Area Manager - Indirect Retail

Position: ATX - Area Manager Indirect Retail/Specialty/Independents Supervisors: City Manager, Austin TX Job Type: Full-time Job Description Management position leading the deployment of brand-building initiatives, consumer engagement programs, and commercial execution for heated tobacco product. This position provides a conduit for communication between field sales/brand teams and senior leadership; Leads planning for success with a strong local-market and consumer-centric perspective. Drives critical strategic initiatives across brand awareness, adult consumer acquisition, and sales growth; Builds agile, high-performing teams and manages execution excellence; Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements; Communicates effectively with team members and leadership; Oversees retail visibility, merchandising standards, and experiential activations; Works with leadership on partnerships, retail agreements, and channel development. Duties and Responsibilities Provides regular updates on activation performance, sales metrics, market insights, challenges, and achievements. Elevates operational, regulatory, and commercial risks appropriately. Conducts structured monthly and quarterly business reviews with direct reports. Collaborates to deliver excellence within consumer activation channels. Sets clear objectives and execution of roadmaps aligned with KPIs (e.g., adult smoker conversion, guided trial rates, lead generation). Reviews KPIs regularly with the team, identifies gaps, and implements corrective actions to optimize performance. Recruits, trains, and develops a high-performing field team focused on both brand storytelling and sales conversion. Ensures teams are well-versed in product knowledge, device usage, and responsible communication guidelines. Delivers coaching and ongoing feedback to improve engagement quality and sales effectiveness. Promotes a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement. Oversees indirect retail execution, including merchandising, visibility standards, and point-of-sale excellence within activation spaces. Leads adult consumer engagement programs, including product sampling (where permitted), demonstrations, and conversion-focused interactions. Assist in Identifying, negotiation, and activation of partnerships with key retail accounts. Conducts regular market visits and ride-along to ensure quality execution and gather insights. Supports workforce planning and scheduling through company systems; monitors time, attendance, and productivity. Ensures strict adherence to regulatory frameworks governing tobacco and nicotine product marketing and sales. Oversees direct reports adherence to inventory planning. Ensure timely and accurate distribution of marketing materials and assets. Monitors asset utilization and maintains operational efficiency across locations. Skills/Knowledge Leadership and team development Strategic thinking with commercial acumen Communication and influence Networking and negotiation Performance management and accountability Collaboration and cross-functional alignment Adaptability in regulated and dynamic environments Problem-solving and decision-making Relationship building Time and priority management Strong understanding of tobacco/nicotine regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements. Knowledge of adult consumer behavior and conversion journeys. Sales management and brand activation principles within CPG environments. Retail execution and merchandising standards. Operational logistics and inventory management. Requires managing multi-level communications across field teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and executive leadership. Operates within a highly regulated industry requiring strict adherence to local, state, and national tobacco/nicotine regulations. Balances brand-building, consumer engagement, and direct sales accountability. Navigates diverse retail environments and evolving competitive landscapes. Preferred Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Management, or a related field. Minimum 8+ years of experience in CPG, field marketing, brand activation, or sales management. Minimum 2–3 years of experience in a managerial role leading field or commercial teams. Experience within nicotine, tobacco, or other regulated categories preferred. Physical Requirements Must be able to lift objects of at least fifty (50) pounds. Must have a valid government issued driver’s license. Technology Square reader Inventory Software ID Scanner Electronic Tablets Office suite software - Microsoft Office including Teams and OneDrive Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook T-Sheets Work Schedule Flexible scheduling Must be available evenings & weekends. #J-18808-Ljbffr