Retail Marketing Manager

About ZBiotics At ZBiotics, we make genetically engineered probiotics that improve daily life. As a group of motivated, yet down-to-earth people, we are fueled by two things: a love for science and a commitment to being people-first. GMO products like ours – built to create benefits for people in their daily lives – are the future. As the first to market, we believe it’s our duty to set a high bar for product quality, safety, and transparency for others to follow. In 2019, ZBiotics launched Pre-Alcohol™ – the world's first genetically engineered probiotic drink – designed to break down acetaldehyde, an unwanted alcohol byproduct. In 2024, we launched Sugar-to-Fiber™ – a genetically engineered probiotic drink mix – that creates fiber from the sugar you already eat, contributing to microbiome health. With a full line of genetically engineered probiotics in development, our team is growing. We’re looking for people as excited as we are to build this new category of consumer products. ZBiotics is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by venture investors including Y Combinator and Khosla Ventures, among others. About the Role ZBiotics' retail business is growing fast and it needs a marketing partner who can match its momentum. This is an opportunity to be the first dedicated retail marketing hire at a brand that's growing and winning rapidly on shelf. Reporting into the Director of Brand and Product Marketing, you'll be responsible for building out the retail Marketing playbook, and for shaping how ZBiotics shows up in every store, on every shelf, and in every retailer partnership, turning brand momentum into retail results. You'll own the retail asset process end-to-end, build out retailer onboarding, and launch our first retail media programs. You'll help define the Sales–Marketing partnership, and be the go-to person bridging Marketing and Sales needs. This is a high-visibility seat with a clear runway: start by building the foundation, then grow the role as retail scales. About You This role is for someone who thrives at the intersection of Brand and Sales. You’re credible enough to hold your own in commercial conversations with senior stakeholders, bringing a strong fluency in translating data into actionable insights. You’re comfortable working within ambiguity and are energized by creating structure and building the systems that don't yet exist. As a strong cross-functional communicator, you translate fluently between brand language and sales language. You’re a low-ego operator who measures success by retail sales team effectiveness, brand alignment in-channel, and company-level wins (sales, revenue, doors). Your Responsibilities Retail Asset Process Own the end-to-end retail creative process — briefs, timelines, creative development, and retailer-specific adaptations — so Sales and Retail Ops aren't managing marketing coordination themselves. Partner with Creative and Brand to translate omnichannel brand strategy into retailer-ready assets that prioritizes the integrity of our brand equity. Partner with our Product Marketing Manager to have an ongoing cycle of customer and retailer insights that will inform your strategy and briefs Retailer Onboarding & Enablement Build and maintain a retailer onboarding kit, including brand assets, training materials, launch templates Own adoption, not just creation: work with Retail Ops to fix why current materials go unused and make the next version stick. Retail Marketing Calendar & Planning Develop and manage a retail marketing calendar aligned to sales planning cycles, retailer sell-in timelines, and the larger Marketing team’s quarterly campaign strategies Set the cadence of briefs and planning check-ins that keep Marketing and Sales moving on shared timelines. Retail Media Activation Launch and manage ZBiotics' first retail media programs: retailer platforms, co-op advertising, Instacart and delivery app advertising, in-store programming. Build the business case and measurement approach for retail media spend, partnering with our Brand Director and Marketing Analyst on attribution. Partner with our Brand Marketing Manager to develop influencer and content strategies around retail expansion moments. Sales Partnership & Buyer Support Serve as the primary marketing point of contact for the retail sales org. Support the VP of Retail Sales directly in buyer meetings with sell-in materials, shopper insights, and program recommendations. Bring shopper and category intelligence into Sales planning — translate data into insights Sales can use in the room. Success in this Role Looks Like By Month 3 — You’ve built a foundation The retail asset process is live: briefs, timelines, and creative handoffs run through a documented, repeatable process instead of ad hoc requests. The retailer onboarding kit is rebuilt and in active use by Retail Ops and retailer teams — not sitting unused like the Corebook it replaces. A retail marketing calendar exists and is aligned to sales planning cycles and sell-in timelines. You're established as the go-to marketing contact for retail asset requests, with working relationships across Retail Ops, Product Marketing, and Creative. By Month 12 — You’ve become a trusted partner Retailer-specific shopper marketing programs are running, tied to launch and sell-in support. You've supported the VP of Retail Sales in buyer meetings with sell-in materials and shopper insights that hold up in the room. Shopper and category intelligence is a standing input into Sales planning, not a one-off ask. Your retail media campaigns are directly embedded in the larger Marketing GTM quarterly plans. At least one retail media program (retailer platform, co-op, or Instacart/delivery) is live. By 18+ Months — You’re managing the Retail Marketing function Retail media activation is built out across retailer platforms, co-op advertising, and in-store programming. The retail marketing function has a defined scope, with initial org planning underway if volume supports it. Trade marketing expansion is scoped — and underway if the VP of Retail Sales confirms the need. The Sales–Marketing partnership runs on rhythms and processes that don't depend on you personally to hold together. Qualifications Must-haves: 6+ years in CPG or consumer brand marketing, with meaningful time in retail marketing, shopper marketing, or trade/channel marketing. Experience working at the Marketing–Sales interface — you've operated as a marketing partner to a retail sales team before. A track record at a small or scaling brand, where you've built processes and systems rather than just inherited them. Demonstrated experience developing and managing Retail assets, including briefs, timelines, creative handoffs. Experience with Retail media activation: retailer platforms (Instacart, co-op programs), digital shelf, in-store. Experience developing sSell-in materials, including development: retailer presentations, shopper insights, program recommendations. Comfort managing Marketing calendars and projects management across cross-functional teams. Familiarity with syndicated data tools (Nielsen, Circana) a plus, but not required at hire. Nice-to-haves Beverage (especially alcohol or functional), wellness, or hospitality experience is a plus. Familiarity with syndicated data tools (Nielsen, Circana) a plus, but not required at hire. Benefits & Compensation We believe in a life well-lived. ZBiotics offers competitive benefits for a life outside of work, including: health / dental, 401(k) matching, a flexible, unlimited paid time off policy, 16 weeks fully paid parental leave, a home office stipend, transit benefits for those in the San Francisco Bay Area, and access to co-working office space if located in or visiting San Francisco. The base salary range for this position is $140,000 - $153,000 a year, and will include additional equity. A presented offer may be higher, depending on qualifications and experience. Employment at ZBiotics is at-will. We Encourage You to Apply… At ZBiotics, we value our differences, and we encourage all—especially those whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in tech organizations—to apply. ZBiotics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. ZBiotics will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and employment process. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact ZBiotics HR.