Product and Brand Marketing Manager

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Product and Brand Marketing Manager located at our corporate office in Bloomington, MN.  The Product and Brand Marketing Manager brings product growth strategy to life through menu development and execution including the product offering, pricing and promotional recommendations resulting in continued sales growth and customer satisfaction. Closely collaborates on the POP creative process and manages POP kick off brief and inputs form. Under some guidance where necessary of their director, manages multiple products, product lines or strategic pillars (for example, lunch or health). With increasing ability, manages and effectively communicates to cross-functional product teams. Keeps projects moving forward. Executes marketing plans, tests and launch activities. Manages and oversees relevant product launches and coordinates launch activities.  Assists in the development of short and long-term strategic planning for designated aspects of a product category including product positioning and innovation roadmap. Creates strong presentations, synthesizing information from various sources and creating persuasive presentations that move projects and ensures results.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Product Test Implementation and Rollout/Launch:

• Under some guidance where necessary of their director, manages multiple products, product lines or strategic pillars (for example food value and delivery. The volume of projects expected to be completed does not vary from that of an Associate Manager; however, the level of leadership, understanding, ability and efficiency in completing this work is expected to be greater.
• With increasing ability, manages and effectively communicates to cross-functional product teams, gaining alignment and using project management skills, including timeline development and timeline management tracking for all product related projects. Keeps projects moving forward, knowing when to elevate matters to higher management. Utilizes the pipeline meetings to keep the broader cross-functional team informed of project status and changes in a timely and accurate manner.  Ensures that affected cross-functional teams (e.g. Operations) are involved and informed at the right time.
• Creates, manages and presents promotional briefing and POP inputs form with the Creative Services teams.
• Executes marketing plans, tests and launch activities. Manages and oversees relevant product launches and coordinates launch activities, including oversight of the assigned items featured in the monthly Product Launch Kit.
• Manages in-market tests from store recruiting through to evaluation of financial, consumer and operator feedback. If successful, creates and executes plan for system-wide rollout.
• Ensures the timely completion of required internal briefing documents, including project initiation forms for Research & Development department, weekly status reports, and creative assignment forms (POP and advertising).
• Maintains timely and accurate communication to the Field Marketing teams as related to product tests and launches – utilizing pipeline meetings, conference call and various meetings (WW Ops, FAC, etc.).
• Creates and maintains a weekly tracking list of product pipelines issues and next steps.

Brand Strategy and Plan Development

• Assists the development of short and long-term strategic planning for designated aspects of a product category. Provides meaningful input into the determination of how we would bring a product to market. Typical product planning and research timelines range from 6 months to 2 years.
• Product Positioning: Provides meaningful input on how to position a product to market, taking into account how the product will “fit” into consumers’ lives, what makes it consumer-worthy, why the product is better and different. This product positioning is critical to inform the creative marketing team for their later development of strong Creative pieces, such as advertising and POP.
• Articulates the “voice of the consumer” into product and marketing opportunities by reviewing market trends, available secondary research, sales and competitive analysis and validate ideas through online screeners, focus groups and other primary research.
• Utilizes learnings gained through consumer research to develop menu strategies and execute menu plans.

Communications

• With occasional support if needed, creates strong presentations for both internal DQ management and franchisee audiences, synthesizing information from various sources and creating persuasive presentations that move projects forward.
• Participates in Franchisee meeting and conference calls, at times and where appropriate managing or facilitating such calls. As appropriate and with oversight from their director, presents information to Franchisee Councils.
• Assists team in various ways during various franchisee meetings.

Budget Management

Ensures projects are managed within an established, pre-defined allowance, factoring in expenses related to research, point of purchase materials, system-wide communication and external partners related to product category. 

Education/Experience:

• B.A. or B.S. Degree in Marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of work experience and education. MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 3-6 years prior Food/Treat/Retail Marketing experience, required.
•  Experience working within a franchisor organization, preferably a QSR brand, preferred.

Skills:

• Demonstrated cross-functional project management skills, required.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate brainstorming sessions, with advance input and preparation with their director.
• Creative thinker with a track record of developing marketing-related innovative ideas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Basic Power BI knowledge and experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to create and successfully manage project plans, to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline environment.
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients.
• Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
•  Ability to collaborate in a team environment. Ability to coordinate with other departments Creative Services, Supply Chain, Marketing Communications, Concept Support Services, Operations, Legal to complete projects on time.
• Strong knowledge and familiarity with the Restaurant Industry, and of restaurant operations, preferred.
• Intermediate math skills, including percentages and cost of goods and general understanding of financial analysis.

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.