Associate Brand Manager

Tillamook County Creamery Association•Portland, OR

About The Position

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we Play to Win to create over 200 dairy products in 7 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese and frozen meals. Our Uncompromising Quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we’re not stopping there. We’re loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us. As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being Good Stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We’re looking for team members with a One Team and Genuine Care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day. What you will do: The Associate Brand Manager (ABM), will help define and execute strategies that drive growth for Tillamook for one or more of our six premium dairy categories Cheese, Ice Cream, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt and Sour Cream. The ABM is responsible for assisting in the strategic planning for their assigned category, managing the annual planning process, building a 3–5-year strategic vision to tactical project development. The ABM is responsible for managing innovation for their assigned category from inception to in-market execution. Driven by insights related to market insights, consumer insights, syndicated data, and competitive trends. The ABM is the expert on their assigned category, analyzing consumer data and insights to make business recommendations, and regularly report on those insights and data trends. The ABM is a results-oriented, cross functional leader with excellent communications skills to drive alignment of category initiatives to drive growth for the organization. Here’s a day in the life: Assists the Category Manager by helping define the assigned category strategy and executing the objectives to drive new products and categories to market. Assists the Category Manager to identify, define and execute category positioning, product offerings, merchandising recommendations, pricing approach, packaging improvements and new platform development. Develops and presents briefs for new products and packages. Provides inputs and recommendations for strategic planning for the annual operating plan and long-range plan. Assists in developing tools, resources and training programs that empower the sales team to effectively communicate the value proposition of new products, innovation, or strategies. Collaborates with Consumer & Market Insights team to conduct thorough market analysis and consumer research to identify trends, preferences and opportunities for growth Utilizes consumer insights to inform product development and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with consumer needs and pain points. Analyze competitor & category dynamics to inform business decisions and provide recommendations to the Category Manager and broader leadership team. Complete monthly reporting including sales and consumer data analysis, trend research, competitive profiling, distribution gap analysis and more. Develops and presents briefs for execution of packaging design and demand creation activities. Collaborates with various departments such as R&D, marketing, supply chain, and sales to ensure seamless execution of category initiatives and innovation projects. Lead product development projects, from conception to implementation, often in collaboration with a project manager, ensuring timelines, budgets and objectives are met. Know your category/segment P&L, and work with cross-functional partners to set product pricing, margins, and effectively manage variances to profit. Utilize MS Office applications, especially Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Requirements

3+ years of relevant experience in brand management, marketing, innovation or general management in consumer packaged goods
Strong understanding of financials and P&L Management
Experience with product launches
Experience in product improvement projects
Experience in developing professional presentations
Understanding of consumer research types and how it augments category narratives
Hands on experience in analyzing and deriving insights from scan and panel data (such as IRI, Nielsen)

Responsibilities

Assists the Category Manager by helping define the assigned category strategy and executing the objectives to drive new products and categories to market.
Assists the Category Manager to identify, define and execute category positioning, product offerings, merchandising recommendations, pricing approach, packaging improvements and new platform development.
Develops and presents briefs for new products and packages.
Provides inputs and recommendations for strategic planning for the annual operating plan and long-range plan.
Assists in developing tools, resources and training programs that empower the sales team to effectively communicate the value proposition of new products, innovation, or strategies.
Collaborates with Consumer & Market Insights team to conduct thorough market analysis and consumer research to identify trends, preferences and opportunities for growth
Utilizes consumer insights to inform product development and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with consumer needs and pain points.
Analyze competitor & category dynamics to inform business decisions and provide recommendations to the Category Manager and broader leadership team. Complete monthly reporting including sales and consumer data analysis, trend research, competitive profiling, distribution gap analysis and more.
Develops and presents briefs for execution of packaging design and demand creation activities.
Collaborates with various departments such as R&D, marketing, supply chain, and sales to ensure seamless execution of category initiatives and innovation projects.
Lead product development projects, from conception to implementation, often in collaboration with a project manager, ensuring timelines, budgets and objectives are met.
Know your category/segment P&L, and work with cross-functional partners to set product pricing, margins, and effectively manage variances to profit.
Utilize MS Office applications, especially Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint