Marketing Manager - PlayCraft

Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Marketing Manager to join our team at Playcraft Systems, a leading manufacturer of playground equipment and a proud member of the PlayCore family of brands. This individual will play a key role in shaping and growing the Playcraft brand identity-both as a standalone company and as an integrated piece of the larger PlayCore mission.

The Marketing Manager will oversee internal brand development, ensuring strong collaboration with our onsite marketing, graphic design, playground design, and sales teams. In addition, this role will serve as a bridge to our nationwide distributor network, providing tools, guidance, and partnership strategies that strengthen market presence, drive sales, and ensure brand consistency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Brand Development & Alignment

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  • Lead efforts to grow and strengthen the Playcraft brand identity internally, while ensuring alignment with PlayCore's overall brand strategy.
  • Act as a brand ambassador, fostering a culture of brand ownership across the organization.
  • Collaborate with distributors to ensure unified messaging and cohesive brand storytelling nationwide.
  
  
  
  

Strategic Marketing & Campaigns

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  • Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies that promote Playcraft's innovative playground solutions.
  • Oversee campaigns across digital, social, print, trade shows, and distributor-led initiatives.
  • Create and maintain marketing toolkits, resources, and co-branded campaigns to support distributors.
  
  
  
  

Distributor & Partner Engagement

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  • Build and maintain strong relationships with distributors across the country, providing them with brand resources, training, and marketing support.
  • Partner with distributors on joint marketing initiatives, campaigns, and regional events to expand reach and generate leads.
  • Ensure consistent use of brand guidelines and messaging across all distributor-led marketing efforts.
  
  
  
  

Collaboration Across Teams

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  • Work closely with internal teams-including graphic design, playground design, and sales-to ensure marketing strategies are aligned with product launches, customer needs, and business objectives.
  • Coordinate with PlayCore corporate marketing to leverage shared resources, campaigns, and brand opportunities.
  
  
  
  

Data, Research & Optimization

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  • Conduct ongoing market research and competitive analysis to identify new opportunities and emerging trends in the playground and recreation industry.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on campaign effectiveness, distributor engagement, and ROI, making recommendations for continuous improvement.
  
  
  
  

Marketing Materials & Content

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  • Oversee the development of marketing assets, including brochures, presentations, videos, website content, and press releases.
  • Ensure messaging highlights both Playcraft's unique strengths and PlayCore's collective impact.
  • Partner with internal creative teams to maintain fresh, innovative, and on-brand materials.
  
  
  
  

Competencies

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  • Analytical Decision-Making - Ability to evaluate data and apply insights.
  
  
  
  

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  • Communication - Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  
  
  
  

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  • Planning & Organizing - Skilled in project management and timeline execution.
  
  
  
  

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  • Professionalism & Integrity - Represents the brand with credibility.
  
  
  
  

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  • Creative Thinking & Innovation - Willing to test new ideas and approaches.
  
  
  
  

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  • Teamwork & Relationship-Building - Works collaboratively across internal teams and with distributors.
  
  
  
  

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  • Results Orientation - Focused on driving measurable outcomes.
  
  
  
  

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  • SEO/SEM & GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) - Skilled in optimizing digital content for both traditional search engines and generative AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.) to maximize brand visibility.
  
  
  
  

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  • AI Marketing Tools - Ability to leverage AI-driven platforms for content creation, campaign automation, analytics, and audience engagement.
  
  
  
  

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in marketing, with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Experience working with or supporting distributor networks highly preferred.
• Familiarity with SEO/SEM platforms, AI marketing tools, and GEO strategies for generative AI discovery.
• Familiarity with marketing automation, CRM tools, and distributor support platforms a plus.

Travel:

• Willingness to travel locally and nationally to distributor meetings, events, and trade shows.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for events.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).
• Knowledge of SEO/SEM, GEO optimization, analytics platforms, and social media strategy.
• Experience with AI-enabled content and campaign management tools preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Experience with SEO/SEM platforms (Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs) and emerging GEO strategies for generative AI discovery.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled marketing platforms (e.g., Jasper, HubSpot AI, Copy.ai) for scaling content and campaign personalization.

Other Skills:

• Proven success in brand development and campaign execution.
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to influence and support distributor partners.
• Experience with SEO/SEM tools (Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs) and emerging GEO strategies for generative AI platforms.
• Familiarity with AI-driven marketing platforms (e.g., Jasper, HubSpot AI, Copy.ai) for scaling content and personalization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative, adaptable, and highly organized.

PlayCore and its family of brands considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.