Assistant Brand Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Assistant Brand Manager

🔹 Company: Mars

🔹 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting the ADVANCE Marketing team in full 360 campaigns across traditional and digital touchpoints
• Collaborating with cross-functional business teams in planning, executing, and analyzing various NPD projects and sales & marketing initiatives
• Managing key S&OP+ inputs periodically and acting as the key brand custodian in various forums
• Leading and supporting the delivery and implementation of the approved 18-month execution plan

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of brand management, digital marketing, and cross-functional collaboration. It is ideal for candidates with experience in CPG branded products and a background in digital CRM, community management, and social channels.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Assisting in understanding and assessing the market, categories, competitors, and consumers through various data sources to inform brand plans

✅ Leading the execution of defined marketing plans, including media, innovation & NPD launches, with excellence through cross-functional collaboration

✅ Partnering with the Senior Brand Manager (SBM) and shopper to develop and create communications and implementation of tactical and 360 marketing plans

✅ Supporting the Breeder & Recommendation team for best-in-class events and sponsorships, acting as the key brand custodian

✅ Engaging with digital communication platforms and assisting with the development of the Digital and eCommerce strategy

✅ Managing branded web platforms, keeping them up-to-date with launches and recommended improvements

✅ Partnering with DDM and CC to lead Social Media platforms and drive the ongoing development of monthly engaging content and manage CRM journeys of key customers

✅ Analyzing brand performance, competitive dynamics, and category trends to assist and influence brand execution and growth opportunity recommendations for NPD and marketing activities

✅ Conducting post-evaluation of activities, extracting insights to develop lessons learned and recommendations for future brand activity

✅ Monitoring brand expenditures and managing marketing and shopper marketing budget tracking, PO raising, cost tracking, and PO/Invoice processing

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical, communication, and project management skills. Candidates should be well-organized, attentive to details, and action-oriented, with the ability to hit the ground running and move projects forward.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in brand management, digital marketing, or a related role within the CPG industry

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in implementing brand campaigns across multiple marketing elements, including traditional, digital paid and organic, events, and social media
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple workstreams
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to take initiative and move projects forward

Preferred Skills:

• Background in digital CRM, community management, and social channels
• Animal/food background in health (human or animal)
• NPD innovation experience (launch of products)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the pet care industry or animal health sector may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AUD 80,000 - 100,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager role in Melbourne)

Benefits:

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University
• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus

Working Hours: Full-time position, with standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager role in Melbourne. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and market conditions.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mars operates in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing industry, with a focus on pet care, food, and confectionery products. The company is known for its iconic brands, such as M&M's, Snickers, Pedigree, and Whiskas.

Company Size: Mars is a large, multinational corporation with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for diverse career opportunities and the chance to work on global brands.

Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Frank C. Mars, with the company's headquarters located in McLean, Virginia, USA.

Company Description:

• Mars is a family-owned business with a strong commitment to its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom
• The company is dedicated to creating a positive impact on the world through its business operations and sustainability initiatives
• Mars offers a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on employee development and growth

Company Specialties:

• Petcare (Mars Petcare)
• Food (Mars Food)
• Health and Nutrition (Mars Edge)
• Confectionery (Mars Wrigley)

Company Website: Mars.com

ASSUMPTION: Mars' large size and global presence provide opportunities for career growth and development within the company.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for early to mid-career marketing professionals seeking to gain experience in brand management and cross-functional collaboration.

Reporting Structure: The Assistant Brand Manager will report directly to the Portfolio Director Super Premium Health and work closely with cross-functional teams, including shopper marketing, content management, and connected commerce teams.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific tasks or meetings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a Senior Brand Manager or other leadership roles within the marketing function
• Expansion into different brands, categories, or markets within the Mars portfolio
• Development of skills in cross-functional collaboration, project management, and strategic thinking

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in brand management and cross-functional collaboration within a large, multinational corporation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Mars' Melbourne office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on employee well-being and productivity.

Office Location(s): 6885 Elm St, McLean, Virginia 22101, US

Geographic Context:

• Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria and is known for its vibrant culture, arts, and sports scenes
• The city offers a high quality of life, with a range of housing options, excellent education institutions, and a diverse range of recreational activities
• Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate, with warm summers and cool winters

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), with the possibility of occasional overtime or flexible hours to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The Melbourne office provides a supportive and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final interview with the Portfolio Director Super Premium Health

Key Assessment Areas:

• Brand management experience and skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and project management abilities
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Mars' Five Principles

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills
• Prepare examples of successful brand campaigns you have managed or contributed to in the past
• Research Mars' Five Principles and be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work

ATS Keywords: Brand management, digital marketing, cross-functional collaboration, project management, consumer insights, market research, campaign execution, event management, social media, CRM, NPD innovation

ASSUMPTION: Mars' recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role and the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Analytics
• Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the projects and campaigns being managed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality: The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal
• Responsibility: As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others
• Mutuality: A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure
• Efficiency: We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best
• Freedom: We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and action-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Mars' Five Principles in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a cross-functional project or campaign?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously?

ASSUMPTION: Mars' Five Principles are at the core of the company's culture and are an essential aspect of the hiring process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple workstreams and prioritizing tasks effectively
• Balancing the need for cross-functional collaboration with the requirement for independent decision-making and action
• Adapting to a large, multinational corporate environment with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Maintaining a strong brand presence across multiple digital and traditional marketing channels

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a results-driven approach.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Assistant Brand Manager vs. Brand Manager: The Assistant Brand Manager role focuses on supporting the execution of marketing plans, while the Brand Manager role is responsible for strategic decision-making and overall brand management
• Assistant Brand Manager vs. Marketing Coordinator: The Assistant Brand Manager role requires more strategic thinking and independent decision-making than the Marketing Coordinator role, which typically focuses on tactical execution and administrative tasks
• Career Path: Assistant Brand Manager → Brand Manager → Senior Brand Manager → Director of Brand Management

ASSUMPTION: The Assistant Brand Manager role is an ideal stepping stone for early to mid-career marketing professionals seeking to gain experience in brand management and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a digital marketing campaign to launch a new pet food product, including social media content, influencer partnerships, and targeted online advertising
• Conducting market research and consumer insights analysis to inform brand positioning and messaging for a line of pet care products
• Managing a team of external agency partners to deliver a comprehensive brand rebranding project, including logo design, packaging updates, and website redevelopment

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for the Assistant Brand Manager role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical day-to-day responsibilities of the Assistant Brand Manager role?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams within Mars, such as shopper marketing, content management, and connected commerce teams?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and within Mars more broadly?
• How does Mars support work-life balance for its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills
• Prepare examples of successful brand campaigns you have managed or contributed to in the past
• Research Mars' Five Principles and be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.