Brand Manager, Royal Dansk

About the Role

We have a current opening for a Brand Manager, Royal Dansk and are actively reviewing applications.

The Brand Manager for Royal Dansk will play a pivotal role in driving brand growth, consumer engagement, and market share within the Specialty Cookies Category. This role supports the development and execution of brand strategies, marketing campaigns, and new product initiatives that align with enterprise KPIs and consumer needs.

In this role, you will collaborate cross‑functionally with Sales/Trade Marketing, R&D, Finance, Packaging, Supply & Demand, Project Management, and other internal and external partners to bring brand plans to life across channels, leveraging consumer insights and market data to inform decisions. You’ll contribute to the commercialization of new products, support go‑to‑market initiatives and assist in the development of annual brand plans and long‑term strategies.

Additionally, you will help execute shopper marketing programs and point‑of‑sale strategies to drive conversion at shelf, manage marketing budgets, and support integrated communication plans. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, a passion for storytelling through data, a collaborative spirit, and a love for cookies!

This position reports to the Senior Brand Manager and is based in our Chicago, IL office on a hybrid schedule.

• Define and lead the brand’s strategic direction in the U.S., including 3–5 year roadmap, annual plans, positioning, target audience, and growth priorities aligned with enterprise and global brand objectives
• Own brand performance and P&L delivery, establishing KPIs, tracking results, and proactively identifying risks and opportunities to drive action plans
• Serve as the cross‑functional leader of the brand, aligning stakeholders across Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, Trade Marketing, and the Fine Biscuits Company (FBC) to deliver against business objectives
• Act as the primary U.S. liaison to global brand teams, ensuring alignment on strategy, priorities, and execution while representing local market needs
• Own U.S. portfolio strategy and execution, including SKU optimization, assortment decisions, and adaptation of global innovation to meet local market needs
• Translate consumer, customer, and market insights into clear strategic choices, identifying growth opportunities and informing key decisions
• Partner with Sales and Finance to optimize pricing, trade investment, and promotional strategy, driving profitable growth across customers
• Lead U.S. commercialization and market execution of global innovation, shaping go‑to‑market plans, positioning, and sell‑in strategy in partnership with FBC and key customers
• Develop and execute integrated marketing plans, including PR, social, digital, and shopper marketing to build brand equity and drive conversion
• Guide creative and campaign development across all touchpoints, ensuring consistency, distinctiveness, and alignment with global brand standards
• Lead business reviews and communicate performance and strategy to senior leadership and global stakeholders, driving alignment and informed decision‑making
• Manage the marketing budget and external partners, ensuring efficient resource allocation, high‑quality execution, and cost discipline
• Ensure operational excellence across brand systems, processes, and cross‑functional workflows, enabling effective execution in a matrixed, global organization

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field; MBA or master’s degree in business a plus
• 4‑7 years’ experience in consumer‑packaged goods (CPG) brand management
• Strong understanding of business and marketing fundamentals, including P&L management, market share, and pricing strategy
• Proven ability to leverage syndicated data tools (e.g., Circana/IRI, Nielsen) to generate insights and drive strategic recommendations
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with SAP or similar systems a plus
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience leading go‑to‑market execution, product launches, and/or…