Brand Education Lead - Blue Buffalo (New Orleans, LA)

Blue Buffalo (BLUE), is one of the strongest and most recognized pet food brands in America, and the undisputed leader in Wholesome Natural pet food, the fastest growing segment of the market. At over four times the size of the next largest brand in this segment, BLUE has become the new mainstream brand that’s delivering products that pet parents are looking for, and connecting with them in a true, authentic way.

BLUE thinks of dogs and cats as family members, and believes their food should be natural and healthy. In fact, this was the motivation for the Bishop Family’s decision to create the Blue Buffalo Company. When the beloved Bishop family dog, Blue, faced a variety of health issues, Bill and his two sons, Billy and Chris, set out to create a pet food that was made with only the highest quality natural ingredients—the kind of things a family member deserves. Fifteen years later BLUE has, in many ways, accomplished what the Bishops set out to do—help our dogs and cats live happy, healthy lives.

BLUE has a broad portfolio of natural pet foods, enabling pet parents to satisfy their pet’s specific dietary, lifestyle and life-stage needs, offering them no-compromise product solutions.

OVERVIEW

The Brand Education Lead (BEL) leads, motivates and coaches a team of Pet Detectives (PDs) within an assigned geographic area. Pet Detectives are BLUE’s brand ambassadors who provide an educational and engaging in-store pet parent experience, ultimately facilitating more dogs and cats eating Blue Buffalo.

We are seeking candidates with strong coaching, prioritization, and organizational skills. Candidates must demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, the ability to build strong relationships and be willing to work a Thursday to Monday schedule.

This role is based in the greater New Orleans, LA area (must live within a 1-hour radius of New Orleans). This territory covers LA, AL, MS, Western FL and most of AR.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP

• Lead, motivate and develop PDs to build an engaged and effective organization that drives incremental sales
• Coach PDs through work-withs and check-ins (virtual and in-person) and provide feedback
• Conduct final interviews and select new PDs in alignment with company selection guidelines and policies
• Manage and provide direction, including policy enforcement, to 30-50 Pet Detectives over a broad market to support BLUE’s sales goals
• Model GMI Leadership behaviors to foster an inclusive environment and embrace a learning mindset
• Take personal accountability and ownership for results, and deeply understand customer needs

EXECUTIONAL EXCELLENCE

• Routinely review store level data and make necessary staffing adjustments to manage team coverage and ensure maximum productivity aligned to BLUE’s business priorities
• Maintain detailed and accurate records including timely reporting of results, progress, current conditions and needs to manager
• Coordinate and communicate schedule to ensure coverage of retail accounts during effective hours
• Approve payroll weekly and accurately

SELLING EXPERTISE & LEADERSHIP

• Understand BLUE products, categories, and brand priorities and how to provide pet parent solutions
• Build and maintain relationships with store managers where PDs are staffed
• Use and adapt to tools and technology, execute training, and provide guidance for team

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must live within market area and ideally within center of store density; able to travel up to 50% (largely day travel – overnight travel may be required 2-3 nights per quarter)
• At least 2 years relevant or transferrable experience
• Passion to represent Blue Buffalo
• Ability to use technology including CRM
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with internal and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to lead and provide clear direction to a team
• Able to work a Thursday-Monday workweek
• US work authorization and valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 20 pounds while using the appropriate lifting techniques and safety rules

Prolonged walking, standing and some climbing of ladders within aisle

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Pet enthusiast