Vice President Growth Initiatives

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT), a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet, lawn and garden supplies markets, is seeking a Vice President of Growth Initiatives to join our corporate team located in Walnut Creek, CA.

The Vice President of Growth Initiatives partners with the CEO and executive team to develop and implement aggressive growth initiatives across the Company’s markets and brands, through new and related businesses, and potential acquisitions.  The resulting initiatives will drive growth through market expansion of new products and categories, and the ability to leverage brand strength to increase market share. This leadership position reports directly to the CEO.

Please see our web site for company information: www.central.com

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads development of a roadmap for short and long-term growth, with expected target of doubling company revenue in 3-5 years, primarily through organic growth and secondarily through acquisitions.

• Assesses competitive landscape to identify new businesses, markets, channels, and products that will add significant top line growth and bottom line profitability.

• Conducts market research and analyzes trends to capitalize on business opportunities that maximize mid and long-term growth.

• Utilizes market data, consumer research, customer insights, sales data, and competitive intelligence to identify needs in the market that support the expansion and customization of existing products, the introduction of new products, and customer segmentation initiatives that drive sales and create new revenue streams. 

• Performs or directs feasibility study processes to determine potential entry strategy into expansion markets.

• Partners with field marketing, sales and operations teams to generate and harness internal innovation, explore and evaluate ideas to assess potentially larger growth opportunities, and assess ability to integrate new growth opportunities into existing organization.

• Translates critical and complex opportunities into actionable plans and provides oversight to ensure plans are implemented.

• Links corporate brand building activities and product development activities with merchandising, product and retail activities across all market segments and channels.

• Works cross-functionally to expand and nurture a culture of growth and innovation within Central.

SKILLS

• Successful track record of developing and executing significant growth initiatives involving expansion into new markets, product and channel development.

• A minimum of 10 years experience including leadership roles, branded consumer products development, project management, market research, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• Demonstrated experience initiating and building relationships with executive teams and cross-functionally; ability to act as a thought partner with CEO as well as foster collaboration with others.

• Proven work history of being able to make decisions from concepts, translate incoming data into action plans, measure results, and quickly adapt to rapidly changing marketplace while working independently or with a limited staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong interpersonal and influencing skills; ability to coach, and develop business communications.

• Successful candidate will be highly analytical, driven, flexible, and able to work with some ambiguity, quick to respond, and have acute attention to detail.

• Must be results driven, action oriented, and able to get things done effectively.

• Minimum of Bachelors Degree in business, marketing, or related field; Masters Degree strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments


• Frequent use of computer and phones


• Some travel required

Central Garden & Pet is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer