Specialist, Trade Marketing Operations

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Specialist, Trade Marketing Operations

🔹 Company: Holt Renfrew

🔹 Location: 60 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-22

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting Trade Marketing leaders in operational efficiency and financial accuracy
• Managing workflows, coordinating internal processes, and driving cross-functional team alignment
• Ensuring timely and accurate reporting, budget tracking, and expense management
• Collaborating with internal teams to ensure successful marketing program execution
• Proactively recommending process improvements to enhance efficiency and accountability

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Manage and track COOP agreements, vendor spend allocations, accruals, and invoice reconciliation

✅ Maintain and oversee budget trackers, driving the accrual process and providing regular updates

✅ Prepare monthly financial recaps to support divisional planning and ensure consistency in expense tracking

✅ Coordinate workbacks and timelines for marketing programs, including promotions, launches, and seasonal campaigns

✅ Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all program deliverables are aligned with timelines and objectives

✅ Manage the internal vendor activations calendar, ensuring clear communication and alignment with merchant and store teams

✅ Consolidate post-mortem insights to evaluate program effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvement

✅ Support internal approvals for marketing programs, ensuring alignment with Holt Renfrew’s strategic priorities and brand standards

✅ Facilitate internal communication to align cross-functional teams on weekly, monthly, and seasonal priorities

✅ Proactively recommend and implement process improvements to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure financial accountability

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking and requires strong prioritization skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Post-Secondary degree or diploma in marketing or related discipline

Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience in project management, events, or marketing

Required Skills:

• Strong financial acumen with experience in managing budgets, tracking expenses, and handling accruals
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Proactive problem-solving abilities and a detail-oriented mindset
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills to ensure accurate information is captured and cascaded to appropriate teams
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a matrixed environment

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with COOP agreements and vendor spend allocations
• Familiarity with the retail industry and luxury market
• Bilingualism (French/English)

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with the retail industry and luxury market may be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 CAD per year (Estimated, based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)

Benefits:

• Competitive total compensation
• Generous employee discount
• Pension
• Health & dental benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Continuous learning and development

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Flexible, based on business needs)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Toronto area. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically luxury retail and lifestyle

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Large, with a significant presence in the Canadian luxury retail market)

Founded: 1837 (Over 180 years of history and experience in the luxury retail sector)

Company Description:

• Holt Renfrew is Canada’s hub for the world’s best fashion and beauty brands
• Renowned for unparalleled retail experiences and personal service
• Committed to sustainability and diversity and inclusion

Company Specialties:

• Luxury Retail
• Lifestyle
• Fashion

Company Website: http://www.holtrenfrew.com

ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew’s extensive history and large employee base suggest a well-established company culture and extensive resources for employee growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the broader organization

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Trade Marketing Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams, including Creative, Visual, CRM, Legal, Merchant, and Store teams

Work Arrangement: On-site, with a flexible work environment that may include occasional remote work or hybrid arrangements

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement within the marketing department, such as promotions to senior roles or specialized positions
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as merchandising, buying, or store management
• Development of leadership and management skills through mentorship and training programs

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within a large, established organization, with a focus on fostering internal promotions and employee advancement.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Upscale, luxury retail environment, with a focus on high-end design and customer experience

Office Location(s): 60 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON

Geographic Context:

• Located in the heart of Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighborhood
• Close proximity to public transportation, shopping, dining, and entertainment options
• Access to cultural attractions, such as the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with flexible hours based on business needs and marketing campaign timelines

ASSUMPTION: The office location offers a vibrant and dynamic work environment, with easy access to amenities and cultural attractions.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the Trade Marketing Manager and/or other team members
• Final interview or assessment, potentially including a case study or presentation
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and project management skills
• Understanding of the retail industry and luxury market

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience and skills, particularly in project management, marketing, and financial acumen
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and the company
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Research Holt Renfrew’s company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with their mission and vision

ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Operations, Project Management, Marketing Programs, Budget Tracking, Expense Management, Cross-Functional Teams, Retail Industry, Luxury Market

ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary based on the specific needs of the hiring team and the volume of applicants. Staying informed about the company and role will help you prepare for each stage of the process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Budgeting and financial management software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
• Collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies may vary based on the specific needs of the role and the preferences of the team. Familiarity with common project management, budgeting, and collaboration tools is essential.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centric
• Collaborative
• Inclusive
• Innovative
• Sustainable

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Collaborative and cross-functional
• Focused on high-end luxury retail and exceptional customer experiences
• Committed to continuous learning and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines?
• Are you passionate about luxury retail and committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences?
• Do you possess strong organizational and project management skills, with a keen attention to detail?
• Are you comfortable working cross-functionally and collaborating with diverse teams to achieve common goals?

ASSUMPTION: Holt Renfrew values employees who are customer-focused, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning and development. Demonstrating a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a passion for luxury retail will be essential for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including creative, visual, and legal departments
• Ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting and expense management
• Adapting to changes in marketing strategies and priorities
• Balancing the demands of vendor marketing programs with internal approval processes and brand standards

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other marketing operations roles, this position focuses specifically on trade marketing and vendor marketing programs within the luxury retail sector
• This role requires a strong understanding of the retail industry and luxury market, as well as experience in managing budgets, tracking expenses, and handling accruals
• Career progression may involve advancement within the marketing department or expansion into other areas of the business, such as merchandising, buying, or store management

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing operations positions, its focus on trade marketing and vendor marketing programs within the luxury retail sector sets it apart.

📝 Sample Projects

• Managing the execution of a high-profile vendor marketing campaign, including COOP agreements, budget tracking, and expense management
• Coordinating a cross-functional team to launch a new product line, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives, brand standards, and financial targets
• Developing and implementing a process improvement initiative to enhance operational efficiency and financial accountability within the marketing department

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the Specialist, Trade Marketing Operations, requiring strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical marketing campaign lifecycle and how this role supports each stage?
• How does this role collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as Creative, Visual, and Legal, to ensure successful program execution?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in these areas?
• How does Holt Renfrew support the professional growth and development of its employees, particularly within the marketing department?
• Can you provide examples of process improvement initiatives implemented by previous incumbents in this role, and how they contributed to the team’s success?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company’s culture and values.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, particularly in project management, marketing, and financial acumen
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Research Holt Renfrew’s company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with their mission and vision
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.