Senior Brand Manager, Axe Innovation

Unilever•Hoboken, LA

9d•$119,400 - $179,000•Onsite

About The Position

Axe is an iconic legacy brand that plays an important role in the US Antiperspirant & Deodorant and Skin Cleansing categories. This brand has always been known for breakthrough innovation and boundary-pushing campaigns. As the Innovation lead in the US for US model, the Senior Brand Manager is responsible for developing, leading, and delivering innovation projects across Deodorants and Skin Cleansing that align to the brand’s ongoing three-year strategic roadmap. The role reports to the Head of Axe NA and will be based in the United States, supporting across product, communications, and strategy. The US is a highly strategic cell for Unilever, making this a high-visibility role with significant scope for independent brand and team stewardship, agency and cross-functional leadership, and creativity. A successful candidate will demonstrate passion, entrepreneurial spirit, and strong executional leadership, while helping Axe accelerate growth, deepen consumer connection, and deliver a powerful innovation agenda in the US. Given Axe’s legacy in fragrance, this candidate will require passion and expertise in the ever-evolving male fragrance category.

Requirements

6-8 years of relevant branding/marketing innovation experience
Expertise in the US male fragrance category
A creative eye for design
Exhibit the Unilever Power Behaviors: Care Deeply, Focus on What Matters, Stay Three Steps Ahead, Deliver with Excellence.

Responsibilities

Help shape and execute the strategic vision and growth roadmap for Axe in the US, including developing, leading, and delivering innovation plans for the Deodorants and Skin Cleansing categories.
Serve as a key point of contact for the cross-functional team, liaising with Global Axe counterparts to identify leverageable opportunities.
Partner with CMI, R&D, Supply Chain, Claims and Legal, Artwork Excellence, Fragrance, Finance, Packaging, and Creative Services to ensure a robust innovation funnel and deliver against innovation needs.
Support and help drive Unmissable Brand Superiority for Axe by partnering across the system: Technical Project Leadership, CMI, Supply Chain, Claims and Legal, and Finance to build profitable business cases.
Collaborate with agency partners to craft winning design and communications, with best-in-class digital and content for launch.
Fully understand Axe’s performance, challenges, and opportunities in market to tailor the activity plan and strategy to win, while maximizing synergies and resources wherever possible.
Analyze Axe’s US performance and competitor intelligence, proactively identifying issues and opportunities that drive decisions or feed into innovation planning.
Partner closely with the broader brand team, contributing to an inclusive and high-performing environment.