Brand Manager I/II - Jennie-O® Brand - Retail - Corporate Office (Austin, MN / Willmar, MN)

Hormel Foods Family of Companies • Austin, MN

14h • $104,675 - $156,175 • Onsite

About The Position

Hormel Foods Corporation is hiring a Brand Manager I/II for the Jennie-O® retail brand, based at its corporate office in Austin, Minnesota, or Willmar, Minnesota. The position operates independently and is intended for a highly seasoned brand professional with demonstrated success in brand strategy, brand management, and innovation. The Brand Manager makes recommendations to drive or redirect the business and is accountable for delivering portfolio objectives, including volume, net sales, and gross margin targets.

The role works with the Marketing Director and Senior Brand Manager to create the long-range plan and develop and execute annual operating plan targets. It identifies product and line-extension opportunities through consumer and market analysis, develops business cases, and coordinates cross-functional execution. The Brand Manager manages brand equity and consumer engagement, partnering with agencies on annual media, promotion, and public relations plans.

The position supports operations, logistics, forecasting, and purchasing in managing finished-goods and supply inventories, and leads indirect cross-functional team members on projects. It collaborates with the national category sales manager and direct sales force to grow the brand, develop trade strategy and the national trade budget, coordinate promotions and supply, protect distribution, support customer engagement, and respond to marketplace changes. Day-to-day execution includes item setup, licensing, packaging projects, new-item development, project management, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and S&OE. The position requires travel 10%–20% of the time. Level will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3–6 years of retail experience, including cross-functional experience such as retail sales and marketing.
• Pattern of initiative and success.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment on a variety of complex projects.
• Strong analytical and time-management skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated creative-thinking skills.
• Demonstrated aptitude and effectiveness in budget and financial management.
• Must not require sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Nice To Haves

• MBA.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Marketing Director and Senior Brand Manager to create the long-range plan and develop and execute annual operating plan targets for the assigned portfolio.
• Establish business objectives, strategies, and tactics to attain annual operating plan targets; achieve volume, net sales, and gross margin goals.
• Monitor and update P&L forecasts in partnership with Financial Planning & Analysis.
• Identify new product and line-extension opportunities by analyzing consumer trends, assessing market needs and potential, and building business cases.
• Collaborate across teams to communicate strategies and execute plans that support long-range plans and strategies.
• Manage brand equity development and consumer engagement strategies and tactics.
• Partner with agencies to create annual consumer media, promotion, and public relations plans.
• Support operations, logistics, forecasting, and purchasing in managing finished-goods and supply inventories.
• Lead and manage indirect cross-functional team members on projects supporting brand initiatives and business needs.
• Work with the national category sales manager and direct sales force to deliver brand sales growth, including promotion timing, supply-chain coordination, and distribution protection.
• Support retail customer engagement by participating in customer sales calls, developing presentations or content, and helping address customer category and brand opportunities and challenges.
• Develop trade strategy and the national trade budget with the national category sales manager counterpart.
• Monitor marketplace dynamics and implement corrective action when necessary.
• Manage day-to-day business execution, including item setup, licensing, packaging projects, new-item development, project management, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and S&OE.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Discretionary annual merit increases.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Stock purchase plan.
• Paid time off.
• Free two-year community or technical college tuition for children of employees.
• A comprehensive relocation package to Austin, Minnesota, or Willmar, Minnesota, may be offered if required.

What This Job Offers

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