📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Vice President of Marketing
🔹 Company: Kao Corporation
🔹 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic brand leadership and growth
- Digital and integrated marketing expertise
- Consumer insights and innovation focus
- Team leadership and culture development
- Agency and budget management
- Cross-functional and executive collaboration
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, digital fluency, and consumer obsession to drive brand relevance and growth across Kao's portfolio of personal care and beauty brands.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the U.S. marketing team and drive strategy across personal care and beauty brands
✅ Increase brand relevance, equity, and growth through innovation, digital transformation, and consumer engagement
✅ Promote a consumer-obsessed culture and drive multifunctional collaboration
✅ Manage agency relationships and marketing budgets
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams and executives to achieve business objectives
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of strategic planning, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to drive brand success in a competitive market.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of progressive marketing experience in CPG, beauty, or lifestyle brands
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in brand turnarounds, digital transformation, or launching new products
- Expertise in digital marketing and omnichannel retail
- Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills
- Fluency in English
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with diverse teams and managing agencies
- Familiarity with the personal care or beauty industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in marketing, with a focus on digital and consumer engagement, to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $210,000 - $250,000 USD (Based on experience and market standards for the role and location)
Benefits:
- Healthcare
- 401(k) plus company match
- 41 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick)
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on market standards for the role, experience level, and location. Benefits are competitive and include healthcare, retirement savings, and generous time off.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Kao Corporation operates in the manufacturing industry, focusing on consumer products, including personal care, beauty, and household items.
Company Size: Kao Corporation is a large enterprise with over 10,000 employees globally, providing ample opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
Founded: Kao Corporation was founded in 1887 and has since grown into a multinational company with a strong presence in the consumer goods market.
Company Description:
- Kao Corporation is committed to Yoki-Monozukuri, a philosophy that prioritizes consumer satisfaction and enrichment through innovative products and sustainable practices.
- The company offers a diverse range of brands, including Ban, Bioré, Bondi Sands, Curél, Jergens, John Frieda, MyKirei by KAO, re/cover, and Wakati, catering to various consumer needs.
- Kao Corporation is recognized for its ethical business practices, having been selected among the World's Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years.
Company Specialties:
- Consumer product development and manufacturing
- Brand management and marketing
- Sustainable business practices
- Global operations and expansion
Company Website: https://www.kao.com/americas/en/
ASSUMPTION: Kao Corporation's commitment to ethical business practices, consumer satisfaction, and innovation creates an environment that values employee input and encourages entrepreneurial thinking.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive (Senior Management)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the US General Manager and oversees the US marketing team.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the US marketing strategy and drive brand success
- Chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams and executives
- Opportunity to develop and mentor team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, as it involves strategic decision-making, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to drive brand success in a competitive market.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (on-site and remote)
Office Location(s): Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Geographic Context:
- Cincinnati is the third-largest city in Ohio and offers a mix of urban and suburban living options.
- The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, professional sports teams, and numerous parks and recreational areas.
- Cincinnati has a humid subtropical climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility while maintaining a strong connection to the on-site team and company culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the US General Manager and other stakeholders
- Final interview with the Global Marketing Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and brand management
- Digital marketing expertise and consumer engagement
- Leadership and team management skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience, brand turnarounds, and digital transformation projects.
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking, consumer insights, and innovative marketing campaigns.
- Research Kao Corporation's brand portfolio and understand the unique selling points of each brand.
ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, brand turnaround, digital transformation, consumer engagement, team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, brand management, marketing budget, agency management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit within Kao Corporation's marketing team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
- SEO and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies may vary depending on the specific needs of the role and the marketing team's existing tech stack.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Consumer-centricity
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and ethical business practices
Work Style:
- Data-driven and strategic thinking
- Consumer-obsessed and customer-focused
- Adaptable and open to change
- Collaborative and team-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay updated on consumer trends and market changes?
- Can you provide an example of a successful brand turnaround or digital transformation project you've led?
- How do you foster a collaborative and innovative work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should demonstrate a strong alignment with Kao Corporation's company values and a work style that emphasizes consumer-centricity, innovation, and collaboration.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team through a hybrid work arrangement, balancing on-site and remote collaboration
- Driving brand success in a competitive market with limited resources
- Navigating a large, multinational organization with diverse brand portfolios
- Adapting to a fast-paced, ever-changing consumer market and digital landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other marketing roles, this position focuses on driving brand success across a diverse portfolio of personal care and beauty brands, requiring a broad range of marketing expertise.
- In the personal care and beauty industry, this role emphasizes digital transformation and consumer engagement, reflecting the industry's shift towards omnichannel retail and data-driven marketing.
- Career-wise, this role offers the opportunity to grow into a global marketing leadership position within Kao Corporation, with potential for international assignments and increased responsibilities.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique growth opportunities and challenges compared to other marketing positions, requiring a strong focus on strategic thinking, consumer engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a digital marketing strategy to increase brand awareness and engagement for a struggling personal care brand
- Conducting consumer research and analyzing market trends to identify opportunities for product innovation and brand extension
- Managing agency relationships and marketing budgets to optimize resources and drive ROI for a portfolio of beauty brands
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, consumer-focused, and cross-functional nature of the role, requiring a strong background in marketing and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the company's overall marketing strategy and global brand portfolio?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the US marketing team, and how can this role address them?
- How does Kao Corporation support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What is the company's approach to digital transformation and innovation in the marketing space?
- How does the hybrid work arrangement support the team's productivity and collaboration?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the role's context, the company's marketing strategy, and the work environment, enabling them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 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 marketing experience, brand turnarounds, and digital transformation projects.
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking, consumer insights, and innovative marketing campaigns.
- Research Kao Corporation's brand portfolio and understand the unique selling points of each brand.
- Follow up with a thank-you note after your interview, reiterating your interest in the role and addressing any concerns or questions raised during the interview process.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
