Senior Brand Manager

Job Description

**THIS IS NOT A JOB WITH FORCEBRANDS**

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*CANDIDATES MUST HAVE FOOD OR BEVERAGE IN-HOUSE BRAND EXPERIENCE*

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Senior Brand Manager, Beverage Portfolio

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Location: Remote with travel or hybrid in Chicago

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Travel: Approximately 10%–25%

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Employment Type: Full-Time

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Base Salary: $150,000–$175,000

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Bonus: 15% target annual bonus

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About the Opportunity

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A well-established, privately owned consumer packaged goods company is seeking a Senior Brand Manager to lead a high-growth beverage portfolio.

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This individual will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, commercial performance, and continued development of a strategically important group of brands. The role will translate broader business and brand strategies into annual plans, integrated marketing programs, innovation initiatives, product launches, and strong in-market execution.

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This is a highly visible opportunity for a hands-on brand leader who enjoys building businesses, identifying whitespace, challenging legacy thinking, and working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

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The ideal candidate will combine strong classical brand management experience with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to operate effectively in a lean, fast-moving environment.

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Key Responsibilities

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Brand Management and Commercial Leadership

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• Lead the day-to-day management of a multi-brand beverage portfolio.

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• Translate brand and portfolio strategies into clear annual plans, priorities, initiatives, and execution roadmaps.

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• Monitor business and brand performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.

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• Use consumer, customer, category, and competitive insights to guide brand decisions and growth strategies.

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• Challenge existing assumptions and identify new opportunities to improve brand relevance, consumer engagement, and commercial performance.

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• Operate with a high level of autonomy, accountability, and ownership for results.

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Marketing and Brand Activation

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• Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social, retail, promotional, shopper, and advertising channels.

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• Manage the creative development process from agency briefing through launch, optimization, and post-campaign evaluation.

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• Ensure marketing programs are modern, culturally relevant, and consistent with overall brand positioning and standards.

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• Partner with internal teams and external agencies to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.

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• Evaluate campaign performance and use results to improve future marketing activity.

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Innovation and Product Launches

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• Lead brand-level execution for new products, renovations, line extensions, and other innovation initiatives.

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• Manage go-to-market planning, including positioning, claims, packaging input, launch calendars, communication plans, and sales support.

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• Partner closely with Innovation, R&D, Sales, Operations, Finance, Quality, Legal, Insights, and other cross-functional teams.

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• Ensure launches are commercially viable, operationally executable, and supported across the organization.

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• Lead post-launch reviews and apply key learnings to future innovation and commercialization efforts.

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• Contribute to the development of future brand platforms and emerging portfolio opportunities.

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Budget and Financial Management

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• Own and manage the brand marketing budget, including annual planning, tracking, forecasting, and optimization.

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• Allocate spending across campaigns, promotions, agencies, and brand initiatives to maximize effectiveness and return on investment.

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• Partner with Finance and commercial teams to align brand plans with broader business objectives.

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• Use financial, consumer, and market data to support recommendations and investment decisions.

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People and Cross-Functional Leadership

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• Manage, coach, and develop junior brand talent as the team continues to grow.

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• Establish clear priorities, success measures, and performance expectations.

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• Provide ongoing feedback and support professional development.

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• Influence effectively across departments and build strong relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.

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• Improve processes and ways of working to increase speed, alignment, and executional quality.

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Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related discipline required.

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• MBA or advanced degree is a plus but not required.

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• Minimum of seven years of progressive brand management or marketing experience within consumer packaged goods.

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• Food, beverage, snack, wellness, or another closely related consumer category strongly preferred.

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• Demonstrated experience owning a brand, portfolio, P&L, or significant marketing budget.

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• Proven success leading new product development, innovation, and end-to-end product launches.

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• Strong experience developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns across digital, retail, promotional, social, and advertising channels.

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• Experience managing external agencies and internal creative resources.

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• Strong financial acumen, including budget management, forecasting, performance measurement, and ROI evaluation.

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• Experience interpreting consumer, category, and brand insights and translating them into actionable strategies.

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• Previous people management, coaching, or team development experience preferred.

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• Experience with syndicated data platforms such as NIQ or comparable tools preferred.

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• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

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• Experience with project management systems is a plus.

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Ideal Leadership Profile

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• A true brand builder who is energized by growth, innovation, and transformation.

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• Consumer obsessed and highly curious about changing behaviors, cultural trends, and purchasing decisions.

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• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and comfortable working in a lean organization.

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• Equally capable of developing strategy and managing detailed execution.

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• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and creating structure where it does not yet exist.

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• Willing to challenge the status quo while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.

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• Highly accountable, results oriented, and confident making decisions.

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• Collaborative, low ego, and willing to work across levels and functions.

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• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate recommendations clearly and influence senior stakeholders.

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• Motivated by the opportunity to build brands, develop talent, and contribute to the long-term growth of the organization.

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Work Environment

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This is a remote position with periodic travel to the company’s Midwest headquarters for key meetings, product development sessions, business reviews, sales meetings, and company events.

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Candidates located in the Chicagoland area are preferred; however, qualified candidates from other locations will be considered.

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Depending on location and business needs, travel is expected to range from approximately 10%–25%.

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Compensation and Benefits

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The anticipated base salary range for this position is approximately $151,000–$175,000, depending on experience, education, skills, and internal equity.

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The position is also eligible for a 15% target annual bonus.

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The company offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and paid-time-off programs. Additional benefit details will be provided during the interview process.

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Equal Opportunity Statement

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The company is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.