Associate Brand Manager

Russell Stover Chocolates; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Associate Brand Manager, where your passion for chocolate meets your expertise in brand management. In this dynamic role, you will collaborate closely with the Sr Brand Manager to drive sustainable growth through innovative product strategies and keen market insights. Your analytical skills will shine as you interpret consumer data and market trends to optimize our product offerings. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a beloved brand that has been crafting happiness for over a century, all while working in a collaborative and inclusive environment that values your unique contributions.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of brand or product management experience in a CPG company.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data using IRI or Nielsen.

Responsibilities

• Analyze market and consumer data to enhance product portfolio.
• Develop product portfolio strategies and manage full portfolio P&L.

Skills

Data Analysis

Project Management

Consumer Insights

Presentation Skills

Time Management

Creative Evaluation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

IRI Data Analysis

Nielsen Data Analysis

Job description

At Russell Stover, we love chocolate and our jobs! We embody values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. As a leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates, we have crafted happiness for over 100 years through brands like Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s. Annually, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate, with our products available in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join us and help continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As the Associate Brand Manager, you will collaborate with the Sr Brand Manager to develop and manage a diverse range of products and projects from start to finish. Your role involves analyzing market and consumer data to enhance your portfolio, requiring strong project management skills to drive sustainable and profitable growth.

What You Will Be Doing…

1. Understand syndicated data reporting systems like Nielsen and/or IRI to provide strategic insights for our heritage brands.
2. Gather and analyze consumer data (Unify, IRI Panel Data, Shopper Sights, Consumer Studies, etc.) to support Marketing & Sales planning.
3. Monitor market and competitive trends, working with the Category Management team on retailer loyalty data to recommend actions for sales growth.
4. Develop product portfolio strategies including SKU rationalization, mix strategies, and profit optimization.
5. Manage the full portfolio P&L.
6. Assess the product portfolio and marketplace to recommend new product launches and improvements for growth and relevance.
7. Evaluate market potential for existing and new products, creating competitive concepts for long-term profitability.
8. Analyze viability and profit potential for new segments, markets, and consumer groups.
9. Develop and execute strategies to maximize profitability while maintaining quality standards.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data
• At least 2 years of brand or product management experience in a CPG company
• Experience with IRI or Nielsen data analysis
• Ability to manage ambiguity and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong creative evaluation skills and an eye for detail
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Self-starter with good time management skills to meet deadlines
• Commitment to continuous self-improvement in marketing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA

Our Commitment

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected status. Employment is contingent upon verification checks including I-9, background, and drug screening.

Make Happy. Work Happy.