Brand Manager

FreshPet•Bedminster, NJ

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Brand Manager owns and manages Freshpet’s “homemade” portfolio, a fast-growing segment featuring ready-to-serve meals made with real ingredients for dogs and sold through grocery, mass, and pet specialty retailers. Reporting to the Senior Marketing Director, the role shapes and delivers the brand strategy and multi-year growth plan in partnership with cross-functional teams. The position is based around Freshpet’s Bedminster, New Jersey headquarters, with three days per week in the office and travel of up to 10%. The listed base salary range is $135,000–$175,000, with bonus and equity offered. Freshpet describes an benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid parental leave; pet insurance; tuition assistance; and a generous PTO plan.

Requirements

MBA with 2–4 years of experience in a similar or related role, preferred; or a BS/BA with 5 years of experience in a similar or related role.
Experience building forecasts and business cases, with strong analytical and financial acumen.
Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders without formal authority.
Strong project management skills, including setting milestones and meeting deadlines.
Consumer-first, creative, and strategic mindset; ability to manage multiple projects and execute effectively.
Passion for pets and belief that they deserve the best food on the planet.
Ability to commute to Freshpet’s Bedminster, NJ headquarters and work in the office three days per week.
Ability to travel up to 10%.
Must be eligible to work in the United States; Freshpet is unable to sponsor visas.

Nice To Haves

Experience in CPG food or pet brand marketing.
Proficiency with Circana (formerly IRI) or NielsenIQ data.
Ideally, experience working in CPG Food or Pet Brand Marketing.

Responsibilities

Own the brand plan and financials, building short- and long-term strategies for the homestyle segment that balance volume growth, profitability, and sustainable growth objectives.
Develop targeted plans and activation strategies for strategic growth channels and customers, partnering with Sales to identify opportunities and accelerate business development.
Lead strategic initiatives that expand Freshpet’s reach, deepen engagement among valuable customers, and build brand loyalty.
Partner with the Innovation team to develop a multi-year innovation grid, including breakthrough innovations and renovations or upgrades to existing recipes.
Lead launch planning, forecasting, and execution for the homestyle portfolio, including timelines, cross-functional readiness, retailer and consumer communications, and post-launch reviews.
Write packaging design briefs and guide design development and approvals with Packaging, Creative, and R&D.
Evaluate brand performance against plan and develop data-driven recommendations and insights for business goals and strategic growth plans.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve brand growth contribution and productivity, including reformulations, spend effectiveness, and portfolio mix.
Partner with Quality and R&D to champion and implement initiatives that enhance product quality and the experience for pets and pet parents.
Coordinate with R&D, Operations, Packaging, Market Research, and Sales to align and implement brand initiatives and communicate and execute the brand strategy across the organization.