Gopher Sport hiring SPARK Brand Manager in Owatonna, MN | LinkedIn (2024)

DescriptionGopher Sport is seeking an exceptional candidate to lead our SPARK curriculum and professional development business. This key position will be part of our management team and is responsible for achieving the financial growth targets of the SPARK brand.

Who we are:Gopher Sport is an industry-leading supplier of high-quality, innovative products for schools and institutions across the country. For 75+ years we’ve prided ourselves on exceptional service, great product quality and an unrelenting commitment to our customers. Our multiple brands offer a variety of product categories including physical education, athletics, fitness, early childhood, classroom furniture, and STEM. Our products are designed to increase physical activity and create positive, healthy learning environments.

The goals and outcomes of the position:This position will be responsible for achieving annual SPARK sales and profit goals through the development and execution of brilliant marketing, selling, and content delivery plans.

The SPARK Brand Manger will be tasked with accomplishing the following outcomes:

• Achieving SPARK annual revenue targets
• Achieving SPARK annual profitability targets
• Achieving SPARK customer count growth targets
• Increasing the productivity of SPARK brand marketing spend
• Making improvements to the content and delivery of all curriculum products and professional development services

What you will be doing:To achieve the goals and outcomes of this position, you will be required to do the following:

• Understand corporate objectives and how SPARK products and services can contribute to the achievement of those goals.
• Create and communicate SPARK Brand Plans that support corporate objectives and annual brand goals. Brand plans will outline objectives and priorities for the upcoming 6-12 month period.
• Understand the customer and the market. Translate your understanding and knowledge into winning brand strategies.
• Execute SPARK brand plans. Ensure the execution of activities that support the SPARK brand plan and contribute to the achievement of annual goals. Work across departments to ensure successful execution. Understand the measurable results activities produce and report on the outcomes.
• Manage any and all aspects of the SPARK business to ensure job specific outcomes of this role are achieved. This includes, but is not limited to, marketing, strategic partnerships, content, professional development, and selling efforts.
• Act as the sole the sole guardian of the brand’s financial performance. Take ownership of all aspects of the brand P&L. Develop and execute plans to achieve targeted profitability.
• Manage the SPARK Marketing budget, ensuring spend is within approved limits.

What You'll Need to Be Successful:

• The desire and passion to continuously improve business results. Relentless pursuit to achieve goals.
• Imagination, curiosity, and the ability to translate business needs into strategies that create results.
• Ability to create and execute a multi-faceted plan that achieves brand objectives.
• A demonstrated knowledge of curriculum products and the ability to grow adoption rates. Physical Education experience preferred.
• A proven track record of leveraging technology solutions in curriculum to improve user experience.
• Ability to efficiently and successfully complete projects independently, by leading and guiding the activities of SPARK team members, and by aligning key stakeholders across the company.
• Proactive, clear, and concise communication.
• Enthusiasm, energy, and a passion for what we do and the markets we serve.

Demonstrate corporate core values to support our culture:

• We create delighted fans
• We are dependable and trustworthy
• We are passionate about quality and excellence
• We move fast to innovate and improve

Requirements

• Passion for the importance of physical activity and a desire to positively impact student and teacher outcomes.
• Curiosity, imagination, and initiative.
• MBA or Bachelor’s degree from accredited university/college with meaningful, relevant work experience.
• 5+ years demonstrated success in a leadership role with P&L responsibility.
• A track record of consistently achieving results. Experience leading a curriculum brand or related products preferred. Physical Education experience a plus.

About Gopher SportAt Gopher Sport, we’ve been developing innovative solutions to help people of all ages become more active and healthier for over 75 years. Our portfolio spans five brands and a variety of industries, including physical education, athletics, fitness, early childhood, active classroom furniture, and supplies for STEM classrooms. When you join Gopher Sport, you become part of the nation’s strongest advocate for driving students everywhere to lead active lifestyles in and out of the classroom.

Our Hybrid work environment:We value in-person connection and collaboration at Gopher Sport. We believe the energy we generate is stronger when we’re together. As a Gopher Sport team member, you’ll enjoy a hybrid work environment to provide better life-work balance. You’ll be able to work remotely every Monday and earn 3 weeks of remote work flexible hours, to be used at your discretion, like PTO.

Why join our Team?Our Team Members enjoy a competitive compensation and benefit package, 3 weeks of Paid Time Off accrued the first year, plus 8 company paid holidays; profit sharing bonuses, 401K, ESOP, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, wellness programs, stand-up work stations, an onsite fitness center and so much more!

To be Considered for this Role:

• Compose a brief cover letter that demonstrates how clearly and persuasively you communicate and that explains:
• how your professional background satisfies the requirements,
• your track record of success, and
• why you think you’d be the best candidate for this position.
• Submit this cover letter and your resume by clicking on the “Apply on Company Site” button

Gopher Sport is an EEO/AA Employer