Senior Brand Manager

Description: Senior Brand Manager (Hybrid)

About Us:

Join Hartz, where our love for pets drives everything we do. With over 95 years of commitment to pet care excellence, we are a trusted household name across the United States. Innovation is at the heart of our mission as we continuously strive to provide products that nurture the special bond between pets and their owners, ensuring they experience nothing but Unconditional Love.

As leaders in the pet care industry, we are dedicated to pioneering advancements that enhance the well-being of pets, leading to happier, healthier, and longer lives. Our success is fueled by the passion and dedication of our diverse team members, who bring their unique perspectives and talents to every aspect of our work.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive work environment where individuals from all backgrounds and identities are valued and empowered to thrive. At Hartz, your contributions matter, whether collaborating in the office or embracing the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. Together, we empower our employees and furry companions to make a meaningful impact within our company and beyond. Join us in shaping the future of pet care and experience the joy of making a difference, one pet at a time.

What We Offer …

• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in-office and 2 days remote)
• A casual and pet-friendly work environment. You can bring your pet to work!
• Up to 34 days of PTO a year (vacation, personal, wellness, sick, and company holidays)
• Paid parental leave and more
• Competitive compensation and 401(k) match with immediate vesting
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Life & Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement with learning and development opportunities
• Access to a range of perks, including a Mental Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pet bereavement, fun employee events, and more

The Role …

We are looking for an experienced and driven marketing professional to lead the development and execution of brand marketing and innovation/renovation plans for our Cat Treats category- the company’s fastest growing and category leader with #1 share. As such, this is a high-profile position, requiring strong leadership and marketing skills.

You will be expected to maintain the aggressive market share/sales and profit growth rate that the brand is achieving by focusing on developing and executing best in class innovation and consumer communication. Additionally, you will develop and manage the annual plan/budget, track and update sales/retail forecasts throughout the year to achieve P&L objectives. This is a nationally advertised brand with strong distribution across all major US retail mass/grocery and e-Commerce channels/key customers. This position offers a unique opportunity to grow penetration and shape the development of an entire category.

The ideal candidate will have experience in agency management in the development and execution of national advertising and media plans. This position is located at our Secaucus, NJ corporate headquarters, and has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule.

Your Responsibilities …

• Develop and execute the category’s 3-year growth plan including financial and market share targets, innovation, and marketing support strategy
• Partner with R&D to identify and develop new products, product improvements, packaging improvements, and line extensions – develop 3C/4P analysis and development
• Develop a deep understanding of the categories, consumer, and competitive activity and utilize internal, syndicated, primary and secondary sources to identify growth or maintain the current market share consistent with company portfolio strategy. Identify new ways to expand categories beyond current portfolio to achieve growth
• Determine consumer market research needs and work with the Insights team to collect appropriate and actionable research to gain insights, analyze results, and translate them into growth initiatives
• Understand categories/segment sales performance key drivers by month (POS based and internal shipments) and forecast accurately
• Grow categories' profit margin consistent with company portfolio strategy
• Set brand strategy, and develop and manage annual plans
• Actively manage the brand P&L and budget
• Support Customer Development team with insightful, clear, and impactful sales presentations to support new products and educate on category trends/consumer understanding. Continually and proactively identify and develop contingency plans and new opportunities to fill gaps to offset sales shortfall in order to achieve sales growth target. Understand channels and customer specific opportunities and issues
• Develop and deliver compelling sales presentations to field via SAPS, Annual Sales Meetings, and key customer calls as needed
• Maintain knowledge of key competitive activity, new products, product improvements, and market/channel trends within the categories to keep competitive. Maintain basic understanding of overall pet care/market trends shaping the industry
• Manage S.K.U. portfolio for the categories and inventory by working closely with cross functional team
• Develop plans to drive cost savings, and productivity, that will improve the category’s profit margin
• Develop the strategy and execution of consumer communication/promotional support plan, working with Hartz agency of record on 360-degree consumer activation
• Lead cross-functional project team to execute plans and provide direction on day to day management of business issues and opportunities
• Track and analyze the business results on an on-going basis and recommend corrections as needed
• Forecast volume and work through S&OP process in conjunction with Sales, Operations Planning and other teams as needed
• Maintain IRI database integrity
• Manage and develop Marketing Associates/Assistants/Coordinators

Requirements:

You’ll Need…

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing with a minimum of 4 years’ Brand Management experience in consumer-packaged goods or;
• MBA with a minimum of 4 years’ Brand Management experience in consumer-packaged goods
• Experience with Agency management in the development and execution of national advertising and media plan
• Working knowledge of IRI/Nielsen POS and Panel Data
• Experience managing P&L and conducting market research and analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Willingness and ability to travel (Domestic: 2-3 times a year, International: 1 time a year)

If this sounds like a good match and you want to learn more about this exciting role, please get in touch with us today!
Hartz is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other characteristic protected by law.