The Associate Brand Manager, Retail Marketing, US Appetizers is a critical member of the North America (NA) Marketing Team responsible for developing and executing annual and mid-range portfolio and marketing strategies.  Responsible for delivering and recommending the marketing mix this position will partner with go to market hub, innovation, marketing operations, insights and other functional groups to meet business and portfolio objectives. The ideal candidate is a proven marketer who is solutions oriented, forward thinking, with a strong commercial lens, sound technical marketing skills, and experience influencing cross-functional teams and actively contributing to an engaged team.  

Fueled by a passion for the Retail consumer, customer and category, this role will deliver profitable sales and market share growth with the goal of growing and transforming the business and category.   

What You'll Be Doing...

• Partner closely with Insights, Innovation and Go to Market Hub to identify and champion growth opportunities, translating market insights into strong go-to-market propositions.

• Champion the customer and consumer, understanding the entire value chain to deliver an integrated and synergistic execution of the strategy across functions

• Supports the annual planning process, driving/influencing innovation, base business growth initiatives and supporting/enhancing brand positioning and commercial objectives. Recommend and manage the full funnel marketing spend for the retail business and report on ROI. 

• Support portfolio and brand strategy, inclusive of brand heart development to grow a family of products/brands that are distinctly positioned, inclusive of PL. 

• Lead execution and tracking of the core portfolio strategy, tracking and adjusting as needed. 

• Support monthly Integrated Business Planning (IBP), with the go to market hub, driving decisions and alignment that balance supply and demand, driving positive mix and scale.  

• Proactively review key brand, product and category performance drivers, identifying key levers that positively impact the P&L and adjust as needed to achieve annual operating plan objectives, inclusive of SKU profitability and mix.  This includes completing product lifecycle and portfolio reviews to deliver on customer, category and commercial objectives. 

• Supports ongoing portfolio health, this includes product lifecycle and portfolio reviews to deliver on customer, category and commercial objectives, ensuring proper portfolio efficiency and assortment to win in the market. 

• Supports portfolio architecture strategy, inclusive of portfolio price tiering/ positioning

• Supports core innovation strategy (non-disruptive) developing and executing line extensions & renovation, inclusive of core product stewardship initiatives

• Input to monthly IBP operating rhythm; with Go to Market Hub to help drive to decisions and alignment that balance supply against demand—and drive positive mix and scale impact to financial performance of the business

• Support base business portfolio performance and product lifecycle reviews, to ensure an efficient and relevant portfolio that delivers to customer, category and commercial objectives. Initiate portfolio mix optimization, profitability, sourcing and pricing initiatives as needed

• Proactively supports key brand and category performance drivers, identifying key levers that positively impact the P&L and adjust as needed to achieve annual operating plan objectives, inclusive of SKU profitability and mix. 

What Will Make You Successful In This Role...

• Is a self-starter and independent thinker with a strong work ethic who can convert insights into sustainable strategies and action plans that deliver results. 

• Is a strong commercial marketer with proven expertise in driving sustainable impact and creating business value

• Is capable of prioritizing and business vision while ensuring alignment from key stakeholders

• Has a proven ability to lead & motivate cross functional teams delivering business and brand objectives 

Marketing Strategy and Fundamentals 

• Strategic thinker and contributor who can drive category and brand growth developing where to play, how to win, what to do marketing, brand, and portfolio strategies

• Bias for leading with consumer insights, a demand-driven stance on the business, and an understanding of category & industry trends and intelligence — bringing teams along to win internally and in the marketplace

• A strong foundational understanding of marketing mix fundamentals

• An understanding and passion for brand comms development and implementation

Commercial and business management acumen

• A strong commercial acumen required to manage the channel P&L to achieve financial goals (top and bottom-line), aligning and prioritizing work to deliver against KPIs and owning and executing strategic initiatives in line with goals (e.g., portfolio simplification, optimization, etc.)

• Robust understanding and ability to report on the key drivers for the brand / category through financial knowledge of the SKUs under their portfolio and their contribution to the business.

Profitable portfolio management 

• An ability to initiate portfolio mix optimization, portfolio analysis, price pack architecture, profitability, sourcing and pricing initiatives.

 People & Culture 

• Lead cross functional teams to ensure all team members are motivated, have clear goals and are vested in delivering the plans

• Strong ability to build rapport, with the aptitude to influence others towards a common goal. 

• Upskill and mentor the brand/product team in knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies and techniques relating to brand management and marketing

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA preferred

• 3+ years of Marketing/Brand Management/marketing innovation experience with close work on P&L’s of a large brand or portfolio of brands within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry in food, preferred

• Working knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies and techniques relating to Foodservice marketing

• Strong commercial acumen and financial know how in the food CPG space preferably in tier 1 or 2 matrixed organization, preferred

• Ability to understand entire value chain and where commercial can drive efficiencies and effectiveness 

• Experience with customer facing engagements preferably with grocery retailers, preferred

• Strong ability to influence people and build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and customers.

• Experience working strategically and operationally, and adapt to fast paced, ambiguous environments while maintaining accountability.

• High degree of tenacity and persistence to get actions completed on schedule with a hands on approach when needed.

• Highly organized with premium analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and a track record of translating data into insights and action.

• Proven track record in delivering several complex projects at a time

• Adept with project management fundamentals with Stage-Gate process understanding to drive decision-making with gatekeepers

• Previous P&L management experience  

• Previous experience working with creative and brand agencies

• Experience deriving insights from both primary consumer research and syndicated data

• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

• Excellent organizational and communication skills