Associate Brand Manager

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

As the Associate Brand Manager, you will work with the Sr Brand Manager to develop & manage a broad variety of products & projects from beginning to end. You will also pull and analyze market and consumer panel data and use that data to enhance product offerings within their assigned portfolio. You should have strong project management skills in order to constantly update and steer your portfolio of products towards sustainable and profitable long-term growth.

What you will be doing...

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership: Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, finance, operations/supply chain, external agencies, and marketing to deliver brand-led initiatives. Contribute to building a culture of brand growth and commercial rigor across the broader organization. Partner closely with senior stakeholders to align on priorities and drive execution of key initiatives.

Analysis & Insights: Leverage syndicated data tools (Nielsen, IRI, Unify, Shopper Sights, IRI Panel Data, etc.), consumer studies, and competitive intelligence to uncover insights that identify opportunities and risks for the business. Partner with Category Management on retailer loyalty data to analyze market and competitive trends, then translate findings into clear recommendations to achieve annual sales and profitability objectives. Catalog and apply relevant consumer and category learnings to inform the Marketing & Sales planning process.

Strategy Development & Portfolio Management: Translate insights into actionable strategies that mitigate risk, optimize profitability, and fuel sustainable growth across the full marketing mix. Develop and manage the brand portfolio, including SKU rationalization, mix strategies, pricing, and profit optimization, while being fully accountable for the P&L. Continuously evaluate portfolio performance and market dynamics to recommend new product launches, line improvements, and innovation concepts that ensure long-term brand relevance and category growth.

Project Commercialization & Innovation: Lead innovation and commercialization projects through the full stage gate process, from concept to launch. Analyze market potential and segment viability to prioritize new opportunities and competitive concepts. Ensure project execution is on time, aligned with financial targets, and consistent with quality standards. Partner with agencies and cross-functional teams to ensure strong communication of updates, risks, and outcomes throughout the process.

While visiting our manufacturing plants, you will be expected to:

• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree, MBA Preferred
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data
• Able to manage ambiguity and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• 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
• Commitment to continuous self-improvement to develop critical marketing management skills

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• 2+years of experience with brand or product management experience with a CPG company
• Experience working with IRI or Nielsen

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

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.

Make Happy. Work Happy.

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