Brand Manager

Our Brand Manager will support the development and execution of short- and long-term marketing initiatives in the filled pasta category, including new item development, planning and execution, retail channel management, innovation, and brand activation. This role operates in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment, where success is driven by strong execution, cross-functional partnership, and the ability to influence stakeholders within a centralized decision-making structure.

• New Item Development:
  • Create R&D briefs including product design, pricing and packaging
  • Create volume forecast for all new item projects
  • Coordinate & facilitate bi-weekly new item meeting for Retail
  • Work with cross functional team to bring new items to market
    • Support new item development of new US & Canada pasta line extensions
    • Support the expansion into new pasta categories/formats and brands
  • 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 Design 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
• 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
    • Identify & support the development of 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 Take Home)
    • Measure and track performance of all marketing activities in the Pasta Category
• Retail Channel Management
  • 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

• Bachelor’s…