Brand Manager

Giovanni Rana • Bartlett, IL

3d • $155,000

About The Position

Our Brand Manager will support the development and execution of short- and long-term marketing initiatives in the filled pasta category, including new item development, planning and execution, retail channel management, innovation, and brand activation. This role operates in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment, where success is driven by strong execution, cross-functional partnership, and the ability to influence stakeholders within a centralized decision-making structure.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or closely related field is required, MBA Preferred
• 3+ years’ experience in ABM/Brand Management required
• Experience with Consumer-Packaged Goods industry required
• Strong analytical, intrapersonal, & communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and bring structure to complex, fast-paced environments
• Strong work ethic with a consistent drive to deliver results and meet commitments
• Capable of balancing collaboration and assertiveness—able to influence stakeholders while confidently sharing perspectives
• Thrives in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment with a willingness to roll up sleeves and execute at all levels
• Appreciation for and ability to thrive within a family-owned business culture
• Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals inside & outside the organization and maintain regular contact with all stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• MBA Preferred

Responsibilities

• New Item Development:
• Create R&D briefs including product design, pricing and packaging
• Create volume forecast for all new item projects
• Coordinate & facilitate bi-weekly new item meeting for Retail
• Work with cross functional team to bring new items to market
• Support new item development of new US & Canada pasta line extensions
• Support the expansion into new pasta categories/formats and brands
• Build customer sell in decks for new item projects
• Ensure all projects are launched on time
• Uncover insights to aid in new item development
• Artwork & Physical Packaging Development
• Work with Design on creative briefs
• Work with Innovations and Procurement to develop new packaging structures as needed
• Assist Sales with new item sell-in
• Attend key customer new item sales presentations as the product expert
• Consumer & Shopper Marketing Planning & Execution:
• Manage marketing budgets for Pasta Category & New Brands
• Work with customers and agencies to build shopper marketing plans and execute on those plans throughout the year
• Instore activities
• Lead shelftalk planning & creation across all customers
• Lead box talker planning & creation across key customers (i.e. Walmart, Target)
• Manage creation & delivery of instore trays, coolers, shelf strips, & shelf dividers across all customers.
• Lead instore demos & display planning & execution
• Identify & support the development of new tools, agencies, and capabilities for standing out instore and digitally
• At home activities
• Lead digital coupon planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Lead iBotta offer planning & creation for Walmart for Pasta Category
• Lead direct mailer planning with Kroger for Pasta Category
• Develop new tools, agencies, and capabilities for being more relevant at home
• Online activities
• Lead search ad planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Lead banner display ad planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Ensure that online content is accurate at all retailers
• Social/Digital Content Marketing
• When approved, lead the planning and execution of all social/digital activities (i.e. lasagna or TakeHome)
• Measure and track performance of all marketing activities in the Pasta Category
• Retail Channel Management
• Assortment Mix:
• Manage product mix to ensure profitability and strong category velocities
• Provide category mix insights and recommendations to sales team
• Manage discontinuations
• Margin Management:
• Constantly look for cost savings that will not impact product quality
• Investigate ways to improve pricing and lower customer margin requirements
• Provide demand planning, packaging procurement, and ingredient procurement with accurate forecast and help reduce waste cost
• Competitive Analysis:
• Keep a pulse on competitor’s actions in store through IRI, 84.51, and other data sources
• Make leadership aware of new competitive products, pricing, or packaging changes
• Be proactive in proposing actions for velocity or distribution improvement
• Continuous Improvement:
• Continuously uncover areas for product quality and communications improvements
• Develop new business processes to improve company efficiency and accuracy
• Volume planning and achievement:
• Build annual volume budgets for the Pasta Category and new brands
• Monitor and deliver volume goals

What This Job Offers

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