Horse show manager job description

Are you an experienced and networked Trade Show Manager who loves to travel and is passionate about developing a big picture strategy, managing details, inspiring and effectively leading a team, and impactfully merchandising showrooms? If so, we would love to have you join our team!

Primitives By Kathy is the #1 wholesaler of "present day primitives" to nationwide retail stores. With a focus on creative design, ahead-of-the-market product innovation, and international sourcing, the company currently offers over 9,000 unique home décor and gift items to more than 22,000 worldwide customers. Headquartered in Lancaster, PA, the company connects with customers through its robust catalogs, website, tradeshows, and permanent showrooms in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Dallas.
Principle Responsibilities:

Trade Show Management & Operations:

* Manages all strategy and operations related to trade show planning, communication, and post-show wrap-up for continuous improvement. This includes development and oversight of a minimum of PBK's six main shows (and their coordinating work parties) throughout the year as needed, as well as coordination with Outside Sales Representative showrooms.
* Leads all Trade Show planning meetings and owns Trade Show Template, including timelines, organization, communication among key participants, and reservations/cancellations for hotels and airline tickets.
* Coordinates maintenance and utilization of Trade Show Handbook, checklists, show binders, SOPs, journals, and Master Show Calendars.
* Manages day-to-day execution of all showroom events, labor planning, and needs.
* Oversees the Show Room Coordinator to ensure all show operations, work party resources, and staff travel needs are organized and completed.
* Coordinates and purchases designated show attire for all show representatives.
* Coordinates Information Technology (IT) support at the showroom locations, including equipment transfers, and collaborating with IT to ensure everything is working properly.
* Serves as point of contact at showroom during the Work Parties and non-show times for escalated issues, HR concerns, safety related incidents/issues, service complaints, showroom aesthetic, personnel conduct, work and break schedules.
* Identifies and delegates equipment needs for each show and confirms transportation/delivery.
* Works with Show Room Coordinator to oversee hospitality of showrooms (cleanliness and needed supplies).
* Responsible for managing each show's pick list for items (developing pick plan process, follow up, scheduling freight, and calendar of events).
* Coordinates with Show Room Manager on return freight (small packages to multi-skid shipments).

Visual Merchandising, Show Room Displays, & Product Management:

* Lead all merchandising and visual display efforts, ensuring that show rooms are innovative, on brand, effective and create a positive customer experience. Develop fresh, inspiring showroom sets for each season and ensure consistent displays, branding, and storytelling across all showrooms. Manage all purchasing, building or prop accrual, and coordinate the shipment to the destination showroom.
* Work with Sales and Marketing teams on flow of showrooms, customer experience, and databased decisions on front-running lines to showcase.
* Manage pricing formats and coordinate with IT to ensure all criteria is covered.
* Make data-driven decisions alongside Product Development and Sales teams to evaluate what products need a physical presence in the showrooms and which ones can be represented through other easy-to-access options

Team Management & Inspiration:

* Effectively lead a team of staff, seasonal contractors, and vendors towards a clear, unified vision. Clearly coordinate a large team of colleagues and partnering departments to achieve an organized and successful show season.
* Oversee part-time Show Room Coordinator and ensures all responsibilities are completed including recruiting and equipping a Work Party crew for each showroom and each season.
* Responsible for identifying labor needs and working with Human Resources (HR) for the hiring of additional resources, and contractors beyond Primitives By Kathy employees as needed. Work with the Show Room Coordinator on showroom vendors, contractors, etc.
* In conjunction with the VP of Sales, train all show staff on updated displays, showroom flow, products, technology, etc.

Required Experience & Skills:

* Preferred minimum 3-5 years trade show management experience, including event coordination
* Preferred retail merchandising experience which could include set design and creation, construction/restoration, and space planning
* Preferred proven team management experience
* Experience completing multiple tasks on time and meeting strict deadlines with keen attention to detail
* Adept with mechanical and creative skills (familiar with trade show fabrication and installation process) to identify custom applications and solutions for manufacturing and fabrication of project orders.
* Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbal, to all levels of the organization
* Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and have strong organizational skills
* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while adapting to changing deadlines and priorities
* Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and guidance, prioritize work and handle simultaneous assignments with success and accuracy
* Ability to work effectively and accurately under pressure with tight timeframes
* Proactive, responsive, results oriented and resourceful
* Strong customer orientation and attention to detail
* Computer proficient Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills

Location & Travel:

* Depending on where candidate lives, must be able to travel up to 30% of the time including weekends. PBK's permanent showrooms are located in Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Periodic travel required to home offices in Lancaster.
* Travel, evening and weekend work required
* Preferred candidate lives in one of our permanent showroom cities, ideally Atlanta, as it is our largest show room.
* Depending on where the candidate is located, will hold regular office hours in Atlanta showroom

Learn more at www.primitivesbykathy.com

Primitives By Kathy provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Primitives By Kathy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training.