Brand Manager Position summary: Responsible for the strategic development and tactical implementation of the Old Wisconsin brand’s marketing budget to deliver volume and profit objectives for the Wal-Mart, Retail and Channels divisions of our client and Company. This requires developing strong working relationships with all internal and external audiences as appropriate. This position also develops all marketing initiatives necessary to build the brand franchise with consumers and the trade.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new and innovative products, packaging, temporary and permanent displays for Wal-Mart, Retail and Channels divisions in conjunction with R&D and Sales and continuous improvements on current items.
• Lead on-going competitive product/brand review and analysis to drive new insights into the planning process for both short and long-term growth. Include secondary research in review process.
• Develop, recommend, and implement annual marketing plans, programs, and measures to support and grow the business.
• Contribute to effective category management strategy: partner with sales to deliver customer specific growth plans, promotional strategies, and marketing programs; compelling sales stories and tools that help deliver in-store growth initiatives; and new channel growth opportunities
• Analyze the business regularly for periodic updates, to include volume, distribution, and margin contribution analysis.
• Manage the needs of the business on a day–to-day basis which includes market visits with sales, and engagement in the industry and issues of the day.
• Build relationships with all external vendor partners, including management of advertising, promotion, and public relation agencies.
• Develop a working relationship with all internal departments and extend the leadership role of the marketing team across all functions.
• Be a team player within the marketing department by demonstrating leadership skills and communicating across all functions.
• Ensure packaging, product quality, displays and pricing integrity is maintained
• Nielsen monthly reporting/monitoring

Essential Functions

• Develop sales, advertising, and promotional materials such as brochures; sell sheets, POS, presentations, ad slicks.
• Develop and maintain the brand’s social/digital strategy to drive awareness of key promotions that will stimulate sales and distribution.
• Ensure invoices are submitted for payment and monitor budget spending and adjust if necessary.
• Partner with Marketing Team to promote synergy and to gain insight on corporate initiatives.
• Consistently direct and interact with agencies.
• Analyze product changes and approve or deny changes to preserve the quality by brand hierarchy level.
• Initiate roadmaps to gain approval for all R&D projects and new product development.
• Work with commercialization to keep operations informed of all initiatives.
• Gather and structure syndicated data to analyze and make strategic marketing decisions.
• Develop and monitor tracking systems to determine sales priorities.
• Communicate with sales and keep them updated on marketing initiatives.
• Develop and approve packaging design changes or new packaging needs.
• Direct market research to maintain integrity of results and ensure high ROI for research spends.
• Visit stores to monitor customer and competitive actions.
• Monitor industry news for competitive information and consumer trends
• Participate in weekly product cuttings, agency meetings and new product meetings.
• Participate in staff, project team and results meetings
• Assist in planning and attend the quarterly Sales Meetings and key trade shows.
• Approximately 20% travel required to Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Management of an Assistant Brand Manager (shared resource)

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

• Product innovation, project management and consumer insight experience
• Strategic thinking and the ability to design and execute marketing tactics
• Must have design capability and interpretation to direct market research.
• Written and verbal communication skills are critical to be able to effectively work with internal and external groups.
• 7 - 10 years of classical CPG marketing experience required with proven experience at the Marketing/Brand Manager level.
• Agency management experience and proficiency with P&Ls required.
• Experience with planning, design, and execution of: Digital Media, Social Media, on-pack programs, continuity programs and traditional Media (FSI’s, billboards, magazines, radio, and TV)
• Must have strong skills and experience with analyzing competitor’s pricing, position strategies, planning executing pricing
• Advance understanding of syndicated data required along with data analysis (A.C. Nielsen, IRI)
• Advance written, verbal and presentation skills required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years brand/marketing experience
• MBA (preferred)
• Food/Meat Experience (preferred)
• Experience working with the C-store Channel
• New product innovation (Retail and Channels)
• Passion for Food

Job Details

• Located in Homewood, IL
• Direct Hire
• $100,000-$135,000 (based on experience with a 15% target bonus)
• Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

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