Senior Brand Manager, Drink Mixes

Role Description

The Senior Brand Manager, Drink Mixes is responsible for the executional leadership, commercial performance, and day-to-day brand management of Jel Sert’s owned drink mixes portfolio - the company’s highest growth and most strategically important category. Reporting to the Director of Brand Strategy & Innovation, this role is accountable for translating brand strategy into winning brand plans, impactful marketing campaigns, disciplined product launches, and strong in-market execution informed by consumer and brand insights.

This role offers significant autonomy and accountability, with the opportunity to operate as a true brand owner within a highly collaborative business environment. The Senior Brand Manager is expected to bring creative thinking and a willingness to challenge the status quo, thoughtfully questioning legacy approaches and pushing for sharper ideas, stronger execution, and new ways to drive relevance and growth.

In addition to leading established brands, this role provides the opportunity to contribute to the development of future brand platforms and new brand opportunities as Jel Sert continues to evolve and expand its portfolio. Success requires a hands-on, high-ownership brand leader who balances creativity with rigor, makes sound decisions with confidence, and fully owns outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive brand management or marketing experience; consumer packaged goods experience required, with food and/or beverage experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated experience leading integrated marketing campaigns across digital, promotional, and advertising channels.
• Proven track record of managing product launches and go-to-market execution in collaboration with cross-functional partners.
• Experience managing brand or marketing budgets with accountability for spend effectiveness.
• Prior people management or direct supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience contributing to brand building beyond established portfolios i.e. new brand launches, line extensions, or portfolio expansion initiatives a strong plus.

Requirements

• Strong brand execution and brand management capabilities with high attention to detail and follow-through.
• Managing multiple complex brands with the ability to multi-task, organize, and prioritize tasks.
• Proven ability to lead integrated marketing campaigns across digital, promotional, and advertising channels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, coach, and develop junior brand talent with high EQ.
• Creative thinker with the confidence to challenge the status quo and push for better outcomes.
• Ability to balance bold ideas with commercial discipline and executional rigor.
• Interest in helping build and shape new brands and platforms, beyond established portfolios.
• Experience managing product launches in a cross-functional CPG environment.
• Strong visual and creative judgement, with experience in concepting, evaluating, and testing artwork.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and ROI evaluation.
• Ability to interpret consumer and brand insights and translate them into clear, actionable brand decisions.
• Comfortable operating with high autonomy and accountability as well as collaborating across functions in a team-based environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication for executive reporting, pitching plans, and stakeholder alignment.
• Results-driven leader who owns outcomes and raises standards.
• Flexibility to adapt to fast changing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with high level Excel skillset.
• Proficient in NIQ data, with exposure to Numerator a plus.
• Experience with project management software is a plus.

Benefits

• Minimum compensation for Senior Brand Manager, Drink Mixes is $151,350 per year.
• Compensation is determined by a candidate’s experience, education, skills, training, and the internal equity within our organization.
• Actual compensation to be paid will be determined upon an offer.
• Regular full-time corporate employees of Jel Sert are eligible for extensive benefits programs.

Work Environment/Location

• This position is a remote position with the requirement to come to headquarters for key meetings and events.
• Ideally, candidates will be based in the Chicagoland area; however, applications from qualified candidates in other locations will be considered.
• Travel for this role may range from 10% - 25% based upon one’s location.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time for computer/office work and/or travel (vehicle or airplane) – up to 6 hours.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects by touching skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Light work: Lifting up to 10 - 20 pounds as needed.
• Close visual acuity to perform computer work.

Impact on Jel Sert Success

This role plays a critical part in Jel Sert’s continued growth by ensuring the company’s most important strategic category remains relevant, competitive, and performance-driven. The Senior Brand Manager, Drink Mixes will have a direct and meaningful impact on how Jel Sert’s owned brands show up in market, win with consumers, and fuel the company’s broader success.