Local Partnerships Manager

Local Partnerships Manager

The marketing team at Aramark is charged with building a strong brand and driving profitable growth.  Through repeatable business models that leverage insights and innovation, Aramark marketers help build base business, new business, and client retention through concepts, programs, products and practices that engage guests “at the moment of truth” – where we serve over 2 billion meals each year at workplaces, schools, colleges & universities, hospitals, sports & entertainment venues and other locations around the country and the world.

In this role, you’ll be a key member of the Local Partnerships Team managing the Local Restaurant Row brand for multiple Lines of Business, working to support the growth of a proprietary solution that adds value for Aramark clients as well as local and regional restaurant partners the Local Restaurant Row brand for multiple Lines of Business, working to support the growth of a proprietary solution that adds value for Aramark clients as well as local and regional restaurant partners. The Manager, Local Partnerships is responsible for program administration including record keeping, compliance, communications, and reporting. In addition, the role will facilitate sourcing, training, and fostering relationships with new and existing restaurant partners in a wide geographic region. The manager will also be instrumental in communicating the brand position, success stories, and program value to internal teams and to support new sales growth.

This position will employ a consumer-centric approach to managing new local restaurant partners, partner onboarding and evaluating success via defined metrics of such as account sales/margin growth.  In addition, this role will partner closely with cross-functional team members and account operators to identify and implement the Local Restaurant Row solution most suitable to the specific location. This position will utilize an approach centered on client needs, guided by actionable insights and designed to foster growth to support program development and activation, as well as partner with cross-functional team members in the creation of B2C and B2B strategies for go-to-market, sales, and retention efforts.

The Manager will need the capacity to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and support multiple LOB’s all while providing the highest-level of customer service to our account teams, restaurant partners and clients.  The Manager will need to have a strong business development acumen and an ability to clearly communicate the goals, benefits, and overall functionality of the platform to potential local partners.  This role is hands-on in the support and success of portfolio partners - from initial introductions, through contracting, training and, finally, service.  

The Manager should be passionate about food and the culinary landscape, have a strong understanding of consumer macro trends and the evolving dining away from home needs of today’s consumer.  They must be obsessed with providing consumers a high-quality dining experience that will drive guest satisfaction within our locations as well as position Aramark as a preferred partner for local restaurateurs.

The  Manager, Local Partnerships will be responsible for:

• Marketing Management: Contribute to the development of key programs, promotions, and ongoing initiatives that support both account and consumer awareness.  Includes new features/functionalities such as technology, menu & new product development changes.
• Business Unit/Other Stakeholder Alignment: 
• Work across multiple lines-of-business and serve as a Local Restaurant Row platform expert in support of requests from field marketing, sales/retention, partners and account leadership. Closely collaborate with Aramark accounts and partners in identified geographies to execute trainings, on-boarding, and continuous improvement of program execution for all stakeholders.
• Partner Training & Support: Manage all aspects of initial restaurant onboarding and training with regard to use of the Local Restaurant Row platform. Monitor use and provide ongoing training for continued success.  Closely collaborate with account teams, where partners will provide service, to ensure site walk-throughs are scheduled and training is conducted on all food safety and operational expectations. 
• Measurement: The position will track and report KPIs and success measures of accounts and local restaurant partners. Manager will be expected to analyze and mine data and resources, including market research and external business intelligence resources, in order to propose strategic plans and guide direction of future development.   

o    Restaurant Partner and Account Sales Metrics

o    VOC Satisfaction Scores

o    Documentation Current in Local Restaurant Row

o    Use of Platform for Reservation Scheduling, Evaluation and Management      

• Program Administration: Perform necessary tasks to ensure that program is executed accurately and all records and data are accurate for both internal and external stakeholders. This may include contracting support, vendor profile creation, training, digital platform maintenance, customer service/trouble shooting, and ensuring success for all users.
• Brand Standards: Oversee and support the implementation of cohesive LRR branding along with materials that highlight partners in our spaces. Support accounts to effectively incorporate partner narratives into internal marketing collateral. Leverage exiting templates and partner materials to assist restaurant partners with onsite marketing and awareness. Responsible for evaluating account/partner best practices in order to continually upgrade service standards, provide training materials for new accounts, as well as compile positive program feedback that showcases program success.
• Partnership Development: Strategically research and evaluate potential restaurant and food truck partners in markets of responsibility.  Develop and build new partner relationships while growing and strengthening existing relationships. Support the evolution of current partners within Aramark’s account portfolio.  Closely collaborate with Aramark accounts utilizing Guest Restaurants in the identification, contracting and scheduling of new partners. Ensure partner profiles are completed and contracts executed within the Local Restaurant Row platform. Provide outstanding customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ad Hoc: Performs related duties and special projects as assigned

    
Travel: This role may require travel of up to 15%

Qualifications

•    Minimum 5 years of experience in Food Service/Retail/Partnership Development.
•    A retail and partnership development mindset with both brand building and activation experience.
•    Experience working beyond individual programs, considering the full guest experience in program activation.
•    Experience in developing Case Studies, Marketing and Sales Assets, and elevating brand awareness for internal and external stakeholders. 
•    Cross functional team collaboration.
•    Track record of success in roles of increasing responsibility
•    Strong knowledge of the food / culinary landscape and understanding of consumer macro trends
•    Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Sales, or Culinary Arts OR equivalent combination of training and work experience.

STRATEGIC
•    Development and leadership of new business and channel solutions.
•    Strategy and program development (including the development of  regional territory plans and marketing strategies)
•    Ability to understand broader company and project/program strategy and to prioritize and manage projects accordingly.
•    Quick study with an entrepreneurial mindset — able to adapt, learn on-the-go and work across a wide range of functional areas.

INFLUENCE MANAGEMENT
•    Ability to lead initiatives across business units and flex ideas/concepts appropriately depending business needs.
•    Ability to work with and influence a broad range of people with diverse backgrounds and expertise across key functional areas (internally & externally).
•    Demonstrated experience influencing without formal authority

COMMUNICATION & STYLE
•    Strong written and presentation skills in range of formats for hands-on development of professional quality presentations, project management communications and program support materials for internal and external audiences.
•    A self-starter, confident in his/her abilities, self-motivated and able to work independently 
•    Persistence/perseverance/patience (ability to deal with ambiguity associated with working in uncharted territory).
•    Resourceful, organized and detail oriented. Able to juggle multiple tasks.

It is expected that the successful candidate will also have the following personal attributes:
•    Strong value system, integrity and respect always, and work ethic
•    Hands on leader/team player/strong collaborator
•    Highly motivated/“can do” positive attitude
•    Highly organized and results-orientation
•    Able to deal with ambiguity/effectively cope with change
•    Demonstrated good judgment 
 

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.