Our Associate or Senior Associate Brand/Product Manager role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) brand/product management who also aspires to lead and own lines of business within a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. This role requires strong attention to detail. It is also highly collaborative both within the Marketing team as well as key stakeholders across Sales, R&D, Finance and Operations. Based on performance and career progression, this role presents significant opportunities for growth within Russell Stover, and also opens up possibilities within Lindt & Sprüngli worldwide.

Core responsibilities of this role include:

Product/Portfolio Management

• Responsible for managing an assigned portfolio to include SKU rationalization, mix strategies and profit optimization.
• Manage new product development from ideation and concept to launch working with Sales, Finance, R&D, Operations, Engineering and Creative. Secure and engage cross functional support to meet required deliverables in a timely manner.
• Responsible for meeting the seasonal occasion P&L
• Evaluate product portfolio and the marketplace and make recommendations for new product launches and product improvements to ensure occasion growth and relevance in the marketplace.
• Analyze viability and profit/sales potential for new segments, markets, and consumers.

Additional responsibilities may include:

Customer Marketing Support

• Communicate regularly with the Sales Directors and Field Sales Force to ensure that marketing programs are properly implemented.
• Attend sales calls and actively participate in selling at the customer level.

Research and Analytics

• Lead or conduct routine analysis of the occasion(s), competition, category, customer and consumer. Synthesize key findings and indications which enhance portfolio performance.
• Lead and assist with insight gathering research that collects consumer and competitive knowledge that can be utilized to enhance and evolve product development, customer acceptance and promotional support.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of internal metrics, such as sales, profit, stage gate timing and manufacturing capabilities.

TO BE CONSIDERED AN APPLICANT FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SHOW HOW YOU MEET THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE REQUIREMENTS

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data
• Experience leading cross-functional teams
• Project management experience
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business; MBA preferred
• 3+ years relevant work experience in marketing or brand management, preferably in CPG or other consumer-focused brand
• Experience working with IRI or Nielsen
• Able to effectively manage ambiguity and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Working knowledge of financial planning
• Strong leadership and consistent collaboration across multi-functional and customer teams is critical to driving engagement in and alignment to strategies and executions
• Strong creative skills to properly evaluate; an eye for creative
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills
• Self-starter, able to act with agility and time management skills to accomplish tasks and meet projects deadlines

Russell Stover Chocolates is the nation’s leading manufacturer of boxed chocolates. The company’s three brands – Russell Stover, Whitman’s and Pangburn’s - account for more than 60 percent of all boxed chocolate sales in the United States through 30+ company-owned retail stores and 70,000 wholesale accounts. After nearly 100 years in operation the company manufactures approximately 100 million pounds of chocolate candies each year in its proud tradition of being “Made in America” and “Handcrafted in Small Batches”.

In September 2014, Russell Stover Chocolates was acquired by Lindt and Sprungli, the world leader in premium chocolates. This was the largest acquisition in the history of Lindt and Sprungli which has operations in over 40 countries across the globe. Russell Stover Chocolates joins sister companies Lindt USA and Ghirardelli to form a powerful confectionery triad in North America.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Russell Stover Chocolates is an EOE/MINORITY/FEMALE/VET/DISABLED employer. Principals only please.