Senior Specialist, Product Activation

Nombase; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nombase is seeking a Sr. Specialist, Product Activation to oversee day-to-day execution of consumer sampling programs, ensuring flawless field operations from cold chain to inventory and staffing across markets.

You will lead mobile sampling events, manage fleets and equipment, train brand ambassadors, and partner with sales to drive in-store trial and retail conversion, while tracking metrics and controlling costs. This role thrives in a fast-moving field environment.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in field marketing, experiential marketing, event operations, or sampling program management.
• Demonstrated experience managing logistics, vehicles, or cold storage systems (food and beverage industry experience preferred).
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and travel, as needed.
• Hands-on mentality with a high standard for execution, safety, and brand integrity.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record (if operating sampling vehicles).

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end execution of mobile sampling programs across key markets and events.
• Oversee fleet vehicle scheduling, setup, cleanliness, and maintenance to ensure timely and consistent deployment.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and cold chain protocols, including appropriate handling and temperature control of perishable products.
• Maintain and organize all field marketing assets, uniforms, storage units, and equipment to ensure readiness and brand alignment.
• Schedule, train, and manage brand ambassadors to deliver outstanding consumer experiences and uphold brand voice, tone, and values.
• Conduct field visits to monitor performance, troubleshoot in real-time, and provide in-the-moment coaching when needed.
• Create and distribute training tools and performance guidelines to ensure brand ambassadors are informed, confident, and prepared.
• Partner with Sales and Retail Marketing to align sampling activations with key retail accounts, drive in-store trial, and support point-of-sale conversion.
• Scout and coordinate high-foot-traffic activation locations such as gyms, festivals, campuses, cultural events, and transit hubs to maximize brand reach.
• Monitor and report on key program metrics including number of samples distributed, consumer impressions, conversion rates, and qualitative field feedback.
• Use data and observations to identify areas for operational efficiency and improved consumer impact.
• Manage sampling budgets, vendor relationships, and field-related expenses with a focus on cost-effectiveness and scalability.

Job description

The Sr. Specialist, Product Activation is responsible for the seamless, day-to-day execution of product sampling programs that bring the brand directly to consumers. This hands-on role ensures operational excellence across sampling vehicles, cold chain management, inventory, and field staffing—creating high-quality consumer touchpoints that drive trial, brand affinity, and retail conversion. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, proactive operator who thrives in a fast-moving, field-based environment and understands the importance of flawless execution in building lasting brand impressions.

Responsibilities

Program Execution & Field Operations

• Lead the end-to-end execution of mobile sampling programs across key markets and events
• Oversee fleet vehicle scheduling, setup, cleanliness, and maintenance to ensure timely and consistent deployment
• Ensure compliance with food safety and cold chain protocols, including appropriate handling and temperature control of perishable products
• Maintain and organize all field marketing assets, uniforms, storage units, and equipment to ensure readiness and brand alignment

Team Oversight & Brand Representation

• Schedule, train, and manage brand ambassadors to deliver outstanding consumer experiences and uphold brand voice, tone, and values
• Conduct field visits to monitor performance, troubleshoot in real-time, and provide in-the-moment coaching when needed
• Create and distribute training tools and performance guidelines to ensure brand ambassadors are informed, confident, and prepared

Retail & Community Integration

• Partner with Sales and Retail Marketing to align sampling activations with key retail accounts, drive in-store trial, and support point-of-sale conversion
• Scout and coordinate high-foot-traffic activation locations such as gyms, festivals, campuses, cultural events, and transit hubs to maximize brand reach

Tracking & Optimization

• Monitor and report on key program metrics including number of samples distributed, consumer impressions, conversion rates, and qualitative field feedback
• Use data and observations to identify areas for operational efficiency and improved consumer impact
• Manage sampling budgets, vendor relationships, and field-related expenses with a focus on cost-effectiveness and scalability

Requirements

• 1-2 years of experience in field marketing, experiential marketing, event operations, or sampling program management
• Demonstrated experience managing logistics, vehicles, or cold storage systems (food and beverage industry experience preferred)
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and travel, as needed
• Hands-on mentality with a high standard for execution, safety, and brand integrity
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record (if operating sampling vehicles)