Associate Brand Manager, Foodservice (12 month contract)

Lactalis Group; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 79,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Dental Benefits starting day

8% vacation pay

Learning and Development opportunities

Flexible hybrid work model

Job summary

Lactalis Canada seeks a motivated Associate Brand Manager to plan, manage, and execute marketing initiatives for our Foodservice sales teams. This 12-month term role collaborates with the Yogurt & Liquid brand teams on channel-specific campaigns and product renovations.

You will monitor market trends, support budget management, and partner with sales, R&D, and agencies to drive brand growth and execution excellence.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of brand management; CPG experience is preferred.
• Post secondary education in marketing or a related discipline; university degree preferred.
• Pro-actively anticipate problems
• Analytical skills with reporting accuracy
• Solid understanding of marketing and business fundamentals
• Ability to successfully execute multiple projects
• Proficient with Nielsen data
• Strong initiative and the ability to influence without authority
• Ability to work independently and function as a strong team player
• French speaking is an asset

Responsibilities

• Brand Equity/Strategy. Implement marketing/brand plans and lead with executional excellence all elements of the marketing mix with guidance from their manager.
• Analysis and Insights into Action. Monitor volume and profitability targets by tracking promotional activity and market data; provide recommendations.
• Communications/Media/Promotions. Build the brand through marketing plans, media support, consumer promotions, and in-store activity; lead marketing communication execution.
• Innovation/Renovation. Manage projects like reformulations, packaging changes, re-launches with cross-functional teams.
• Long Term Planning Involvement/Budget Management. Support the development of the Long Term Plan and manage marketing spend within budget.
• Cross-functional Leadership. Collaborate with internal and external partners for effective communication.
• Business Acumen/Management. Align in-store executions with growth targets; monitor results and adjust actions as needed.

Skills

Brand management

Analytical skills

French language (asset)

Education

Marketing degree or related

Tools

Nielsen data

Job description

About Us

Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey.

About Us

Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey.

Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!

Job Purpose

The Associate Brand Manager collaborates with the brand team (Yogurt & Liquid) to plan, manage, and execute marketing initiatives for our Foodservice sales teams.. Their responsibilities may range from ownership of low to mid-range (in terms of size/complexity) brands to ownership of specific components or initiatives of large brands, closely partnering with brand managers for effective execution. Please note this is a 12 month term position.

Responsibility

• Brand Equity/Strategy. Implement marketing/brand plans and lead with executional excellence all elements of the marketing mix with guidance from their manager.
• Analysis and Insights into Action. Proactively monitor the achievement of volume and profitability targets of the brand(s) by tracking competitive promotional activity, consumer and in-store promotion activity and issuing monthly reports of performance versus plan. This includes analysis of market, consumer, and financial data. Provide recommendations to maximize the growth opportunities and/or neutralize the threats by analyzing market trends, competitors, and retailer activity.
• Communications/Media/Promotions. Build the brand through execution and optimization of marketing plans including media support, consumer promotions, and in-store promotional activity. Lead execution of marketing communication activities in partnership with their manager to ensure effective consumer communication.
• Innovation/Renovation. Proactively manage and execute projects that contribute to both short and long term objectives, such as reformulations, packaging design/format changes and re-launches. Effectively lead cross-functional teams with strong project management to expedite throughout the commercialization process.
• Long Term Planning Involvement/Budget Management: Support the development of the Long Term Plan by providing data and analysis. Responsible for tracking and managing marketing spend within budget.
• Cross-functional Leadership. Cultivate strong working relationships with both internal (sales, R&D, operations etc.) and external (agency, research house, packaging designs/suppliers, etc.) partners to support effective communication and collaboration. Provide valuable insight and feedback to stakeholders as required.
• Business Acumen/Management. Collaborate with Sales functions to develop and validate in-store executions aligned with business growth targets. Continuously monitor and assess results versus target and implement action plans as required.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of brand management; CPG experience is preferred Post secondary education in marketing or a related discipline. University degree preferred.
• Pro-actively anticipate problems
• Analytical skills with reporting accuracy
• Solid understanding of marketing and business fundamentals
• Ability to successfully execute multiple projects
• Proficient with Nielsen data
• Strong initiative and the ability to influence without authority
• Ability to work independently and function as a strong team player
• French speaking is an asset

This job description is intended to summarize the overall level of responsibility of the job and is not an exhaustive list of all the duties performed.

Competency

• Care
• Dare
• Inspire
• Share

What Lactalis Will Offer

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following package for contract employees:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Retention Bonus of 15% to be paid out at the end of the contract
• 8% vacation pay
• Health & Dental Benefits starting day 1
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Potential for future full time permanent opportunities!

Our ESG Commitment

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our Commitment To DEI

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.

Le bilinguisme est requis puisque le poste exige des communications fréquentes avec nos partenaires, nos usines et notre siège social qui se situent hors Québec.

Bilingualism is required as the position involves frequent communications with our partners, our factories, and our headquarters located outside Quebec.

Compensation

As part of our commitment to fairness, trust, and transparency and our ambition to be an Employer of Choice, the base salary range for this position is:$78,600.00–$98,300.00 .Please note: Along with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, your actual base salary will be fair, competitive, and be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications.