Associate Brand Manager
HOMETOWN FOOD COMPANY
ASSOCIATE BRAND MANAGER—Breakfast and Natural Brands
Position Overview:
The Associate Brand Manager is responsible for implementing tactics that support the strategic direction of Hometown Food Company’s breakfast businesses, which include Hungry Jack and Funfetti Frozen Pancakes, Dry Mixes, and Syrup, and organic business, Arrowhead Mills. As part of the role, the Associate Brand Manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities that enable the growth plan for the brands in these categories. This role will assist with all marketing activities, procedures, controls, eCommerce and reporting and will report directly into the Brand Manager for Hometown Food Company’s Breakfast and Natural/Organic Categories. Key responsibilities include:
· Business Management – Responsible for driving the growth plan for the portfolio including resource allocation, forecast development (with cross functional input) and on-going adjustments, budget recommendation and management, financial delivery of total P&L, business analysis in context of competitive environment identifying root cause and driving recommended actions to address issues and capitalize on opportunities, and be a part of key customer interactions as face of the category.
· Innovation and Renovation – Support and develop innovation pipeline including identifying relevant consumer and macro-environment trends, implementing consumer research, building customer sell-in story, and partnering with R&D for commercialization. Recommend and implement product quality improvements based on quantitative insights.
· Digital and Social Engagement – Identify opportunities for strategic digital initiatives across paid and owned channels and develop content strategy with agency partners to manage social media platforms including influencer partnerships, associate marketing, and brand events.
· Analytical Support: Monitor and report on brand performance and make data driven recommendations to grow sales, market share, and brand awareness. Analyze data to identify insights that translate into business initiatives and/or actionable tasks to drive results. Work with sales to deliver compelling fact-based sales stories to drive category growth.
· Cross Functional Partnership and Leadership - You’ll be driving force across cross-functional activities (e.g., Supply Chain, Innovation, Renovation) to achieve financial deliverables and business objectives.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Required
- Bachelor’s degree, MBA is a plus.
- 1-2 years of relevant product marketing/brand management or agency experience
- Prior experience within CPG preferred
- Comfortable working with agencies to drive brand consideration, trust and conversion
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
- Financial/business acumen, ability to work with large data sets, and translate that information into actionable insights
- Analytical and creative thinking skills
- Prior experience with Nielsen, IRI, or SPINS is preferred
- Experience with Excel and PowerPoint
Personal Characteristics:
- Strong leadership presence, communication skills, and ability to influence
- Great attitude and drive: Ability to roll up sleeves and get things done
- Ability to thrive in and handle ambiguity & fast paced environment
- Passion for food and marketing
Bonus Points
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in startup and/or private equity backed company
- Proven skills in Shopper Marketing, Digital Marketing, Social Media
- Past experience developing and evaluating creative in the CPG space
- Food Marketing and Baking category experience a strong plus
Other
- Chicago Based: 500 West Madison Street 36th Floor
- Travel Requirement: As needed for customer visits, research, meetings with R&D and technical team in Toledo Plant.
