Marketing Associate

About Us:

Mid-States Distributing is the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Organization. Our 71+ year old company is owned by 29 independent Farm, Ranch & Home retailers ("Members") who operate approximately 700 stores across the US and Canada with combined annual sales in excess of 7.5 billion dollars. Our member/owners retail items such as agriculture parts & supplies, petroleum products, hardware & tools, pet food, lawn & garden, animal health supplies, apparel & footwear, sporting goods, and various other products for the Farm, Ranch, and Home.

We are looking for enthusiastic people who like to win! We place a tremendous amount of emphasis on creating a dynamic and positive company culture. Most of our employees will tell you that Mid-States is the best place they've ever worked. We value high-energy people with positive mental attitudes who believe in the concept of "serving to wow"! Our consumers are primarily rural people raising kids, pets, cows, and crops so traditional values like God, family, and patriotism are important virtues. So, if you are enthusiastic, competitive, have a great attitude, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, like to build strong relationships, like to win, and refuse to eat meat grown in a lab - Mid-States may be the place for you! If you are not, please apply with our competitors!

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Marketing Associate serves as a central support role for Mid-States' Marketing team, with a strong focus on private brand execution and Member support. This role acts as a key connector between internal marketing efforts and Member retailers, ensuring marketing initiatives are executed accurately and consistently.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused position responsible for managing marketing assets, supporting Member requests, and contributing to content development. Success in this role requires strong organization, responsiveness, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Member Support and Communication

• Serve as a primary point of contact for Member requests related to private brand marketing assets
• Respond to Member inquiries, requests, and follow-ups in a timely and professional manner
• Distribute private brand marketing kits and ensure Members understand how to use them effectively
• Track and monitor how Members are using private brand content across social channels

Asset Management and Organization

• Upload, organize, and maintain marketing assets within Media Valet (or equivalent DAM system)
• Manage user access, permissions, and onboarding for asset platforms
• Maintain and update Member marketing contact lists
• Ensure assets are current, accessible, and aligned with brand standards

Content Development and Execution

• Assist in writing customer-facing product descriptions for private brand products
• Support creation and deployment of email communications and newsletters
• Gather and organize product images and marketing content for new product launches
• Proof packaging, manuals, and marketing materials for accuracy and consistency

Marketing Operations Support

• Assist with competitive analysis and research projects
• Coordinate product samples for photography and content creation
• Support execution of broader marketing initiatives and campaigns

General Team Support

• Provide day-to-day support across marketing projects as needed
• Take on additional responsibilities as assigned to support team priorities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related field (degree preferred).
• Experience working with digital marketing tools, including Microsoft Office, social platforms, and email marketing systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy and detail
• Ability to work cross-functionally and respond to internal and Member requests in a timely, professional manner.

Success Profile:

• Execution-focused and detail-driven, with a strong follow-through mindset
• Responsive and service-oriented, comfortable supporting a high volume of requests
• Able to prioritize and stay organized in a fast-paced environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean environment. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping and significant fine finger dexterity.

TRAVEL:

Some travel involved

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A few words from our COO:

I have had the pleasure to work for some incredible companies during my career, but Mid-States is truly the best company I have ever worked for. Lead by our dynamic CEO, Tom Mahlke, our team strives to provide a unique, exciting, fun, and fulfilling work environment for our staff. Things like drama, laziness, and entitlement have no place in Mid-States, which makes Mid-States a refreshing place to work. We offer competitive salaries, have a fantastic benefits package, and believe in rewarding those who produce. We serve a wonderful industry, and we are financially sound and growing rapidly. If you are an enthusiastic, high-energy person with a positive attitude and the skills described above, you may have just found the last job you will ever apply for! I look forward to meeting you. - Jeff Rash, COO