Position Summary:
The Associate Brand Manager - Innovation at TH Foods will play a crucial role in managing innovation projects across multiple business segments, including Branded Retail, Branded Club, Bulk, and Private Label. This position will support the execution of the 3-year innovation calendar, assist with P&L development, and ensure the full commercialization of innovation initiatives, including packaging design. Additionally, the Associate Brand Manager will conduct consumer research using our proprietary Snacksters Community Panel and manage innovation project data within Salesforce to aid leadership in making informed resourcing decisions. This role will support the development of trend reports for the Bulk and Private Label businesses.
Essential Duties and Requirements
- Innovation Project Management (B2B and B2C):
- Collaborate with the Senior Marketing Manager - Innovation Lead to drive innovation projects across Branded Retail, Branded Club, Bulk, and Private Label segments.
- Maintain and update the 3-year innovation calendar, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and timely execution of key milestones.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Operations, Sales, and Marketing, to ensure seamless project execution and commercialization.
- Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned.
- Oversee the packaging design process, working closely with external designers and internal teams to ensure designs meet brand standards and project requirements.
- P&L Development:
- Assist in the creation and management of P&L statements for innovation projects, ensuring financial viability and alignment with business objectives.
- Work with Finance and other relevant departments to develop accurate cost estimates and pricing strategies.
- Monitor project budgets and financial performance, identifying and addressing any variances or issues.
- Consumer Research:
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative consumer research using the "Snacksters Community Panel" to gather insights on consumer preferences, needs, and trends.
- Analyze research data to identify key insights and opportunities for innovation.
- Present research findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders to inform product development and marketing strategies.
- Data Management:
- Utilize Salesforce to manage and track innovation project data, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information.
- Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to provide visibility into project status, progress, and performance.
- Leverage data analytics to provide insights and recommendations to leadership for informed decision-making.
- Trend Reporting:
- Monitor industry trends, market dynamics, and consumer behavior to identify new opportunities for innovation.
- Compile and analyze trend data to develop comprehensive trend reports that inform product development and marketing strategies.
- Present trend reports to internal stakeholders, highlighting key findings and strategic recommendations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Build strong working relationships with cross-functional teams to facilitate effective collaboration and communication.
- Act as a liaison between Marketing, R&D, Operations, Sales, Supply Chain and other departments to ensure alignment and support for innovation initiatives.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings and project reviews, providing updates and insights on innovation projects.
- Commercialization Support:
- Assist in the commercialization process for new products, ensuring all aspects of product launch are executed flawlessly.
- Coordinate with cross-functional team to ensure products are manufactured to specifications and delivered on time.
- Support the development of marketing and sales materials for new product launches, including packaging, sales presentations, and promotional materials.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Identify and implement best practices for our innovation project management and commercialization process (ICR).
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the innovation function.
- Stay current with industry trends and best practices to ensure TH Foods remains at the forefront of innovation in the snack food industry.
- Other:
- Help develop and/or update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when necessary
- Develop/maintain close working relationships with the Sales Department, Finance Department, Customer Service, and R&D Technical Services
- Conduct all business transactions in a manner that upholds the high ethical standards of the Corporation
- Responsible for reporting food safety or personal safety items or concerns
- All other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities
While this position has no direct supervisory responsibility, it is a key role on the Marketing team and plays a critical role in the success of TH Foods.
Requirements
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Skills:
- Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Marketing or other related fields required.
- Master of Business Administration is a plus.
- Demonstrated project management & leadership skills
- Demonstrated business acumen leading to progressively more responsibility and a track record of success
- Proficient in Microsoft Office software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Positive “can do” attitude a must
- Team player
- Able to work with minimal supervision
- Capable of prioritizing workload to maximize customer satisfaction
- Strong, general reasoning and analytical skills
- Ability to function in a highly paced environment
- Ability to work on deadlines to meet goals and adapt to schedule changes
- High level of personal, work and professional ethnics
- Should be able to work independently or in a team environment with creativity and a passion for food
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
Work Environment
Works individually and must be a self-starter able to work with minimal supervision. Good business judgment and flexibility will be required to keep up with the constantly changing needs of customers and brokers. This requires some travel (<20%). Will need excellent administrative and communicative skills to keep projects on track at the office, working remotely, or when traveling. This position requires occasional weekend work and regular workdays in excess of eight hours per day. Occasional lifting, bending, and carrying will be required due to shows and sample transport. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
