VP Marketing, Distinctive Brands

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Company Description Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world.

The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

About the Role As the VP of Distinctive Brands, you will lead the strategic growth and positioning of iconic brands like Mother’s, Famous Amos, Murray, and Royal Dansk. You’ll shape the brand vision, drive innovation, and champion marketing strategies that resonate with consumers and deliver results. In this role, you’ll own the portfolio strategy, guide cross‑functional teams, and influence key investment decisions to unlock long‑term value.

You’ll also inspire and develop a high‑performing team, ensuring alignment with company values while fostering creativity, collaboration, and excellence across all touchpoints. This position is Hybrid and will be based out of the Ferrero commercial offices in Chicago, IL.

Main Responsibilities

Brand Strategy & Marketing Leadership

• Develop and execute the strategic vision, ambition, and growth roadmap for Distinctive Brands including Mother’s, Famous Amos, Murray, Royal Dansk, and seasonal portfolios.
• Lead the creation and implementation of PS1 and PS3 marketing plans, aligning with regional and global leadership.
• Drive e‑commerce initiatives and strategic planning processes for North America.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Innovation, Finance, Operations) to build business cases for new product launches and proximity innovation.

Product Innovation & Portfolio Development

• Champion proximity innovation and renovation efforts, including recipe development, industrial feasibility, and P&L impact.
• Influence cross‑functional teams (R&D, Quality, Plant, Finance, Packaging) to support local R&D needs and lab capabilities.
• Define brand portfolio strategy and product mix across channels for everyday and seasonal offerings.
• Maximize portfolio synergies and efficiencies to support a unified biscuits strategy and go‑to‑market execution.

Commercial Strategy & Performance Management

• Lead snack category initiatives to optimize point‑of‑sale visibility and promotional impact (e.g., multi‑brand displays, cross‑category tentpoles).
• Oversee brand performance and day‑to‑day execution of brand plans in close alignment with Sales.
• Own brand P&Ls, including A&P budgets, gross margin monitoring, and pricing strategies.
• Recommend actions to improve profitability through pricing optimization and cost‑saving initiatives (e.g., F4G activities).

Integrated Marketing Communications & Media

• Translate consumer insights and market dynamics into actionable brand growth strategies through research and data analysis.
• Lead creative development for integrated marketing campaigns across TV, digital, social media, and PR.
• Manage external agencies (creative, media, PR) to ensure consistent brand messaging and campaign execution.
• Develop limited‑time offers (LTOs), brand partnerships, and seasonal tentpole activations aligned with brand equity.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and inspire a high‑performing marketing team aligned with company values and strategic goals.
• Recruit, coach, and develop talent to foster a culture of empowerment, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure professional development through performance evaluations and tailored growth initiatives.

Who we are looking for

• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in brand marketing within the consumer‑packaged goods (CPG) industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven ability to translate syndicated data into actionable insights and strategic decisions.
• Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and business objectives.
• St…