Market Development Manager Jobs

Market Development Manager / Account Manager

Responsible to: Regional Manager North America

Department: Market Development Team (MDT)

Salary and benefits: Commensurate with experience

Contract: Full Time is preferable. However, ASC supports remote and flexible working where possible

Location: USA, National role, preferably east coast.

About ASC

ASC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2010 to set and operate global standards for responsible aquaculture. Certified farmed products are promoted to consumers through the use of its ASC-logo.

The aquaculture industry is growing strongly and is already supplying more than half of all seafood consumed worldwide, but this growing demand increases the environmental and social footprint associated with this expansion. The ASC certification and labelling programme incentivises improved farming practices by promoting the benefits of responsibly farmed seafood and encourages an industry towards achieving environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

We work across the globe with aquaculture producers, seafood processors, retail and foodservice companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public to make it very easy to recognize and buy farmed seafood that meets the highest environmental standards.

For more information, go to www.asc-aqua.org

Role Summary

The Market Development Manager US, will be responsible for deepening and expanding the uptake of ASC’s certification and labelling program by engaging, servicing and conveying the value of the ASC programme and our brand to commercial partners such as retailers, brands and their suppliers, but also strategic landscape shapers like NGOs or institutions who could endorse ASC.

The position’s top priorities will be enhancing the quality of key commercial partner engagement, building effective working relationships to establish growth opportunities for the programme and driving marketing and communication activities.

Main Responsibilities

Drive uptake for ASC’s certification and labelling program by maintaining and expanding relationships with both Commercial partners like retailers, brands, suppliers & processors / importers and Landscape shapers such as NGOs and institutions. In order to;

• Create and lever opportunities of commercial partners in communication and marketing efforts to promote the ASC programme to consumers and build recognition of the ASC label
• Link customer demand towards producers and increase domestic or international producers to achieve ASC certification
• Collaborate closely with the ASC global and local marcomms department to support commercial partners in their marketing needs and champion them when reaching important milestones related to ASC
• Represent and promote the ASC externally at various levels in the local market
• Endorsement of ASC programme and label by landscape shapers such as NGOs, institutes and other non-commercial partners
• Offer of ASC labelled products with retailers and brands in the market
• Engage stakeholders in the improvement of our programme
• Ensure the good use of our label and messaging in the external assets and packaging produced by commercial partners where needed
• Strengthen ASCs market intelligence of the region
• Carry internally the expectations and wishes of commercial partners and other stakeholders regarding the further development of the ASC programme back into the organisation
• Build trust and awareness around the ASC certification by collaborating with NGOs, other certification programs (ISEAL members) and consumer organisations
• Partner involvement in ASC-led communications and marketing campaigns that highlight ASC’s points of difference and value propositions towards consumers
• Support marketing and communication activations:
• Your measures of success will ultimately be to increase our;
• Uptake of Chain of Custody (CoC) certification and use of the ASC logo
• Contribute to building preference and uptake for ASC’s certification and labelling program amongst commercial partners, and foster their commitment to ASC

Desired Skills and Experience

We are seeking someone who has proven working experience in commercial business development, sales or retail buying within the seafood sector or NGO in the US. To be successful in the role you would ideally have an established network in the seafood/ sustainability/ retail sector. In addition we are looking for someone with;

· Solid knowledge about the role of certification in the (sea)food sector and insight into the evolving landscape of sustainable (sea)food

· A diplomatic approach and appearance in linking a business reality with the vision and mission of the ASC programme

· Strong focus on the delivery of result-oriented customer service (including expectation management) through:

- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, as evidenced by your ability to cultivate and manage relationships with partners;

- Excellent verbal communication skills having the natural ability to interact with a diverse range of people;

- Excellent writing skills both for daily communication and outreach material

· Strong organisation and Priorities Management skills to support

· Executing outreach sessions and events;

· Decision making and problem-solving;

· Focus on attention to detail; and,

· Global and collaborative teamworking within a remote setting.

It is considered highly advantageous if you bring any additional language skill in addition to English, i.e. Spanish.

Benefits / Work Perks

Join a fun and dynamic global team focused on setting and supporting global standards for responsible and sustainable aquaculture for future generations to come!

You will also get;

• Competitive benefits locally
• Minimum of 25 days holiday
• Workstation grant
• Paid time to volunteer, up to 6 days per year
• 1 free coffee a week, on us!
• ASC supports remote & flexible working opportunities
• All staff team retreats
• Flexible fitness / wellbeing grant
• To be part of an organisation who are really making a difference!
• Employee recognition awards

The ASC works across different time zones so the pattern of hours may vary according to operational needs. Domestic and international travel and overnight stays will be required occasionally (expenses reclaim options available).