The Senior Brand Manager will play a key role in developing and executing marketing activities for product categories and brands at Puratos USA.  

Among other projects, they will lead the development of innovation, build insights and analytics-driven product strategies and execute annual business development plans. Responsibilities will include commercializing new products, developing compelling marketing campaigns and driving business development through engagement and support of internal and external stakeholders.  

This role requires the ability to transform data and insights into actionable business initiatives, lead cross-functional teams, excellent strategic thinking capabilities and the ability to manage and drive alignment with multiple stakeholders.  

Business accountability for the product categories  

• Spearhead development of annual operating plan, including sales targets for relevant categories in collaboration with the Product Manager, R&D team, channel leads and broader business development team  
• Own business reporting, with ability to analyze performance across categories, regions and channels and identify and share key business drivers  
• Track and triage product performance across key financial indicators and track success versus assigned KPIs  
• Lead business development teams to focus on product and category growth and execute corrective actions as needed.  
• Play an integral role in the annual strategic planning process, partnering with headquarters and global team to prioritize key initiatives and identify resources needed  
• May have leadership responsibility for 2-3 BUs and serve as the point person for customer meeting  

Manage and develop portfolio in line with business and category strategy:  

• Marshal development and execution of product innovation and renovation pipeline in line with customer needs and market opportunities.   
• Move projects through Stage Gate process independently, presenting timely and solid business cases based on data-driven insights. Strong ability to manage stakeholders and ensure alignment prior to Gate meeting. 
• Responsible for SKU analysis and management and continuous range optimization to ensure a winning portfolio 
• Establish track record of successful new product launches and ensure adoption/success through ongoing analysis and KPI tracking to ensure management of a product portfolio in line with category/brand strategy 
• Develop and manage Market Research and sensory activities in support of innovation projects
• May have leadership responsibility for 2-3 BUs and serve as the go-to product expert  
   

 Lead key category projects to grow revenue and invest for future growth: 

• Work with local Supply Chain/Operations team to ensure accuracy in forecasting/reporting and align production capabilities with growth plans, leading expansion projects where necessary 
• Serve as category Health & Wellbeing lead, driving thought leadership, portfolio management, strategy and activities 
• Leverage pricing tactics to drive volume and margin opportunities in collaboration with Pricing Manager and Product Manager Support or lead cross-category projects as needed to gain experience  

Become a go-to expert on category dynamics and the baking industry as a whole: 

• Collect, analyze and share relevant market insights and trends related to the category 
• Develop expertise in consumer and customer behavior/needs within the category 
• Develop competitive assessments for the category, identifying key players and developing offensive/defensive strategies to capture share  

 Drive activation tactics to deliver business growth: 

• Develop and execute communication plans in collaboration with Marketing Communications team. 
• Increase share of voice via thought leadership events and media campaigns. 
• Serve as brand/product ambassador and ensure adherence to global guardrails 
• Analyze and make recommendations for national promotion strategy
• Manage budget for category initiatives and adjust spend as needed to stay within allocation Lead category and business events independently and in partnership with events manager through content and planning   

Support Business Development activities: 

• Lead new product training (in person and virtual) to ensure awareness and understanding of range and positioning; reinforce brand equity/strategy to ensure consistency of messaging 
• Define target applications and customer segments for product range and develop sales tools for outreach 
• Develop and deliver insight/trend presentations and create customizable templates for use by field team 
• Accelerate CRM projects through ongoing communication with Sales, R&D and global counterparts and support sales with customer visits when appropriate Leadership of customer meetings with large and potentially high-profile customers across multiple channels (including preparation, collaboration with sales, and development of supporting materials)   

Be an active member of the Marketing Team: 

• Serve on project-based task force teams to advance corporate initiatives 
• Coordinate and support internal marketing activities, such as seminars, teambuilding, events and presentations 
• Serve as a leader in the Puratos international marketing community; support global initiatives, and exchange ideas and best practices with marketing colleagues around the world  

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:   

• BS degree in Business or Marketing degree; MS is preferred  
• 5 years of experience in marketing for an established CPG company, or relevant industry is preferred  
• Exceptional leadership skills  
• Superior strategic thinking, planning and project management skills  
• Overall business knowledge and holistic general management approach  
• Outstanding analytical skills; comfortable using quantitative and qualitative data to drive decision-making  
• Balances creativity with planning and discipline in fast moving, ambiguous environments; able to drive projects autonomously with excellent follow-through  
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills  
• Collaborative, hands-on team player – able to develop strategy and execute the details  
• Proven ability to build influence, advocates and navigate a complex matrix environment with cross-functional teams  
• Business maturity and professional acumen  
• Travel: up to 30% of the time depending on business needs  

Looking for a Career for Good?  

Puratos is a global purpose-driven company focused on bringing people together through food innovation for good. We offer a full range of innovative food ingredients and services for the bakery, patisserie, and chocolate sectors, serving artisans, retailers, industrial and food service companies in over 100 countries around the world. Our passion for innovation, pioneering spirit, and core values continue to propel our global ambitions. This coupled with our commitment to our communities is what makes working at Puratos so magical.   

We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package, designed to promote a Happier, Healthier You.  This includes:  

Insurance coverage beginning the first of the month—no extra waiting period to get started  

Immediate 401(k) eligibility including a fully vested matching contribution  

Receive over 5 weeks total of paid time off within your first year of service  

Free life coaches, convenient onsite health exams, 24/7 access to Registered Nurses  

Puratos-paid insurance coverage to protect you and your family including Life and Disability insurance  

If you are a solution oriented and analytical thinker with a passion for leading and inspiring people, we invite you to experience the magic of being yourself and join us for “a career for good.”  

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