Search Strategist

Hormel Foods; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 82,800 - 133,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Hormel Foods Corporation is seeking a Search Strategist for the Corporate Office to lead digital advertising strategy and optimization across Chicago, Bedminster, and Austin locations. The role partners with Brand Marketing and Omnichannel Sales to drive traffic, conversions, and ROI.

The candidate will manage search marketing programs, leverage AI-driven bidding, and generate insightful performance narratives for leadership review. Relocation packages are available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, Analytics, or related field.
• Minimum 2+ years in digital marketing, search marketing, ecommerce, or retail media.
• Ability to manage projects independently with strong analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital marketing strategy, execution, optimization, and reporting for brands and ecommerce.
• Partner with Brand Marketing and Omnichannel Sales to align with AOPs.
• Translate goals into search, display, and retail media plans.
• Manage search marketing programs and display campaigns end-to-end.
• Develop testing plans and optimize campaigns for ROI.
• Monitor budgets, KPIs, and performance; adjust as needed.
• Provide guidance on advertising strategies and industry trends.

Skills

Digital marketing

Analytics

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

SEARCH STRATEGIST – CORPORATE OFFICE (CHICAGO, IL / BEDMINSTER, NJ / AUSTIN, MN) HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Partnership & Planning

• Lead digital marketing strategy, execution, optimization, and reporting for assigned brands, retailers, and ecommerce channels.
• Partner with Brand Marketing and Omnichannel Sales teams to understand business objectives and develop digital advertising programs that support Annual Operating Plans (AOPs).
• Translate business goals into actionable search, display, and retail media strategies that drive traffic, conversion, and sales growth.
• Recommend investment strategies and program enhancements based on performance data, market dynamics, and retailer opportunities.
• Participate in planning meetings and provide strategic guidance on digital advertising opportunities and risks.

Campaign Management & Optimization

• Fully manage search marketing programs and selected display advertising programs through approved digital advertising platforms.
• Build, launch, optimize, and maintain campaigns across retailer and search platforms.
• Conduct ongoing keyword discovery, audience targeting refinement, bid management, and campaign optimization.
• Leverage automation, artificial intelligence, and platform capabilities to improve campaign efficiency and performance.
• Develop and execute strategic testing plans, including keyword, audience, bidding, and creative experiments to maximize ROI.
• Monitor campaign pacing and performance against established budgets and KPIs, making proactive adjustments as needed.
• Ensure compliance with retailer advertising requirements and platform best practices.

Analytics & Reporting

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reporting for Brand Management, Omnichannel Sales, and eCommerce leadership.
• Analyze campaign performance and provide actionable insights, recommendations, and business implications.
• Develop performance narratives that connect advertising results to broader business objectives.
• Track and report key metrics including budget pacing, return on ad spend (ROAS), conversion performance, sales impact, and share-of-search trends.
• Identify opportunities for optimization and growth through data analysis and trend monitoring.

Subject Matter Expertise & Collaboration

• Serve as a subject matter expert in digital advertising strategy, retail media, search marketing, and related technologies.
• Provide guidance and recommendations to Brand Marketing and Omnichannel Sales teams regarding advertising strategies, platform capabilities, and emerging trends.
• Collaborate with content, analytics, and ecommerce teams to improve search visibility and advertising effectiveness.
• Research competitive advertising activity, retailer media trends, and marketplace developments to inform strategic recommendations.
• Share best practices and help advance digital advertising capabilities across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, Analytics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of relevant digital marketing, search marketing, ecommerce, retail media, or advertising experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects, prioritize workload, and execute with limited supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into business insights.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across multiple functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies, platforms, and business processes.
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Preferred

• Experience with retail media management platforms such as Skai, Pacvue, or Stackline.
• Experience with retailer advertising platforms such as Walmart Connect, Amazon Ads, Kroger Precision Marketing, Roundel, Criteo, CitrusAd, or similar platforms.
• Experience managing multiple brands within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
• Experience with paid search and display advertising platforms.
• Familiarity with automation, AI‑powered bidding strategies, and advertising optimization tools.
• Experience creating and presenting performance reporting to business stakeholders.

LOCATION:

Corporate Office, Chicago, IL / Bedminster, NJ / Austin, MN

A comprehensive relocation package to the above areas will be offered, if required.

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Search Strategist role is between $82,800 - $133,500 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job‑related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

BENEFITS:

Other components of Hormel Foods’ total compensation package includes comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two‑year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

10% of the time

For immediate consideration, apply online at: www.hormelfoods.com/careers

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/ Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.