Brand Manager

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Our Brand Manager will support the development and implementation of short- and long-term marketing strategies in the filled pasta category, including new item development, planning and execution, retail channel management, innovation, and brand activation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New Item Development: (Primary focus on Prepared Meals Category)

• Create R&D briefs including product design, pricing and packaging
• Create volume forecast for all new item projects
• Lead bi-weekly new item meeting for Retail
• Work with cross functional team to bring new items to market
• Lead new item development of new US & Canada pasta line extensions
• Lead the expansion into new pasta categories/formats and brands
• Lead new item development of new pasta launches in Canada
• Build customer sell in decks for new item projects
• Ensure all projects are launched on time
• Uncover insights to aid in new item development

Artwork & Physical Packaging Development

• Work with Mkt Packaging Services Mgr. on creative briefs
• Work with Innovations and Procurement to develop new packaging structures as needed

Assist Sales with new item sell-in

• Attend key customer new item sales presentations as the product expert

Marketing Planning & Execution (Prepared Meals Category)

Consumer & Shopper Marketing Planning & Execution:

• Manage marketing budgets for Pasta Category & New Brands
• Work with customers and agencies to build shopper marketing plans and execute on those plans throughout the year
• Instore activities
• Lead shelftalk planning & creation across all customers
• Lead box talker planning & creation across key customers (i.e. Walmart, Target)
• Manage creation & delivery of instore trays, coolers, shelf strips, & shelf dividers across all customers.
• Lead instore demos & display planning & execution
• Develop new tools, agencies, and capabilities for standing out instore and digitally
• At home activities
• Lead digital coupon planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Lead iBotta offer planning & creation for Walmart for Pasta Category
• Lead direct mailer planning with Kroger for Pasta Category
• Develop new tools, agencies, and capabilities for being more relevant at home
• Online activities
• Lead search ad planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Lead banner display ad planning & creation for Pasta Category
• Ensure that online content is accurate at all retailers
• Social/Digital Content Marketing
• When approved lead the planning and execution of all social/digital activities (i.e. lasagna or TakeHome)
• Measure and track performance of all marketing activities in the Pasta Category

Retail Channel Management (Prepared Meals Category)

Assortment Mix:

• •Manage product mix to ensure profitability and strong category velocities
• •Provide category mix insights and recommendations to sales team
• •Manage discontinuations

Margin Management:

• Constantly look for cost savings that will not impact product quality
• Investigate ways to improve pricing and lower customer margin requirements
• Provide demand planning, packaging procurement, and ingredient procurement with accurate forecast and help reduce waste cost

Competitive Analysis:

• Keep a pulse on competitor’s actions in store through IRI, 84.51, and other data sources
• Make leadership aware of new competitive products, pricing, or packaging changes
• Be proactive in proposing actions for velocity or distribution improvement

Continuous Improvement:

• Continuously uncover areas for product quality and communications improvements
• Develop new business processes to improve company efficiency and accuracy

Volume planning and achievement:

• Build annual volume budgets for the Pasta Category and new brands
• Monitor and deliver volume goals

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or closely related field is required, MBA Preferred
• 10+ years’ experience in ABM/Brand Management required
• Experience with Consumer-Packaged Goods industry required
• Strong analytical and intrapersonal skills
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES PREFERRED

• Collaborative with the ability to work independently
• High degree of self-motivation and discipline
• Strong time management, presentation, and communication skills (both written & verbal)
• Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals inside & outside the organization and maintain regular contact with all stakeholders