Associate Director, Marketing - Meal Solutions

The Kraft Heinz Company • Chicago, IL

5d • $164,200 - $205,200 • Onsite

About The Position

As the Associate Director, Brand Marketing – Meal Solutions for Away from Home, you will lead strategic direction and execution for a portfolio of iconic brands, including Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Velveeta, Escalon Tomatoes & Heinz Soups. In this high-visibility role, you will drive business strategy, brand portfolio management, commercialization, and integrated communications planning to accelerate growth in the AFH channel. If you are passionate about building brands, leading teams, and delivering measurable results, this is the role for you. This role will be responsible for driving brand strategy and executing comprehensive marketing plans aimed at achieving growth in brand equity, market share, revenue, and profit. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the brand’s performance, ensuring the optimal allocation of resources and budget to meet business goals. The Associate Director leads the Meal Solutions portfolio team in delivering impactful marketing initiatives that align with long-term strategies, using consumer insights to fuel growth and develop compelling brand communications. Success in this role requires an individual who thrives on driving transformation and balancing creative vision with analytical rigor. This position requires a leader who is passionate about building strong teams and leading profitable growth. The Associate Director will gain broad exposure to cross-functional areas such as Sales, Finance, Consumer Insights, Media, Communications, and Operations, ensuring a well-rounded approach to brand development and business success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• 7 to 10 years of experience, with at least five years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management.
• Advanced experience in product and brand management, including P&L responsibility, is highly desired.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams by setting clear direction, providing coaching and guidance, empowering team members, and driving accountability.
• Demonstrated experience in setting strategic direction and effectively inspiring and mobilizing cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Results-oriented, with the ability to navigate complex challenges and ambiguity.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving obstacles within teams and organizations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a track record of fostering effective business relationships.
• Possess strong communication and presentation abilities to effectively engage and influence cross-functional teams and executive leadership, ensuring alignment on strategic initiatives and driving collaborative decision-making.
• Strategic thinker who considers multiple perspectives and future impacts when addressing issues.
• Passion for consumer marketing, culture, new product trends, and innovation.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, delivering on time and within scope.
• Ability to distill data into actionable insights and present a compelling narrative.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to communicate and share vision with the executive team.
• Strong organizational agility, getting things done through formal and informal channels while effectively delegating tasks.
• Ability to prioritize tasks for self and team, removing roadblocks and focusing on what matters most.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Nice To Haves

• An MBA with a focus on marketing is preferred, though candidates with equivalent experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term strategy for the AFH Meal Solutions portfolio to deliver profitable growth.
• Own annual planning, goal setting, and performance tracking for Philadelphia, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Velveeta, and Escalon Tomatoes and Heinz Soups brands.
• Serve as a strategic thought leader, providing insights to influence business and marketing.
• Develop and execute the annual marketing plan within the allocated budget to meet share, volume, and profit targets.
• Influence and collaborate with Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, Culinary, and external partners to deliver on business goals.
• Oversee portfolio positioning and equity-building strategies, ensuring consistent execution across AFH channels.
• Continuously evaluate all aspects of the marketing mix—including product, packaging, pricing, and promotions—to maximize sales, market share, and profitability while closely monitoring competitive activities.
• Identify and respond to emerging category trends and competitive threats with actionable strategies.
• Assess the effectiveness of marketing programs in the food service channel by conducting post-promotion analyses of consumption and shipment data and comparing results against established targets.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute key brand initiatives, coordinating project management with internal departments and external partners, including product development, go-to-market planning, production, trade promotions, sales, market research, consultants, and advertising agencies.
• Oversees teams leading the end-to-end commercialization process for portfolio renovation initiatives, ensuring successful launches that align with customer needs and channel.
• Collaborate with sales and culinary teams to stay informed on marketplace trends, customer insights, and operator-focused solutions, ensuring alignment between brand and joint business objectives.
• Lead IAT (Integrated Agency Team) sessions with both retail and AFH partners, owning creative development, media strategy, and campaign execution for AFH portfolios.
• Deliver compelling B2B marketing communications across digital, social, and channel-specific activations.
• Ensure messaging aligns with brand positioning and business objectives to maximize engagement and ROI.
• Build strong relationships with agencies and strategic marketing partners to drive breakthrough campaign activations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of 4 direct reports, fostering an environment of inclusion, empowerment, and accountability.
• Coach and mentor talent for future growth opportunities within Kraft Heinz.

Benefits

• Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs.
• Events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager