Brand Manager, Innovation
Who are we?
Since Day 1, KIND has had a vision for a kinder and healthier world. A world in which people never have to choose between what tastes good, feels good, and does good when it comes to their snacking.
Our iconic KIND® bars – made with real, recognizable ingredients – sparked the growth of an entirely new healthy snacking category back in 2004. Now, KIND has a family of more than 80 snacks that offer solutions for a variety of occasions. All of KIND's products lead with a nutrient-dense first ingredient – like nuts or whole grains – and do not contain genetically engineered ingredients, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.
We’re looking for passionate collaborators to help us become the foremost leader in health & wellness and positively impact society along the way. If you’re looking to be a part of an inspiring, energetic and entrepreneurial environment, you’ve found the right place.
What you’ll do......
As the Brand Manager, Innovation you will be responsible for the development of strategic, consumer-based innovation initiatives in support of multiple product lines across the KIND portfolio, including bars, granola, and ice cream. This role has one direct report. The scope of this role includes, but is not limited to:
Innovation and Commercialization
- Bring a creative, strategic lens to innovation at KIND: develop differentiated, relevant, desirable, feasible, and profitable propositions within KIND’s priority platforms.
- Advance new items through stage gate process, from product conceptualization through to commercialization.
- For select product lines within the portfolio, identify opportunities, initiate, and deliver flavor and package extensions through the full stage gate process.
- Create forecasts for new launches based on market and historical data.
- Support inputs into key planning processes, such as monthly innovation sufficiency, annual growth plan, and AOP.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (Consumer Insights, New Product Development, Operations, Project Management, Quality, Manufacturing, Packaging, etc) to execute innovation projects with excellence.
- Partner with Trade, Demand Planning, Design, Branded Content, etc., to launch all innovation to planned vision, including development of compelling innovation selling stories.
KIND Frozen Management
- Assist in delivery of in-year brand strategy to drive volume, profit, and market share goals.
- Execute ongoing consumption reporting, translating data into compelling insights and strategies that drive growth.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver monthly forecasts and demand plan updates.
- Communicate business performance to senior leadership.
- Lead cross-functional innovation and commercialization efforts in partnership with R&D, Sales, Finance, Demand Planning, and Ops.
Innovation Performance Tracking & Planning
- Track & analyze innovation performance against KPIs, report performance to business, including analysis of drivers of success & failure.
- Monitor competitive landscape and execute monthly performance reporting. Use analysis to generate, evaluate, and act on strategic opportunities.
Cultivate a spirit of innovation among the marketing team. Experiment with new ways of identifying opportunities, developing ideas, and validating innovations.
What you’ll bring to KIND.....
- Excellent analytical skills
- Strong written & oral communication skills
- Experience working cross-functionally and influencing without authority
- Interest in innovation and the future of the snacking category
You are…
- A leader, who is able to inspire & motivate teammates, cross-functional colleagues, & external partners to deliver quality work.
- A driven-self starter, who holds yourself accountable to your commitments and results.
- A collaborator & team player, who enjoys working alongside others to complete projects.
- Genuine in your desire to help make the world a kinder place, committing to always spreading and celebrating kindness.
You have…
- 4-7 years of experience in brand marketing or related field
- A bachelor’s degree – marketing, business, or related field preferred
- Excellent analytical skills & experience in business performance data analysis
- Strong organizational & communication skills
- Ability to manage time & competing priorities
Pluses
- Experience managing a direct report
- Experience in CPG innovation commercialization and stage gate processes
Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $118,000 to $133,000. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.
What KIND offers
- 401(K) or RRSP's with generous company match
- Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours. Paid parental leave.
- Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs
- Company paid disability and life insurance to provide income protection
- Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing via programs like Employee Assistance Program, a wellness subsidy, healthy food options and gym facility in HQ.
- Casual office dress code– feel free to wear your KIND gear
- Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher
- Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development
- A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment
- Charitable Donation Matching: KIND matches your charitable donations up to $1000 annually through our donation matching portal.
EEO
At KIND, we are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. KIND is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require special accommodation, please let us know.
Privacy Policy
Mars and its family of brands is committed to transparency and responsibility in how we handle the personal data entrusted to us by our customers and consumers. To learn more about our privacy policy please follow this link.
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