Sr. Manager, Customer Marketing

Work Location

Chicago – in‑person attendance (3+ days per week) is essential for effective communication, supervision, real‑time problem‑solving, and cross‑functional initiatives.

The Sr. Manager, Customer Marketing will plan, develop and execute focused seasonal go‑to‑market plans that profitably grow sales across each channel of distribution. This role will lead cross‑functional work with sales, brand, category management, demand/sales planning, operations, and finance to ensure company objectives are achieved. The manager will help influence and inform seasonal go‑to‑market strategies and deploy essential marketing tactics (4‑P’s):

• Price/Product architecture – ensure the right product at the right price in the right size.
• Placement – optimize in‑store merchandising and communicate how our unique offerings create a compelling win‑win proposition for our customers.
• Promotion – deploy effective customer push (trade) and consumer pull (customer marketing) tactics.

This role is based at our corporate HQ in downtown Chicago and reports to the Director of Customer Marketing.

• Participate in the development, management, and implementation of seasonal marketing strategies, plans, and programs for assigned campaigns, promotions, and innovation to support business growth.
• Work closely with the Field Sales Team on selling each of the 4 seasons.
• Lead major business change activities with a focus on commercializing new seasonal products into the marketplace.
• Collaborate with and lead multiple internal cross‑functional groups (e.g., Marketing, Manufacturing, Finance, R&D, Procurement, Packaging Engineering).
• Develop and manage project timelines, success criteria, issues, risks, opportunities, and assumptions.
• Handle multiple initiatives simultaneously and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Investigate and problem‑solve key concerns associated with product development and margin enhancement projects.
• Engage with Marketing to provide insight into the complexity and cost associated with early‑stage initiatives.
• Manage customer marketing budgets and perform analysis to ensure investments provide acceptable ROI.
• Evaluate and recommend go/no‑go action based on the viability of a strategic initiative.
• Develop a deep understanding of local markets and consumers and apply that understanding to developing seasonal plans and strategies.
• Perform special projects as required.

• Results driven.
• Strong work ethic with a high sense of urgency, accountability, and initiative.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with an ownership mentality; strong planning and organization skills.
• Willingness to attack problems for immediate resolution.
• Effective verbal and written communicator across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to understand and articulate complicated concepts in clear, concise terms.
• Business acumen with strong analytical skills and demonstrated technical competence.
• Continuous improvement mindset with high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Commercial understanding of marketing, sales, and operational strategy, planning and budgetary issues.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• High proficiency in MS Excel and Office Suite.
• Functional SAP user is a plus.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of sales, marketing, or business experience, preferably in the CPG industry.
• Syndicated data experience (IRI, Nielsen, loyalty databases, customer specific, etc.), high competency in examining data, managing complex data sets and analytical problem‑solving.
• Relevant project management or consulting work is preferred.
• Experience and skill presenting concepts to multiple audiences, including senior leadership.

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-QR

The salary range for this role is $125,895 - $176,253 annually.