Careers in Marketing

After you complete your first course in marketing, you will learn that marketing is a very broad discipline with approximately one third of all Americans employed in a marketing related field. You have also found that marketing positions provide an excellent career path leading to mid and top level positions within all types of organizations. Below you will find a representative list of career opportunities in marketing each with a brief job description.

 

 

Account Executive
Advertising Copywriter
Advertising Manager
Agent
Art Director
Assistant Buyer
Broker
Buyer

Credit Manager
Customer Relations
   /Service Manager
Freight Forwarder
Import/Export Agent
Inventory Manager
Marketing Manager

Marketing Research Analyst
Media Analyst (Buyer)
Physical Distribution Manager
Product/Brand Manager
Public Relations Director
Purchasing Agent
Sales Manager
Sales Representative

 

Account Executive

Plans, coordinates, and directs advertising campaigns for clients of advertising agency: confers with client to determine advertising requirements and budgetary limitations, utilizing knowledge of product or service to be advertised, media capabilities, and audience characteristics. Confers with agency artists, copy-writers, photographers, and other media production specialists to select media to be used and to estimate costs. Submits proposed program and estimated budget to client for approval. Coordinates activities of workers engaged in marketing research, writing copy, laying out artwork, purchasing media time and space, developing special displays and promotional items, and performing other media-production activities, in order to carry out approved campaign.

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Advertising Copywriter

Writes advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services: consults with sales media, and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising copy. Obtains additional background and current development information through research and interview. Reviews advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of specific and related goods and services to formulate presentation approach. Writes preliminary draft of copy and sends to supervisor for approval. Corrects and revises copy as necessary. May write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative and promotional material. May enter information into computer to prepare advertising copy.

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Advertising Manager

Plans and executes advertising policies of organization: confers with department heads to discuss possible new accounts and to outline new policies or sales promotion campaigns. Confers with officials of newspapers, radio, and television stations, billboard advertisers, and advertising agencies to negotiate advertising contracts. Allocates advertising space to departments or products of establishment. Reviews and approves television and radio advertisements before release. Reviews rates and classifications applicable to various types of advertising and provides authorization. Directs workers in advertising department engaged in developing and producing advertisements. Directs research activities concerned with gathering information or with compilation of statistics pertinent to planning and execution of advertising sales promotion campaign. May authorize information for publication, such as interviews with reporters or articles describing phases of establishment activity. May serve as establishment representative for geographical district or department. May transact business as agent for advertising accounts. May direct preparation of special promotional features. May monitor and analyze sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion campaign.

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Agent

Specialized wholesaler who represents buyers or sellers on a relatively permanent basis. Main function is to assist in buying and selling while performing relatively few other functions. Agents earn a commission for the services they perform. Examples of agents include: manufacturers agents, selling agents, purchasing agents and commission merchants.

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Art Director

Responsible for visual component of advertisements. Translates copywriters' ideas into dramatic visuals called "layouts." Agency artists develop print layouts, package designs, television layouts (called "storyboards"), corporate logotypes, trademarks, and symbols. They specify style and size of typography, paste the type in place, and arrange all the details of the ad so that it can be reproduced by engravers and printers.

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Assistant Buyer

Performs the following duties in connection with purchase and sale of merchandise to aid buyer: verifies quantity and quality of stock received from manufacturer. Authorizes payment of invoices or return of shipment. Approves advertising copy for newspaper. Gives markers (retail trade; wholesale trade) information, such as price mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number to print on price tickets. Inspects exchanged or refunded merchandise. May sell merchandise to become familiar with customers' attitudes, preferences, and purchasing problems.

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Broker

Specialized wholesaler whose main function is to bring buyers and sellers together and assist in negotiation. Brokers are paid a commission by the parties hiring them. Examples of brokers include: food brokers, real estate brokers, insurance brokers, and marketable securities brokers.

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Buyer

Purchases merchandise or commodities for resale: inspects and grades or appraises agricultural commodities, durable goods, apparel, furniture, livestock, or other merchandise offered for sale to determine value and yield. Selects and orders merchandise from showings by manufacturing representatives, growers, or other sellers or purchases merchandise on open market for cash, basing selection on nature of clientele, or demand for specific commodity, merchandise, or other property, utilizing knowledge of various articles of commerce and experience as buyer. Transports purchases or contacts carriers to arrange transportation of purchases. Authorizes payment of invoices or return of merchandise. May negotiate contracts for severance of agricultural or forestry products from land. May conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise. May price items for resale. May be required to be licensed by state.

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Credit Manager

Manages the firm's credit process including determination of customer's eligibility for credit, credit limit, terms of payment, partial and delinquent payments, discounts and allowances and client complaints and inquiries.

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Customer Relations/Service Manager

Plans, directs and coordinates activities of personnel engaged in receiving, investigating, evaluating and settling, inquiries, complaints and claims of customers. 

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Freight Forwarder

Specialized wholesaler who consolidates small shipments from many companies and arranges freight to move at lower transportation cost. 

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Import/Export Agent

Coordinates activities of international traffic division of import-export agency and negotiates settlements between foreign and domestic shippers: plans and directs flow of air and surface traffic moving to overseas destinations. Supervises workers engaged in receiving and shipping freight, documentation, assessing charges, and collecting fees for shipments. Negotiates with domestic customers, as intermediary for foreign customers, to resolve problems and arrive at mutual agreements. Negotiates with foreign shipping interests to contract for reciprocal freight-handling agreements. May examine invoices and shipping manifests for conformity to tariff and customs regulations. May contact customs officials to effect release of incoming freight and resolve customs delays. May prepare reports of transactions to facilitate billing of shippers and foreign carriers.

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Inventory Manager

Plans, directs and coordinates the level and allocation of inventory. Maintains balance between amount of inventory and the costs of carrying inventory with goal of providing desired level of customer or client service.

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Marketing Manager

Executive involved in planning, directing and controlling marketing activities of the organization. Position involves analyzing marketing opportunities, selecting target markets, developing market mix and managing the marketing effort with goal of creating, building and maintaining beneficial exchanges with target buyer while also achieving organizational objectives.

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Marketing Research Analyst

Researches market conditions in local, regional, or national area to determine potential sales of product or service: establishes research methodology and designs format for data gathering, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires. Examines and analyzes statistical data to forecast future marketing trends. Gathers data on competitors and analyzes prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. Collects data on customer preferences and buying habits. Prepares reports and graphic illustrations of findings.

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Media Analyst (Buyer)

Evaluates the characteristics and costs of various media and selects best media for clients. The goal is to reach the desired target market with most effective promotional campaign at a reasonable cost per contact. Negotiates with media for optimal advertising rates, positioning, space and air time.

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Physical Distribution Manager

Plans, implements and controls the physical flow of materials and final goods both with firms and through channel systems from points of origin to points of use to meet the needs of customers at a profit. Activities involve transportation, warehousing, inventory control, order processing and materials handling.

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Product/Brand Manager

Plans, directs and controls business and marketing efforts related to products or product line. Concerned with research and development, packaging, manufacturing, pricing sales and distribution, promotion, market research business analysis and forecasting.

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Public Relations Director

Plans and conducts public relations program designed to create and maintain favorable public image for employer or client: plans and directs development and communication of information designed to keep public informed of employer's programs, accomplishments, or point of view. Arranges for public relations efforts in order to meet needs, objectives, and policies of individual, special interest group, business concern, nonprofit organization, or governmental agency, serving as in-house staff member or as outside consultant. Prepares and distributes fact sheets, news releases, photographs, scripts, motion pictures, or tape recordings to media representatives and other persons who may be interested in learning about or publicizing employer's activities or message. Purchases advertising space and time as required. Arranges for and conducts public-contact programs designed to meet employer's objectives, utilizing knowledge of changing attitudes and opinions of consumers, clients, employees, or other interest groups. Promotes goodwill through such publicity efforts as speeches, exhibits, films, tours, and question/answer sessions. Represents employer during community projects and at public, social, and business gatherings. May research data, create ideas, write copy, layout artwork, contact media representatives, or represent employer directly before general public. May develop special projects such as campaign fund raisers or public awareness about political issues. May direct activities of subordinates. May confer with production and support personnel to coordinate production of television advertisements and on-air promotions. May prepare press releases and fact sheets, and compose letters, using computer. May disseminate facts and information about organization's activities or governmental agency's programs to general public and be known as Public Information Officer.

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Purchasing Agent

Coordinates activities involved with procuring goods and services, such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, and advertising, for establishment: reviews requisitions. Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information, such as price, availability, and delivery schedule. Selects products for purchase by testing, observing, or examining items. Estimates values according to knowledge of market price. Determines method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid. Prepares purchase orders or bid requests. Reviews bid proposals and negotiates, contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority. Maintains manual or computerized procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories. Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action. May approve invoices for payment. May expedite delivery of goods to users.

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Sales Manager

Manages sales activities of establishment: directs staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales program. Coordinates sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and advises dealers, distributors, and clients concerning sales and advertising techniques. Assigns sales territory to sales personnel. Analyzes sales statistics to formulate policy and to assist dealers in promoting sales. Reviews market analyses to determine customer needs, volume potential, price schedules, and discount rates, and develops sales campaigns to accommodate goals of company. Directs product simplification and standardization to eliminate unprofitable items from sales line. Presents company at trade association meetings to promote product. Coordinates liaison between sales department and other sales-related units. Analyzes and controls expenditures of division to conform to budgetary requirements. Assists other departments within establishment to prepare manuals and technical publications. Prepares periodic sales report showing sales volume and potential sales. May direct sales for manufacturer, retail store, wholesale house, jobber, or other establishment. May direct product  research and development. May recommend or approve budget, expenditures, and appropriations (research and development work.

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Sales Representative

Responsible for sale of products and services to businesses, organizations and individuals at at , office, showroom, or customers' place of business. Displays or demonstrates product, quotes prices and terms of sales and prepares sales contracts. Compiles list of potential customers in developing call schedule and prepares reports of business transactions. Requires knowledge of target market, company, product, competition and territory.

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