Associate Brand Manager, Lindor

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; Stratham (NH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt is seeking an Associate Brand Manager (Lindor) to grow the Lindor brand, develop brand-building plans, and lead initiatives including a large-scale Price/Pack Architecture project. You will partner with local and international teams to drive profitability and brand equity, and manage vendor and agency partners.

This hybrid role requires three days weekly in Stratham, NH or Boston, MA offices, with opportunities to influence market strategy and product development across the Lindt portfolio.

Qualifications

• Marketing strategy development and execution experience.
• Cross-functional collaboration across local and international teams.
• Strong brand management and portfolio planning understanding.

Responsibilities

• Develop, present, and execute consumer-relevant annual marketing plans.
• Leverage brand equity knowledge to strengthen sub-brand equities and packaging, media, and promotions.
• Drive product lifecycle management and portfolio profitability for Lindor in the USA.

Job description

Who We Are

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose

The Associate Brand Manager (Lindor) will help manage and grow the Lindor brand within Lindt. This position will be responsible for developing brand-building plans and executing projects and initiatives for Lindor and will have project responsibilities with a large scale Price/Pack Architecture initiative. The Associate Brand Manager will collaborate cross-functionally (locally and with international colleagues) to create brand relevancy with consumers, drive profitable growth and, develop and execute activities that build and support the brand equity. This person will also support in managing vendor and agency partners and all aspects of their projects.

This is a hybrid role that requires three days per week in our Stratham, NH or Boston, MA corporate office.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Marketing Strategy – Develop, present, and execute consumer-relevant, annual marketing plans with clear measures for success that contribute to sales, profit and brand health objectives.
• Marketing Strategy – Leverage working knowledge of consumer, category and brand and continually identify, develop, and execute business-building initiatives which deliver against the global brand strategy, and the company's business and marketing objectives.
• Marketing Strategy – Thoroughly understand Lindt brand equity and respective sub-brand equities. Develop brand plans and initiatives, such as traditional media, digital support, promotions, packaging and creative, which fully align and strengthen.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Responsible for managing an assigned portfolio to include SKU rationalization, mix strategies and profit optimization.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Responsible for heavily influencing portfolio P&L.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Evaluate product portfolio and the marketplace and make recommendations for new product launches and product improvements to ensure Lindt & Sprüngli's growth and brand equity in the marketplace.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Drive the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process for assigned brand(s); Secure and engage cross functional support to meet required deliverables in a timely manner.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Analyze market potentials on an ongoing basis for existing and new products and develop competitive concepts to ensure the long-term, profitable growth of Lindt (USA).
• Product/Portfolio Management – Analyze viability and profit/sales potential for new segments, markets, and consumers.
• Product/Portfolio Management – Develop and implement strategies and plans to maximize the profitability of assigned products / product categories while maintaining the high-quality standard.
• Critical Thinking/Research Analysis – Conduct routine analysis of the brand, key initiative, competition, category, customer and consumer. Synthesize key findings and indications which enhance brand and company performance on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Critical Thinking/Research Analysis – Lead and assist with insight gathering research that collects consumer and competitive knowledge that can be utilized to enhance and evolve the brand's recipe development, promotional acceptance and communication evolution, among others.
• Critical Thinking/Research Analysis – Thoroughly understand internal brand metrics, such as sales and profit, and actively contribute to sales projections and financial planning to drive the brand.
• Critical Thinking/Research Analysis – Garner channel specific insights and become to go-to person for applicable customers by leading monthly key account meetings.
• Cross Functional Support – Execute marketing communication plans via advertising and consumer promotions, including social media, PR, and consumer activations.
• Cross Functional Support – Communicate regularly with the Field Sales Force, and Customer Marketing to ensure that marketing programs are properly implemented.
• Cross Functional Support – Proactively communicate and collaborate with Field Sales to ensure meaningful integration and alignment in meeting the needs of th