Senior Brand Manager - Innovation

Horizon Organic Dairy, LL•Broomfield, CO

About The Position

A Sr Brand Manager at HFB owns brand strategies and leads execution of brand plans with cross-functional teams to deliver annual and long-range growth targets for HFB. The Sr BM is responsible for launching and scaling new businesses, growing base businesses, anticipating and responding to business/brand health dynamics, championing brand/commercial/supply/financial solutions, and leading direct and indirect reports towards flawless execution. A Sr Brand Manager will manage 2 or more business segments that will generate >$300MM in annualized contribution, marketing budgets of $500k-$20MM, and up to 20 projects simultaneously. Direct report responsibility varies. Supports development of strategic plans and leads execution of initiatives that build brand equity, consumer penetration, segment growth, and profitability. Scope is likely to include brand, commercial, portfolio, network, supply, COG, and innovation initiatives. Understands consumer, category, channel, and retailer dynamics and applies understanding in the execution of brand plans. Leads cross-functional teams in the flawless execution of marketing/brand plans, including (but not limited to): integrated marketing, shopper marketing, research, product development, merchandising strategies, COG optimization, network optimization, supply optimization, and PPA. Understands financial documents and identifies opportunities to optimize and/or achieve profitability goals across multiple segments. Partners with insights and analytic teams to strengthen consumer, category, and competitive intelligence. Synthesizes data into actionable insights that influence strategy and drive brand, product, and category change. Initiates consumer or category research initiatives and leads execution in partnership with analytical/strategic teams, which may include CLTs, CDTs, Ethnographies, Packaging Research, Turf Analysis, etc. Socializes consumer and or category shifts internally and externally. Partners with commercial team to achieve distribution and velocity targets, channel and customer prioritization, price/promo execution, and sales/customer communication. Participates in customer presentations or trade events. Leverages commercial and shipment data to inform demand planning (monthly, annually) and facilitates optimal use of network and supply capacity across assigned segments. Understands the regulatory, quality, and food safety environment of a fresh foods business, and can work within parameters to deliver a trusted portfolio to the consumer Leads cross-functional projects through governance stages, utilizing stage gate templates and driving for on-time and within-budget execution. Projects may include line extensions, innovation, packaging refreshes, supplier changes, and network changes. Manages segment budgets – support annual planning processes, quarterly spending, PO initiation, and month-end closure efforts. May manage 1 or more direct reports (FTE or contractual). Achieves annual operating plans and individual development plans.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
Minimum of 5 years of progressive CPG or strategic brand marketing experience with increasing responsibility, and a proven track record of success.
Must have 5 years experience launching and scaling new innovation platforms sold in grocery/mass/natural/club channels.
Competency in the areas of P&L management, people management, brand management, product management, commercial planning, integrated marketing execution, data analysis and synthesis into actionable insights, demand planning, budget management, project management, and new product development governance processes.
Strong communication skills with an ability to inform and influence a variety of audiences: small groups, large groups, executives, external partners, brokers, and customers
Characteristics and behaviors: growth mindset, optimism, initiative, agility, flexibility, ability to think big and tight, drive, ability to influence, and passion for mission-centric brands
Exemplification of HFB values: Team First, Act as Owner, Strive for Excellence, Open Dialogue, and Equip & Empower

Nice To Haves

food and beverage CPG experience
natural foods/mission-led and/or B-Corp certified experience
board-led or Private Equity experience

Responsibilities

Supports development of strategic plans and leads execution of initiatives that build brand equity, consumer penetration, segment growth, and profitability.
Understands consumer, category, channel, and retailer dynamics and applies understanding in the execution of brand plans.
Leads cross-functional teams in the flawless execution of marketing/brand plans, including (but not limited to): integrated marketing, shopper marketing, research, product development, merchandising strategies, COG optimization, network optimization, supply optimization, and PPA.
Understands financial documents and identifies opportunities to optimize and/or achieve profitability goals across multiple segments.
Partners with insights and analytic teams to strengthen consumer, category, and competitive intelligence.
Initiates consumer or category research initiatives and leads execution in partnership with analytical/strategic teams, which may include CLTs, CDTs, Ethnographies, Packaging Research, Turf Analysis, etc.
Partners with commercial team to achieve distribution and velocity targets, channel and customer prioritization, price/promo execution, and sales/customer communication.
Leverages commercial and shipment data to inform demand planning (monthly, annually) and facilitates optimal use of network and supply capacity across assigned segments.
Understands the regulatory, quality, and food safety environment of a fresh foods business, and can work within parameters to deliver a trusted portfolio to the consumer
Leads cross-functional projects through governance stages, utilizing stage gate templates and driving for on-time and within-budget execution.
Manages segment budgets – support annual planning processes, quarterly spending, PO initiation, and month-end closure efforts.
May manage 1 or more direct reports (FTE or contractual).
Achieves annual operating plans and individual development plans.