Brand Manager Innovation

Location: Hybrid – Parsippany, NJ (2 days onsite required; remaining days remote)

Schedule: 40 hours/week

Contract: Through August

Our client is a global, premium consumer packaged goods company best known for its iconic confectionery brands and commitment to innovation. With exciting growth plans underway, they are seeking a Brand Manager – Innovation to support the launch of a flagship, Tier 1 product innovation that will expand an established brand into an entirely new product category in the U.S. market.

This role will play a critical part in shaping and executing the short- and long-term innovation pipeline, delivering a best-in-class launch strategy, and ensuring seamless cross-functional execution. You’ll work closely with senior leadership and agency partners to bring a highly visible innovation to life.

• Support and manage the marketing execution for the launch of a major new product innovation entering a new category
• Lead market, competitive, and brand analysis to continuously refine launch strategy in a fast-paced, premium CPG environment
• Develop brand growth activation strategies informed by consumer insights, category trends, and channel dynamics
• Deliver clear, persuasive presentations to cross-functional and senior stakeholders
• Lead commercialization efforts in partnership with Design, Category Management, Trade Marketing, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, and Legal
• Oversee graphics development and creative asset readiness in collaboration with internal teams and external agencies
• Manage qualitative and quantitative consumer research from briefing through insight generation and recommendation
• Develop compelling sell-in stories, toolkits, and customer-facing materials to drive acceptance of innovation
• Coordinate vendor onboarding, purchase orders, MSAs, SOWs, and insertion orders
• Partner with data, sales, and omni-channel teams to ensure products are fully set up for tracking and e-commerce prior to launch (UPCs, imagery, nutritionals, content, etc.)

• Lead agency partners across creative, media, shopper, e-commerce, PR/social, and influencer to execute cohesive brand and shopper activations
• Ensure consistent brand messaging and trademark integrity across all consumer touchpoints
• Support volume forecasting, budget planning, and ongoing tracking in partnership with the Marketing Director

• Act as day-to-day PMO lead for cross-functional teams, driving alignment, accountability, and momentum
• Manage project timelines, lead recurring meetings, and ensure execution against launch milestones
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple high-profile initiatives simultaneously

• 5+ years of experience in CPG brand marketing
  , preferably within food or confectionery
• Proven experience launching new products or major innovations
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience using syndicated data (e.g., IRI, Nielsen) to inform strategy
• Excellent project management skills from planning through execution and post-launch assessment
• Experience managing budgets, forecasts, and multiple agency partners
• Understanding of food, drug, mass, club, and e-commerce channels
• Exposure to P&L management, global marketing, and digital/agency environments is a plus

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field required

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an iconic brand by launching a transformational innovation with significant visibility and impact. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, influence strategy, and see your work come to life on shelves nationwide.