Associate Brand Manager

Nissin Foods; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Nissin Foods USA in Gardena, CA seeks an Associate Brand Manager to support marketing, innovation, and brand initiatives across the portfolio. This early-career role focuses on translating data into insights, assisting in development and execution of marketing plans with cross-functional teams, and driving projects toward business impact.

The ABM learns quickly, asks thoughtful questions, and takes ownership of workstreams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or related field preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in brand management.
• CPG experience preferred; food a plus.

Responsibilities

• Pull, analyze, and synthesize data to identify trends, drivers, and opportunities.
• Support tracking and reporting of brand performance, KPIs, and competitive activity.
• Assist in managing brand budgets, including invoice tracking and agency billing support.
• Partner with Finance to support brand P&Ls.
• Coordinate timelines and inputs for less complex projects.

Skills

Brand management experience

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business/Analytics

Job description

The Associate Brand Manager (ABM) is an early-career, high-impact role within the Marketing organization, reporting to the Marketing Director. This role supports the planning, execution, and analysis of marketing, innovation, and brand initiatives across the brand portfolio and/or assigned brands and sub-brands.

The ABM is a hands‑on problem solver with strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and a bias for action. This individual plays a critical role in translating data into insights, supporting innovation and renovation projects, and executing marketing plans in partnership with cross‑functional teams and agency partners. The ABM is expected to learn the business quickly, ask thoughtful questions, and proactively take ownership of workstreams.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced CPG environment, is eager to grow into full brand ownership over time, and is motivated by both analytics and creativity.

Responsibilities

Business & Financial Acumen

• Pull, analyze, and synthesize IRI and internal data to identify trends, drivers, and business opportunities.
• Support tracking and reporting of brand performance, KPIs, and competitive activity.
• Assist in managing brand budgets, including invoice tracking, agency billing support, and reconciliation.
• Partner with Finance to support brand P&Ls.
• Use data to help inform recommendations and support brand decisions.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving

• Develop a strong understanding of the category, brand strategy, and business drivers.
• Actively ask questions and seek to understand the “why” behind performance, consumer behavior, and business decisions.
• Help synthesize data, insights, and trends into clear takeaways and actionable implications.
• Support the Brand Manager/Brand Director in building plans, presentations, and recommendations for leadership.

Consumer Insights & Advocacy

• Analyze consumer, category, and brand data to help identify insights and opportunities.
• Support consumer research projects, including briefing vendors, managing timelines, and summarizing learnings.
• Maintain awareness of consumer trends, cultural moments, and competitive activity.
• Apply core marketing frameworks (positioning, benefit ladder, RTBs, purchase funnel) to brand work.

Innovation & Renovation Support

• Support innovation and renovation initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Assist in developing briefs for R&D, packaging, design, and agency partners.
• Help write concepts for consumer testing and support synthesis of results.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and cross‑functional inputs for less complex projects.
• Support development of sales materials, sell sheets, and launch toolkits.

Execution & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with cross‑functional teams including R&D, Packaging, Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to support project execution.
• Coordinate tactical execution of marketing plans, promotions, and communications.
• Support agency partners with briefing, feedback, and executional coordination.
• Overcommunicate progress, flag risks early, and ensure deliverables stay on track.
• Assists with monthly meeting preparations for new product process, Japan team monthly meetings, and other monthly requests.

Initiative & Learning Mindset

• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for assigned workstreams.
• Be proactive in identifying issues, proposing solutions, and driving tasks forward.
• Actively seek feedback and apply learnings to improve performance.
• Build foundational brand management skills with the goal of growth into a Brand Manager role.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or related field preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in brand management.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPG experience preferred; food a plus.

Pay Range

USD $77,000.00 - USD $103,000.00 /Yr.

About Us

OUR FOUNDER, MOMOFUKU ANDO

There is only one company that can rightfully claim the Pinnacle of Noodledom. Only one company whose founder, faced with a Japanese food shortage after WWII, invented instant ramen and sparked a 3-minute global revolution. Only one whose spirit of innovation continues to provide simple, nourishing delight to billions of people. Only one that has been loved around the world for more than 60 years. There is only one Nissin Foods.

NISSIN IN THE U.S.

On a trip to the U.S. in 1966, Mr. Ando noticed Americans curiously eating forkfuls of noodles out of cups, instead of using bowls and chopsticks. With that simple observation, the worldwide Cup Noodles® phenomenon was born. Shortly after, Nissin officially put down its roots in the U.S. In 1972, our Gardena, CA, plant started production of Top Ramen®—the first instant ramen manufactured and sold in the U.S. And ever since, Nissin Foods USA has launched a continuous stream of new and innovative products for hungry, noodle-loving Americans.

WHY NISSIN?

Nissin Foods celebrates diversity and inclusion both in our brands and how we do business. Why? Innovation is best driven by diverse perspectives, which create unique results. Respect, steady professional growth, and quality work make our team stronger. We welcome quality folks to join Team Nissin and fulfill our mission to “make people happy by creating delicious, convenient and value-oriented Asian-inspired meal solutions.” If you celebrate innovation and love noodles, you belong here!

Nissin Foods USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.