Brand Manager - US Market Acceleration

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective:  

As the Brand Manager, you will play a critical role in understanding the market drivers, and developing strategies to accelerate business growth.    You will be responsible for collaborating with cross-functional teams to build and execute marketing programs that deliver against volume, revenue, and profit goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Business Analytics: (40%)
  • Manage day to day analytics to monitor performance, identify trends, build insights 
  • Proactively synthesize and provide actionable recommendations around pricing, promotions, distribution and products
  • Manage and track local marketing budget 
• Portfolio optimization: (30%)
  • Support the execution of portfolio initiatives including sku rationalization
  • Provide data-driven recommendations for PPA opportunities
• Sales Enablement (20%)
  • Lead the development of compelling selling tools and presentations to support sales in driving growth
  • Lead development of shopper strategies and plans with input from sales
• Brand Planning & Leadership: (10%)
  • Support the development of the annual marketing brand plans
  • Provide Household Pen and Market Share recommendations tied to growth
  • Responsible for marketing inputs into the demand forecast

• Other projects or duties as assigned

Who You Are: 

We’re looking for an analytical powerhouse and culture leader with a proven ability to synthesize data into actionable strategies to drive business outcomes.  The ideal candidate brings a passion for solving complex business problems and thrives in a high-growth environment where ambiguity and change are part of the journey.

This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, consumer insights, commercial-mindedness, and operational understanding to deliver results.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Strong business Acumen: Demonstrated experience analyzing business drivers into insight-driven actionable recommendations.    Self-starter with a high level of initiative and adaptability.

4Ps Marketer: Understanding of product, price, place, promotion levers to drive growth. Hands on experience driving portfolio analysis (including price pack architecture) and recommendations.

Critical Thinker: A proven solutions-driven problem-solver capable of navigating complex sometimes ambiguous situations to deliver high-impact solutions.  Ability to understand, anticipate and adapt to the needs of various stakeholders: consumers, retailers, internal and external partners.  Ability to thrive ‘in the gray’ and propose creative solutions.

Collaborative Operator: Adept at building strong relationships, working cross functionally and influencing stakeholders at all levels.  Strong leadership presence with a collaborative mindset.  

Mission-Aligned Innovator: Passionate about building brands with a purpose, committed to delivering positive impact via our brand’s growth.

Location & Travel: Based in Chicago, IL with the ability to travel periodically to Toronto (HQ) and customer meetings as needed.

Other skills:

• BA in Marketing or related business field (MBA an asset)
• Minimum 4+ years progressive experience in marketing in a CPG company, Brand Marketing experience preferred 
• Strong data analytics skills.  Experience with POS data (Spins/Nieslen/IRI) preferred
• Strong understanding of food industry in the US
• Excellent planning, organization and time management skills
• Intermediate level of skill for Microsoft Office 2007 Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook 
• Retailer-facing experience a plus
• Strategic thinker with superior communication and presentation skills 
• Open to learning, challenging us and being challenged.  Humility and positive attitude are key strengths.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.