Role Summary
We are seeking a Director of Shopper Marketing to serve as the strategic architect and single-threaded owner of retail marketing efforts across key accounts.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for owning account-level strategy, calendars, budgets, and overall chain performance, while acting as the central point of alignment between Sales, Marketing, and our retail partners.
They will also play a critical role in building a Shopper Marketing Center of Excellence, structured to support different retail formats (Small Format, Large Format, Club), mirroring the evolution of our sales organization.
What You’ll Do
Account Ownership & Strategy
- Serve as the primary owner of shopper marketing across key retail accounts
- Define macro strategy for how marketing drives performance within each chain
- Align shopper marketing efforts with broader commercial priorities (distribution, velocity, promotions)
Budget Stewardship & Investment Strategy
- Own and manage shopper marketing and trade-related budgets by account and channel
- Determine how and where to invest to maximize return across:
- Price / promotion / discounting
- Retail media and digital programs (in partnership with Growth)
- Maintain full accountability for ROI and overall performance
Account Planning & Calendar Leadership
- Build and manage annual and quarterly account-specific marketing calendars
- Ensure alignment with:
- Retailer priorities and programming windows
- Brand initiatives and innovation launches
- Sales objectives
Cross-Functional Leadership & Resource Allocation
- Act as the quarterback across functions, ensuring the right teams are engaged:
- Growth Team- retail media, search, eCommerce, marketplace activation (execution arm)
- Creative / Brand- account-specific creative and messaging
- Category Management- insights, data storytelling, sell-in support
- Sales Teams- alignment to account priorities
- Mobilize resources effectively- own the “what” and “why,” while teams execute the “how.”
Sales Enablement
- Partner closely with Commercial teams to translate brand strategy into account-specific programming
- Support priority customers including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, HEB, Sheetz, Circle K, and others
- Equip sales teams with clear, compelling shopper-driven plans that drive incremental growth
Retailer Relationship Leadership
- Build deep relationships with retailer marketing, retail media, and buying teams
- Elevate Lucky Energy from vendor to strategic partner
- Increase marketing penetration and influence within key accounts
Performance Ownership
- Own total chain-level performance from a shopper marketing perspective
- Continuously evaluate:
- What’s working
- What’s not
- Where to reallocate investment
- Partner with Growth to stay informed on media and eCommerce performance across platforms like:
- Walmart Connect, Walmart.com
- Roundel (Target), Kroger Precision Marketing
- Other retailer ecosystems
Org Building: Shopper Marketing Center of Excellence
- Build and scale a Shopper Marketing function aligned to retail formats:
- Small Format (C-store)
- Large Format (Grocery / Mass)
- Club, Drug, Value, FSOP, Military, and more!
- Establish best practices, frameworks, and ways of working that create consistency and scalability
What Success Looks Like
- Clear ownership and accountability for shopper marketing across all key accounts
- Strong budget discipline and smarter investment allocation driving measurable results
- Deeper retailer relationships, shifting Lucky Energy into a true strategic partner role
- Increased marketing penetration and influence within top-tier accounts
- Seamless cross-functional execution, with clear roles between Shopper and Growth
- A fully built and scalable Shopper Marketing organization supporting multiple retail formats
- Measurable impact on chain-level performance and overall revenue growth
What We’re Looking For
- 10+ years of experience in shopper marketing, customer marketing, or retail/account marketing within CPG
- Proven experience owning account-level strategy, budgets, and performance
- Strong people leadership experience, including building and scaling teams
- Deep understanding of the sales-marketing interface and how to drive alignment across functions
- Experience working with major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Target, Circle K, Albertsons, HEB, etc.
- Strong strategic relationship management skills, with experience navigating retailer marketing ecosystems
- Ability to operate as both a strategic thinker and operational leader