String Instrument Brand Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Brand Manager should be adept at connecting strategy and artistry — combining sharp analytical skills with the ability to translate product knowledge into dealer support and brand messaging.

Brand Strategy & Stewardship

• P&L ownership, oversight, and engagement for overall brand success.
• Own the positioning, identity, and tone of voice for multiple brands across all B2B and B2C channels — shaping and maintaining compelling brand stories.
• Develop and implement market introduction plans, messaging, and brand launch, relaunch, and refresh initiatives.
• Champion brand visibility across markets and internal teams.
• Partner with Sales to support territory growth and assist in advancing or closing key opportunities.

Market & Dealer Engagement

• Actively participate in dealer visits, trainings, demos, and promotional efforts — both in person and virtually.
• Provide competitive insights, product positioning, and deal & promotional enabling tools.
• Identify high-potential dealer opportunities, drive growth, and help close business.
• Conduct ongoing research with educators, dealers, and end-users to inform strategy and messaging.
• Lead school bid processes, rental program strategies, and other education-market initiatives.
• Represent brands at trade shows, educator conferences, and dealer events.

Product Management

• Guide development and launch of new or revitalized product lines aligned with brand strategy, market positioning, and profitability goals.
• Audit product lines for gaps, overlap, and improvement opportunities.
• Establish product line structure, naming conventions, and positioning frameworks.
• Collaborate with internal luthiers, supply chain, and vendors as needed to maintain accurate specifications, pricing, and quality standards.
• Support refinement of existing offerings based on dealer feedback and market needs.
• Manage product lifecycle from SKU rationalization to new model introductions to ongoing assessment.
• Maintain internal systems and processes related to product and brand development, launches, and lifecycle updates.

Brand Operations

• Drive budget planning, margin targets, and pricing alignment, while supporting inventory forecasting for each brand.
• Manage SKU architecture processes, ensuring consistent structure, lifecycle timing, and clean internal system documentation across product lines.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Inventory teams on availability, demand planning, and vendor timelines to support sales opportunities.
• Collaborate with Marketing on brand-level initiatives, campaigns, and content that reflect accurate positioning and support revenue targets.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing
• 8-12 years of Experience: Product or brand management, strong organizational and communication skills, plus a background in strings performance or pedagogy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Travel up to 25%
• Base plus incentive