Brand & Innovation Manager

This range is provided by Icelandic Provisions. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $120,000/yr – $140,000/yr Company Overview Icelandic Provisions is an early-stage growth company that provides essential nutrition rooted in the Nordic Food Philosophy. The flagship product, dairy Skyr, is the only authentic Icelandic Skyr brand in the United States that uses heirloom Skyr cultures and the original recipe that is beloved across Iceland. The Nordic way of life is not only deeply rooted in the quality of the Icelandic Provisions’ products but runs deep in the organizational culture through the WÁOO (pronounced WOW!) values. When we are attracting talent to join our growing organization, a natural question we ask is whether the candidate brings the “wáoo” factor? We describe is as: W elcoming, Á mbitious, O ptimistic, and O n with the butter! With a strong consumer and business base to build on, we are looking for product-obsessed, passionate individuals who are energized about rapid growth and achievement and want to be a part of the happy, healthy cultural movement that we are leading. We believe in putting best-in-class products in the market and take pride in what we are building, “making everything count” along the way. Role Overview Icelandic Provisions is looking for a strategic, motivated and passionate brand-oriented Swiss army knife to help further grow our business through new formats and innovation platforms, bringing key projects to life from ideation through execution. This person would also double as the voice of the consumer for the brand, leading all key research activities for both base business and innovation efforts. We are a startup so it’s essential that this individual is comfortable with working in a dynamic, ever-changing work environment, and is highly collaborative in nature, as comfortable working in a silo as in highly cross-functional workstreams that require EQ and partnership with peers/organizational leaders. Job Responsibilities Act as the brand and innovation lead, taking key strategic initiatives/projects from consumer insights to positioning through to commercialization and in-market communications in collaboration with the product development department and broader cross functional team. This person will be key to driving material growth to the business in the coming years and bringing a range of exciting new IP items to shelf. Combine strategic/creative thinking & practical planning, and an ability to orchestrate and drive a cross functional team, manage agency partners, etc. to bring new items/platforms, as well as key brand renovations, to market and grow IP’s core business. Lead development of new item/platform strategy, positioning and POD to ensure IP is successful at market. Manage ongoing cross-functional workstream to hit key project and commercial milestones. Partner with agency partners (Design, Media Planning, etc.) and Comms team to ensure projects come to life grounded in the right strategic thinking and with the right level/types of marketing support. Develop and lead Brand & Innovation research and consumer insights workstreams, inclusive of focus groups, quant/qual studies, etc. with the support of organizational leaders and external partners (as needed). Support Sr Manager, Brand Strategy & Business Planning in communicating consumer insights and marketing support plans as part of sales collaboration. Own and manage Marketing & Innovation budgets. Qualifications Candidate must have strong understanding and experience in brand/CPG marketing and communications, as well as consumer insights, and a burning passion to breathe life into new projects. Experience in managing cross-functional and/or interdisciplinary projects with multiple, disparate stakeholders. Proven track record of uncovering and acting upon consumer insights through different research methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Strategy oriented with strong experience in crafting/ideating positioning statements, developing product/brand points of difference, etc. to drive success in market. Success in building marketing/comms strategies and implementing programs that drive awareness and trial. Has proven ability to develop creative, out-of-the-box ways to bring brands to life across the media and cultural landscape. Experience in managing agency/vendor partners ranging from packaging design to media planning. Strong organizational skills and comfort with basic financial forecasting to manage monthly/annual budgets. High comfort level in leading with soft power in a highly collaborative and cross functional environment. Strong ability to manage down and upstream – able to both get into the weeds with projects and ensure the fine details and workstreams are being completed, as well as remain grounded in the macro strategy and advise leadership of key obstacles/challenges. Can lead existing external partner relationships as well as forge new ones. Has a strong sense of entrepreneurialism and a proven ability to lead collaborative workstreams. Experience Minimum of 3 years of relevant marketing and strategy experience, ideally at a marketing/advertising agency with significant CPG client experience and/or a food/CPG company. Has passion for building new products/platforms and is able to manage in ambiguity, as well as quickly pivot as needed. Has passion for the natural foods industry and health + wellness. Approaches work with high integrity, strong IQ & EQ and accountability. A healthy fascination with Iceland is a plus. You’re an Ideal Candidate If... You are passionate about the brand and food landscape. You are a “Swiss Army Knife” of talents and are comfortable with the often fluid, changing environment of a startup. You ask lots of questions, actively seek the opinions of others and love working collaboratively. The unknown, the ill-defined or the uncharted does not phase you. You are looking for an incredibly collaborative work environment without a lot of hierarchy, you like empowerment and have a “roll up your sleeves” mentality. You are Welcoming, Ambitious and Optimistic. You are results oriented and have an “on with the butter” approach to your work. What Icelandic Provisions Offer Competitive salary in the range of $120,000 - $140,000, with pay being commensurate with skills and experience. Competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance and 401k matching. Exciting work environment in a small team and a great deal of autonomy. Flexibility to work remotely or in our New York City offices. Flexible paid time off allowing to manage your time as it works for you. Delicious Skyr available (for free) in the office. Seniority level Associate Employment type Full-time Job Function Marketing Industries Manufacturing Referrals can increase your chances of interviewing at Icelandic Provisions by 2x. #J-18808-Ljbffr