Brand Manager

Responsibilities

• Set the strategy: Build annual and long-range brand, portfolio, channel, and go-to-market plans aligned with company growth and profit goals.
• Find the next big opportunity: Identify unmet consumer, operator, distributor, and customer needs and turn them into clear growth platforms.
• Lead innovation end to end: Drive new product and renovation initiatives from concept and validation through launch and post-launch optimization, starting with clear product briefs that define needs, cost, pricing, margin, and success measures.
• Deliver great food: Partner with R&D, Culinary, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to create finished goods that excel in taste, quality, ease of preparation, hold performance, food safety, and operator profitability.
• Win in every channel: Build strategies for roller grill, hot case, grab-and-go, vending, education, healthcare, and other foodservice occasions.
• Equip Sales to win: Develop differentiated positioning, value propositions, selling stories, and launch plans that gain distribution and drive velocity.
• Build the brand: Lead campaigns and marketing communications across traditional, trade, and digital media.
• Own the numbers: Manage marketing budgets and portfolio P&Ls, set KPIs, and lead quarterly business reviews using scan, shipment, and consumer data.
• Lead and influence: Guide cross-functional teams with clear owners and milestones, build the business case for change, and drive adoption of new strategies and processes.
• Stay ahead of the market: Track competitors, menu and flavor trends, channel economics, and industry shifts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, Culinary, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of brand management, innovation, product marketing, category management, or related experience in food manufacturing or foodservice.
• Proven experience developing food products and leading cross-functional commercialization from insight through launch and in-market optimization.
• Strong strategic thinking, with a track record of brand, portfolio, and go-to-market strategies that deliver profitable growth.
• Solid understanding of the foodservice value chain, including operator needs, distributor dynamics, customer margin expectations, and consumer value.
• Strong financial acumen across P&L management, pricing, budgets, product economics, and trade investment.
• Analytical, insight-driven mindset that turns data into clear business decisions.
• Proven change leadership and the ability to influence Sales, R&D, Operations, Finance, agencies, customers, and senior leadership.
• Excellent communication skills, including persuasive customer presentations and executive updates.
• An entrepreneurial spirit paired with the discipline to execute in a scaled manufacturing organization.

Preferred

• Experience in convenience stores, prepared food programs, distributors, restaurants, education, healthcare, vending, or other foodservice channels.
• Experience leading agencies, research partners, packaging development, and customer or operator research.
• A track record of measurable results through innovation, portfolio optimization, distribution gains, and improved profitability.

Benefits

• Health care coverage
• Life, accident and disability insurance
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement