WHO WE ARE
At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.
Job Summary
WHO WE ARE
Established in San Francisco since 1852, Ghirardelli has spent generations perfecting the craft of premium chocolate. From responsible sourcing to time-honored roasting and processing techniques, we honor the tradition of our iconic brand as we innovate and grow the business. We are fueled by a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, and that same passion shapes our workplace, where people are genuinely welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow. If you’re excited to join our welcoming and vibrant team that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and delicious possibilities, you'll feel right at home with us.
The Senior Brand Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution plans for the assigned brand, as part of the long-term marketing strategy. The Brand Manager will collaborate cross-functionally to drive profitable, equity-building brand growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Portfolio Management
- Responsible for managing an assigned portfolio to hit revenue and profit targets, to include SKU rationalization, mix strategies and profit optimization.
- Develop product portfolio strategy and 3 Year Innovation Pipeline, exploring areas such as format, packaging, and recipe extensions and adjacencies.
- Lead the cross functional team in the new product development process.
- Lead the go-to-market process for product innovation, including marketing plans, selling tools, and forecasting volume and growth expectations.
Marketing Strategy & Execution
- Develop annual marketing plans for alignment with senior stakeholders. Present and defend plans to executive leadership.
- Develop, execute and evaluate marketing programs (advertising and consumer promotions) that are based on consumer, customer and competitive trends.
- Manage product portfolio budget, including preparing and tracking annual P&L.
- Lead delivery of clear and inspiring annual marketing plans to sales organization.
- Collaborate with customer marketing and sales to define and deliver customer specific programs.
- Manage the creative development process with internal teams and external agencies from briefing through critical feedback to execution
- Prepare and present annual business review for executive leadership.
- Attend sales calls and participate in selling at the customer level.
- Identify research needs to inform decision making and conduct research in collaboration with Insights Manager
Management & Leadership
- Provide business and team leadership in a fast-paced environment.
- Set individual and team objectives, plan project steps and resources needed, and manage execution.
- Train and develop direct reports for promotion and individual growth.
- Hire, develop and manage performance of team. Create an inclusive environment that embraces our values and purpose.
MINUMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- MBA Degree preferred + 5-7 years Brand Management experience
- Experience working in a leading Consumer Packaged Goods company
- Proven ability to develop and utilize all elements of the marketing mix to drive business in high growth environment.
- Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment, with a high degree of independence and resilience
- Strong analytical skills in using data to make sound recommendations affecting business decisions and results; ability to analyze and manipulate large data sets (e.g., IRI) and draw actionable conclusions.
- Proven track record of leading and influencing internal and external partners, including senior stakeholders.
- Budget management experience
- Excellent written communication skills and solid presentation skills
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience working with co-packing or co-manufacturing partners.
- Experience in new product development
- Experience working in an international corporate environment, a plus
Other Job Requirements
- Required to regularly sit
- Must be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hours
- Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail
- Works in a normal office environment
- Required to travel up to 10% of the time
Salary: $147,668-$175,00/year
Skills Required
- MBA degree
- 5-7 years of brand management experience
- Experience working in a leading consumer packaged goods company
- Experience developing and using the full marketing mix
- Ability to lead multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical skills and ability to analyze large data sets such as IRI
- Experience leading and influencing internal and external partners, including senior stakeholders
- Budget management experience
- Excellent written communication skills
- Strong presentation skills
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience working with co-packing or co-manufacturing partners
- Experience in new product development
- Experience in an international corporate environment
What We Do
The Lindt & Sprüngli Group - premium chocolate for more than 175 years Lindt & Sprüngli is recognized as a leader in the market for premium quality chocolate, offering a large selection of products in more than 120 countries around the world. During 175 years of Lindt & Sprüngli's existence, it has become known as one of the most innovative and creative companies making premium chocolate. The beginnings of Lindt & Sprüngli are in 1845, when father and son for the first time manufactured solid chocolate in their small confectionery Sprüngli & Son, at that time yet a partnership. Since then, the company has gone through many different eras, but the entrepreneurial spirit and passion for making chocolate that drove both the Sprüngli family as well as Rodolphe Lindt, when he invented the first truly melting chocolate and later on sold his business to Sprüngli, are still alive. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprüngli are made at 12 own production sites in Europe and the USA. They are distributed by 36 subsidiaries and branch offices, in more than 530 own stores, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. With more than 14,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.2 billion in 2023.
