Associate Brand Manager

S****ummary/Objective

The Associate Brand Manager (ABM) has a business-owner mentality and is responsible for leading specific projects to support the business. An ABM must have strong initiative and be an influencer of people in cross-functional assignments where consumer, customer and shopper insights are used to coordinate with other functional areas to take necessary actions in support of the business. This position plays a leadership and project management role with both internal and external constituents. Additionally, this position requires strong analytical skills and an ability to translate analysis on the business into recommendations. The ability to monitor performance indicators and provide in-depth analysis by product line, SKU, distributor, sales region and financial impact to determine opportunities for growth is crucial. Growth opportunities include consumer advertising, promotion, product innovation, pricing, product optimizations, retail/shopper programs, and other key actions that could affect the overall profit and share position. As the brand equity owner, the candidate must have a deep understanding of the external environment including general trends impacting the business, competitive assessments, and an understanding of both consumers and customers. Additionally, this position will require the ability complete monthly forecast and budget projections.

The ABM will report to Brand Manager, SRC & Snacking Innovation, and will work a hybrid schedule in our New Holland, PA office 3 days/week.

Essential Functions

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

• Assist the marketing leadership team in the development of business strategies as well as annual business and marketing plans for the brands.
• Analytically track & report on business performance through both internal and external sales tracking sources.
• Manage the business performance by leveraging key components of the P&L to achieve annual growth targets.
• Lead projects that support the development of new product and product portfolio plans for the brands, including setting new product/restage/discontinuation direction and lead product development projects by partnering with research & development (R&D), finance, operations and other cross-functional team members.
• Assist in developing marketing plans for the brands including growth strategies supported market & consumer insights to include recommended budget and development, implementation, and performance analysis of marketing programs (advertising & consumer promotions).
• With support of manager, creatively leverage consumer and shopper marketing dollars to maximize brand growth and ROI.
• Lead brand package design process, including work with designers, package vendors, co-brand partners, and internal partners.
• Manage business segment qualitative and quantitative research efforts, including focus groups, product testing, advertising testing, and syndicated research information.
• Work with Sales team to understand go-to-market strategies, develop communications plans for innovation and distribution gap analysis within portfolio.
• Assist the sales team in development and delivery of new market and/or new product presentations.
• Monitor and track consumer perception and sales of new products and take corrective action as necessary.
• Exhibit a leadership style that promotes behavior that values respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety of others.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead or facilitate business segment and cross-functional teams through implementation of key business initiative and continuous improvement projects that provide value to the consumer.
• Provide leadership and direct activities to assure programs, policies and practices are followed to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Behaviors/Skills

• Puts the consumer first – Anticipates consumer needs through an intimate understanding of their needs and desires then acts accordingly to exceeds consumer expectations, gaining trust.
• Strong analytical skills – Utilize multiple points of data to develop insights that further the brand performance, build strategic plans and forecasts performance. Experience with Nielsen or IRI retail sales data a plus.
• Business owner mindset– Taking initiative and acting with an entrepreneurial sense of urgency to move the business forward.
• Communicates effectively and candidly– Communicates clearly and directly, approachable, relates well to others, engages people and helps them understand change, provides and seeks feedback, articulates clearly, actively listens.
• Achieves results through teamwork– Is open to diverse ideas, works inclusively and collaboratively, holds self and others accountable, involves others to accomplish individual and team goals.
• Leads through positive influence – Demonstrates strong character; builds partnerships; models a conscious balance between work and personal life; takes personal responsibility for own development; role models leadership qualities such as motivation, inspiration, passion and trust.
• Coaches and develops others – Develops and cares about associates, builds effective teams, helps people be their best, values and manages diversity, provides candid and constructive feedback.
• Leads change and innovation – Challenges the status quo, embraces technology, puts forward creative ideas, champions and implements process improvements, gathers the ideas of others, demonstrates good judgment about which ideas will work.
• Executes with excellence – Is action oriented, drives for results, sets clear expectations and milestones, reviews progress, acts decisively, solves problems, can be counted on to consistently meet or exceed goals.
• Provides clear and strategic direction – Plans and organizes well, sets a clear and simple course of action, stays focused on the most important priorities, has the ability to visualize and plan for the future, understands the industry and marketplace.
• Safety Awareness – Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards.

Travel

Up to 15% travel may be required for trade shows and events as needed.

Required Education and Experience

• 3+ years Marketing experience in Consumer Products with New Products, Financial, and cross-functional project team management responsibility.
• Bachelor's Degree required; MBA strongly preferred
• A working knowledge of various software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and data asset management systems.
  • Experience with Nielson, Numerator, and/or Circana retail sales data a plus.
  • Working knowledge of Office365 (specifically PowerPoint & Excel) necessary.