nielsen—third-generation owners of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas—and their mother, Camilla.

Throughout its more than 110-year history as a family business, NMV is proudly and fully committed to the ethical manner in it conducts business, including how employees and customers are treated. As a company, NMV remains committed to honesty and integrity, as well as openness and respect for the rights and interests of its employees. Employees are “treated like family,” in particular, with generous health care benefits.

OPPORTUNITY

Position: Marketing Coordinator

Reports to: Senior Director of Marketing, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Location: Remote Capable/Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Position Summary:

The Marketing Coordinator is responsible for coordinating branded content, managing projects/events, and supporting the Sales department’s marketing needs. This organized individual must be able to effectively communicate direction, manage timelines, and understand how their work impacts the broader strategic initiatives. Prior experience in communications, advertising, sales operations, project management, branding, and/or social media will be necessary to thrive in this role.

This position is a newly created role reflecting our growth ambition. We are seeking a highly motivated and team-oriented Marketing professional who is comfortable leading projects and can roll up her/his sleeves on tactical execution to drive the business forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and facilitate the distribution of content and assets for the demand generating functions, including eCommerce
• Serve as the key point of contact that sets the direction with our creative agency on business driving initiatives consisting of:
  • Customer sell sheets
  • New customer setup/promo information
  • Tracking donations and sponsorships
  • Posting career opportunities internally and externally
  • Managing inbound requests from cross functional partners
• Serve as the point person for close-in product development
  • This includes: Routing Approvals, Cross-Functional Follow-Ups, Coordinate Phasing of Rollouts
  • Projects may include but are not limited to New Packaging, Combo Packs, and New Food Service and Manufacturing Product Lines
• Coordinate Marketing elements and execution of events, including: Trade Shows, Significant Company Events, Chef Events
• Review content with International Content Partners
• Route and respond to general demand generating inquiries
• Evaluate incoming marketing and sales opportunities, such as CRM lists and Food Service

Personal Characteristics:

• Organization
  • Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals
  • Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures.
  • Business Necessity – The employee must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advanced notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finance goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands.
  • Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.
• Results Orientation
  • High energy, results-driven, determined, and flexible, with a strong and disciplined work ethic.
  • Sets a quick pace, and constantly raises the bar and presses the organization toward higher levels of achievement.
  • Measures and tracks processes and branded content assets against top competitors and the market.
  • Promotes superior performance against stretch goals.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset.
• Intellectual
  • Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
  • Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
  • Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Change Management
  • Embraces a sense of urgency and enthusiasm about the future path and where we are going as a team.
  • Challenges the status quo and can quickly develop and execute improvement plans.
• Leadership Capability
  • It is important that this individual has the capacity to assume greater responsibilities over time.
  • She/he must have unquestioned integrity and strong values; non-political and non-bureaucratic.
• Communication Skills
  • High level of emotional intelligence (EQ).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively deliver and reinforce consistent messages
  • Leverages these communication capabilities to interact with, and persuade, peers throughout the organization.
  • Excellent listening skills.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

MUSTS:

• Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or Business Degree or Certification; or 3+ years related experience and/or training in Marketing, Project Management, Sales Operations or Office Management; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledgeable with digital marketing, content marketing and social media marketing
• Outstanding writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to meet essential deadlines
• Excellent multi-tasking and prioritization skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and superior organizational skills
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization
• Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management

WANTS:

• Graphics Design skills are a plus
• Experience in a family or privately held business
• Global experience