Can You Lead Marketing for a Central Michigan Grocery Retailer?
Published on: Mar 26, 2026
Updated on: Sep 28, 2026.
An established grocery retailer in Central Michigan is hiring a Director of Marketing on a direct hire basis. You'd own the brand, guest loyalty, digital and in-store marketing, public relations, and events like new store openings, and lead the marketing and design teams. Frontline Source Group's grocery desk is running the search. Because it's a direct hire, the placement is backed by Frontline's 5-Year Placement Warranty, which runs 20 times longer than the 90-day guarantee most of the industry offers. Since opening in Dallas in 2004, Frontline has completed 5,619 placements and holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 verified reviews.
Forbes has named Frontline Source Group one of America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms nine years running (2018 to 2026) and ranked it #148 on its 2026 list of Best Executive Recruiting Firms. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, and an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency. It's a member of the American Staffing Association, operates 32 plus offices nationwide, and holds a 98.94% executive placement retention rate.
What are the key details of this Central Michigan Director of Marketing job?
Here's the role at a glance. The sections below go deeper on each piece.
| Position | Director of Marketing |
|---|---|
| Employer | Established grocery retailer based in Central Michigan (name and location shared by your recruiter once there's a fit) |
| Job type | Direct hire, permanent |
| Scope | Brand, loyalty, digital, social, print, in-store, PR, events, and website |
| Team | Leads the marketing and design teams |
| Experience | 5+ years in marketing, retail, grocery, or consumer-facing preferred |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field |
| Compensation | Salary discussed with your recruiter, plus an incentive plan |
| Benefits | Medical and prescription, vision, dental, PTO, 401k with match |
| Recruiter | Mike Cook (Grocery Store Mike), Frontline Source Group |
What will the Director of Marketing own at this grocery retailer?
Pretty much everything a shopper sees or hears from the company. This is a strategic role, but it's also hands-on. The retailer wants someone who can set the direction and still roll up their sleeves on a store opening weekend.
What does brand strategy and guest loyalty look like in this role?
- Build and run a brand strategy that supports company goals and improves the customer experience
- Use demographic and behavioral data to design loyalty and acquisition programs with measurable ROI
- Run market and consumer research to capture the voice of the customer and turn it into strategy
- Watch competitors and industry trends for openings to stand apart
Which channels and events will you run?
- Manage integrated communications across print, digital, social, and in-store with one voice and visual identity
- Lead the ongoing evolution of the website and digital platforms for user experience, content, and lead generation
- Oversee public relations and brand reputation, and serve as company spokesperson when needed
- Plan promotional and experiential events, including new store openings, community partnerships, and vendor-supported programs
How much of the job is leadership and budget?
A good share of it. You'll run the numbers and the people, not just the campaigns.
- Manage and forecast the marketing budget
- Set and track performance metrics to optimize campaigns and guide decisions
- Work across Operations, Merchandising, and eCommerce to keep marketing aligned with company goals
- Coach and manage the marketing and design teams
- Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and integrity, and keep your own skills current
Why does grocery marketing call for a different skill set?
Because grocery shoppers don't sit still. FMI's U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 report, released in May 2026, found that Americans visit an average of 5.4 separate grocery banners a month. It also found that 54 percent of shoppers always buy in person at their primary store, while 77 percent use digital tools before they shop and 71 percent use them in the aisle, most often the retailer's own app.
That mix is exactly what this job is built around. The store is still where loyalty is won, but the decision to make the trip often starts on a phone. A Director of Marketing at a regional grocer has to connect the weekly ad, the app, social, the website, and what happens at the front door into one story, and then prove with data that it brought guests back. That's why the retailer is asking for someone who is comfortable with demographic and behavioral data, not just creative.
What background is the retailer looking for?
The fundamentals are firm. The grocery background is a strong plus but not a gate.
What is required?
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field
- At least 5 years of marketing experience
- Proven results in event management, campaign execution, and cross-channel marketing leadership
- Strong project management across multiple priorities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and modern marketing and analytics tools
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
- Attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement
What will set you apart?
- Experience in retail, grocery, or another consumer-facing industry
- Public relations and brand reputation management experience
If your experience is in another consumer-facing business, like restaurants, convenience retail, or a consumer brand, frame it around store traffic, loyalty, and sales lift. Those are the outcomes this retailer cares about most.
What does a Director of Marketing earn, and what benefits come with this job?
The retailer hasn't published a salary range. Your recruiter discusses compensation with qualified candidates, and the retailer confirms it at the offer stage, along with the incentive plan. For a national benchmark, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median wage of $166,790 for marketing managers across all industries, and projects 7 percent employment growth for the occupation from 2025 to 2035. That's a cross-industry national figure, not this retailer's offer. Pay for any single role depends on company size, market, and scope.
The benefits the retailer has confirmed:
- Medical and prescription drug coverage
- Vision and dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Incentive plan
- 401k with a company match
Who is recruiting for this grocery marketing role?
Mike Cook, known across the industry as Grocery Store Mike, is the Grocery, Retail, and Pharmacy Executive Recruiter at Frontline Source Group. Mike spent 35 plus years in grocery before moving into executive search. He started as a part-time courtesy clerk and worked his way up through in-store leadership at both traditional and specialty food formats, so he knows what a marketing leader has to deliver for store teams. Mike and Frontline founder Bill Kasko also created the Ronnie Horton Legacy Grocery Scholarship, which Frontline funds and the NGA Foundation administers.
Frontline's broader marketing search work runs through its marketing executive search and digital marketing executive search practices, where Brittany Kasko, Brand Marketing Specialist and Executive Recruiter, focuses on brand, content, and multi-platform strategy.
How do you apply, and what happens next?
Apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. You'll never pay a fee as a candidate. If there's a fit, you'll get a call to go over your background, then be presented to the retailer with a summary, and your recruiter will coordinate interviews, feedback, and the offer. Frontline's interview instructions are worth reading before that first conversation.
What should you have ready before you talk with Mike?
Bring numbers. How big was the budget you managed? Which loyalty or promotional programs did you run, and what did they do for traffic, basket size, or sales? Have you led a grand opening or a community event from plan to execution? Have you handled press or a reputation issue as a spokesperson? How many people were on your team? Specific answers carry far more weight than a list of channels.
Know a marketing leader who'd be a better fit? Frontline's referral program covers that. You can also browse filled roles on the recent placements page.
How can grocery retailers hire marketing leaders through Frontline Source Group?
Frontline's grocery and retail executive search practice places marketing directors, store and district leaders, category managers, and pharmacy leaders for supermarket operators and specialty grocers nationwide. Every direct hire is covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, and Frontline's executive placements hold a 98.94% retention rate. The firm also publishes its fees at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html, which few staffing firms do. To start a search, submit the employer request form. People. Process. Service.
What do candidates ask most about this Central Michigan marketing job?
Who is hiring a Director of Marketing in Central Michigan?
An established grocery retailer based in Central Michigan with a team-oriented culture and a strong focus on serving customers. Frontline Source Group doesn't publish the retailer's name or exact location on open searches, but the recruiter shares both with candidates whose background fits the role.
Is the Director of Marketing role direct hire?
Yes. It's a permanent, direct hire position with the retailer, and the placement is backed by Frontline Source Group's 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day guarantee common in staffing.
What will the Director of Marketing be responsible for?
Brand strategy, guest loyalty, integrated marketing across print, digital, social, and in-store channels, public relations, events and new store openings, the website and digital platforms, customer research, the marketing budget, and leading the marketing and design teams.
How much marketing experience do I need?
At least five years of marketing experience and a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field. The retailer also wants proven results in event management, campaign execution, and leading marketing across multiple channels.
Do I need grocery industry experience?
It's preferred, not required. The retailer would like experience in retail, grocery, or another consumer-facing industry. Candidates from other consumer brands can compete if they can show how their work moved store traffic, loyalty, or sales.
Will I act as the company spokesperson?
Sometimes. The role oversees public relations and brand reputation, and the Director of Marketing serves as spokesperson when needed. Public relations experience is listed as a preference.
Which marketing channels does this role cover?
Print, digital, social, in-store, the company website, and events, including new store openings, community partnerships, and vendor-supported programs. The goal is one consistent voice and visual identity across all of them.
What benefits come with this Director of Marketing job?
Medical and prescription drug coverage, vision and dental, paid time off, an incentive plan, and a 401k with a company match.
What does a Director of Marketing earn?
The retailer hasn't published a salary range, and the recruiter discusses pay with qualified candidates. For a national benchmark, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median wage of $166,790 for marketing managers across all industries. Pay for a specific role depends on company size, market, and scope.
Who is recruiting for this Central Michigan marketing search?
Mike Cook, known across the grocery industry as Grocery Store Mike, the Grocery, Retail, and Pharmacy Executive Recruiter at Frontline Source Group. He has 35 plus years of grocery experience. His bio is at frontlinesourcegroup.com/mike-cook-staffing-services.html.
How do I apply for the Director of Marketing job in Central Michigan?
Apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. Every application is reviewed, and candidates whose experience matches what the retailer asked for are contacted to talk through the role.
Does Frontline Source Group charge candidates a fee?
No. Candidates never pay Frontline Source Group anything. The retailer covers the cost of the search.
About the author: Mike Cook, known across the grocery industry as Grocery Store Mike, is the Grocery, Retail, and Pharmacy Executive Recruiter at Frontline Source Group. He brings 35 plus years of grocery experience, from part-time courtesy clerk to in-store leadership at traditional and specialty food formats, and was a member of the Brookshire University Charter Class, where he graduated as salutatorian. Mike partners with supermarket operators, specialty grocers, and pharmacy leaders nationwide, and he co-created the Ronnie Horton Legacy Grocery Scholarship with Frontline founder Bill Kasko.
