📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Smithfield Foods
🔹 Location: Smithfield, Virginia
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-site
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing marketing strategies for specific brand categories
- Collaborating cross-functionally with sales, business management, operations, and external partners
- Analyzing market trends and recommending changes to marketing and product strategies
- Managing brand budgets and ensuring legal approval of all external-facing materials
- Commercializing new products and line extensions within 12 months
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Analyze market trends and recommend changes to marketing and product strategies based on analysis and feedback
✅ Develop category strategy and analysis, and perform ongoing business analysis to drive brand performance
✅ Lead a wide variety of functional areas to develop and manage marketing objectives, strategies, and tactics
✅ Manage brand budget and ensure legal approval of all external-facing materials
✅ Develop market and competitive analysis, create customized sales presentations, and track product performance at retail
✅ Manage agency relationships, develop integrated brand image and messaging, and collaborate with sales on strategic partnership activities
✅ Participate in product development process, identify consumer insights, create product propositions, and assess market potential
✅ Partner with other functional areas to quickly bring viable new products to market and identify growth and cost improvement opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to drive brand success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or related field
Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience
Required Skills:
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritize projects and produce high-quality outputs
- Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Preferred Skills:
- MBA in Marketing or related field
- Consumer marketing experience with a CPG company in food
- Experience managing a budget for a brand and working in a cross-functional environment
- Experience working with syndicated data and commercializing new products
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with an MBA in Marketing and experience in consumer marketing with a CPG company in food may have an advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Medical Plans
- Tuition Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Scholarship Program
- Professional Development Programs
- Apprenticeship Programs
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with up to 15% travel required
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company discretion.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Smithfield Foods operates in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing industry, with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products.
Company Size: Smithfield Foods has 10,001+ employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: Smithfield Foods was founded in 1936 and has since grown into a global food company with a diverse brand portfolio.
Company Description:
- Smithfield Foods is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products.
- The company is committed to responsible and sustainable practices, working closely with U.S. farmers and customers to meet global demand for quality protein.
- Smithfield Foods offers a diverse range of brands, including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and many others.
Company Specialties:
- Bacon
- BBQ
- Breakfast Sausage
- Smoked Sausage
- Dry Sausage
- Deli Meat
- Ham
- Hot Dogs
- Packaged Lunchmeat
- Marinated Pork
- Prepared Foods
- Hog Production
- Animal Agriculture
- Food & Beverage
- Internships
- Farming
- and Manufacturing
Company Website: http://www.smithfieldfoods.com/giwwd
ASSUMPTION: Smithfield Foods is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the food industry, offering opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for early to mid-career marketing professionals with 2-5 years of relevant experience.
Reporting Structure: The Associate Brand Manager will report directly to the Brand Manager and work closely with various cross-functional teams, including sales, business management, operations, and external partners.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with up to 15% travel required. The role may involve working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Brand Manager role within Smithfield Foods
- Expansion into other brand categories or product lines
- Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives
- Potential to gain experience in international markets
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within Smithfield Foods, as well as the chance to gain experience in various aspects of brand management.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Smithfield Foods' headquarters is located in Smithfield, Virginia, with additional offices and facilities across the United States and internationally.
Office Location(s): 200 Commerce Street, Smithfield, Virginia 23430, US
Geographic Context:
- Smithfield, Virginia, is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and rural living.
- The area is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Smithfield Foods' headquarters is situated near major highways, providing easy access to nearby cities and attractions.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with up to 15% travel required
ASSUMPTION: The Smithfield, Virginia, location offers a mix of urban and rural living, with easy access to cultural attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with the brand team or other stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
- Cultural fit and alignment with Smithfield Foods' values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and Smithfield Foods' brand portfolio
- Prepare examples of market analysis, brand strategy, or product innovation projects to discuss during the interview
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Market Analysis, Product Development, Budget Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Advertising, Consumer Promotion, Innovation, Quantitative Skills, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Microsoft Office Suite, Project Management, Team Orientation, Customer Marketing
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may involve multiple interviews and assessments, focusing on analytical skills, communication, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Syndicated data platforms (e.g., Nielsen, IRI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
ASSUMPTION: This role may require the use of various marketing, data analysis, and project management tools to effectively manage brand initiatives and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Teamwork
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-oriented and focused on delivering high-quality outputs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate integrity in your professional life, and how might this be relevant to this role?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment, and how did you handle it?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams, and how might this be relevant to this role?
ASSUMPTION: Smithfield Foods values a collaborative, data-driven, and results-oriented work environment, with a strong focus on integrity, respect, and teamwork.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple brand categories and priorities simultaneously
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
- Adapting to changes in market trends and consumer behavior
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to managing multiple priorities, working in a fast-paced environment, and adapting to market changes.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other brand management roles, this position may offer more exposure to cross-functional collaboration and international markets
- Smithfield Foods' diverse brand portfolio provides opportunities to work on a wide range of products and categories
- This role may offer more growth opportunities within the company compared to smaller organizations
ASSUMPTION: This role may differ from other brand management positions in terms of cross-functional collaboration, international exposure, and growth opportunities within the company.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conducting a market analysis for a specific brand category and recommending changes to marketing and product strategies
- Developing a comprehensive brand plan, including product quality, innovation, packaging, channel strategies, distribution, pricing, advertising, consumer promotion, and media strategy
- Managing the commercialization of a new product or line extension within a 12-month timeframe
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the key responsibilities and required skills for the Associate Brand Manager role at Smithfield Foods.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the brand portfolio for the category I would be working on, and how it fits within the broader Smithfield Foods brand ecosystem?
- How does the cross-functional team structure support the success of the brand management function, and how might I collaborate with these teams?
- What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the brand management function at Smithfield Foods?
- How does Smithfield Foods approach innovation and new product development, and how might I contribute to this process?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how might this be supported in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the brand management function, company culture, and growth opportunities at Smithfield Foods.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://smithfieldfoods.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/Smithfield-VA/Associate-Brand-Manager_R-2025-4130
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements
- Write a cover letter demonstrating your understanding of the role and Smithfield Foods' brand portfolio
- Prepare examples of market analysis, brand strategy, or product innovation projects to discuss during the interview
- 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.
