MARS is focused on creating pure shopper delight—an invitation for shoppers to do more than just buy brands. It’s getting them to actually share their lives with those brands. That moment when a shopper physically touches a brand is the culmination of everything we do. And that brand needs to touch her back- her heart, her mind and her sense of what’s possible.

MARS is the number one shopper marketing agency in North America. We hone our craft by unlocking shopper insights and leveraging deep retailer knowledge to create memorable, profitable shopper connections.  Our clients are national Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers—names you know and trust. Our team is composed of people with various backgrounds, but they share a talent for bringing thought leadership to our clients.

MARS is currently seeking an Account Planning Manager to work in our Purchase, New York office.  The Account Planning Manager serves as a key member of the agency team collaborating with account service, channel marketing and creative teams to develop a framework for strategic solutions and building positive relationships with clients.  This role facilitates the consumer understanding and strategic framework development for the core client team.

What You’ll Do:

•         Participate in initial client briefings when appropriate

•         Consult with account and channel teams to defining information requirements/needs

•         Facilitate primary and secondary research support

•         Synthesize data to provide strategic implications and creative inspiration

•         Facilitate brainstorm sessions that inspire big, creative ideas

•         Own development of shopper-focused intelligence gathering and insight development to guide program strategy

–        Consumer/Shopper overview

–        General market trend analysis

–        Competitive/Category behavior assessment

•         Facilitate creative briefing process and own the development of an insightful and inspiring creative brief

•         Assist channel/account teams/IMR in defining program strategy

•         Ensure tactical plan achieves client objectives and strategies

•         Provide team/brand ongoing competitive assessments and industry news relative to shopper and consumer segments

What You Bring to Us:

·        Bachelor’s degree or greater

·        Minimum of 5 years experience in strategy and planning (health & beauty experience a plus)

·        Highly curious nature

·        Ability to maintain and grow relationships

·        Passion about people and understanding why they behave like they do

·        Strong analytical skills

·        Proven leadership and organizational skills

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·        Self starter with strong problem solving ability

·        Capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously

·        High level of energy and enthusiasm

·        Comfortable with high pressure, fluid and ambiguous situations

·        Ability to travel on an as-needed basis