📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Mars
🔹 Location: Australia (Melbourne, Victoria)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Brand Management, Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Melbourne, Victoria)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving growth initiatives for the ADVANCE brand
- Developing and implementing branding strategies over a 3-year growth plan horizon
- Innovating and developing products based on pet parent, consumer, category, and Waltham insights
- Commercializing scientific insights into actionable, marketable claims
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of brand strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong project management skills, and the ability to work effectively with various departments and stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement branding strategies across Media, Innovation, and Activation
✅ Create and deliver brand innovation plans in line with the approved 3-year innovation pipeline
✅ Translate scientific research into actionable, marketable claims and ensure they are backed by strong scientific evidence
✅ Partner with the Portfolio Director and Senior Brand Manager to build ADVANCE brand comms strategy, creative development, and budget management
✅ Represent ADVANCE through the S&OP+ process and deliver against the 3-year planning horizon
✅ Collaborate with various departments such as finance, supply chain, and external partners to ensure seamless execution of brand strategies
✅ Embrace a high-performing team culture to drive engagement within the immediate team and broader Mars marketing community
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication and influencing skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or similar
Experience: Proven high performing Assistant Brand Manager / Brand Manager with experience in Brand Marketing / Sales, ideally in FMCG
Required Skills:
- In-depth understanding, knowledge, and practical experience in consumer marketing with global and/or regional experience
- Demonstrated experience in brand management, innovation, data analysis, brief writing, and leading key brand projects
- Experience in R&D and/or Pet Innovation in an FMCG environment (desirable)
- Experience in product innovation, product design, and claim approval in a business context
- Extensive experience in project delivery
- Ability to effectively engage and influence senior leaders and peers in R&D, Marketing, SRA, and Supply
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the pet care industry
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the pet care industry and fluency in multiple languages could be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role in Australia with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is AUD 120,000 - 160,000 per annum.
Benefits:
- Learning and development support
- Company bonus
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility based on business needs
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mars is a global manufacturer of confectionery, pet care, and other food products. The company operates in the competitive and dynamic Food and Beverage Manufacturing industry.
Company Size: Mars is a large corporation with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for diverse opportunities and a well-established infrastructure.
Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Franklin C. Mars. The company has a rich history and has grown to become a global leader in its industries.
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 known for its iconic brands, including M&M's, Snickers, Wrigley's, and Pedigree
- Mars is dedicated to creating a better world for pets through its pet care division, Mars Petcare
Company Specialties:
- Confectionery
- Pet care
- Food
- Edge (innovative, health, and wellness products)
Company Website: Mars.com
ASSUMPTION: Mars' large size and diverse portfolio provide opportunities for career growth and development within various business units.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the marketing career path, with opportunities for growth into senior roles within the Mars organization.
Reporting Structure: The Brand Manager reports directly to the Portfolio Director and works closely with the Senior Brand Manager and cross-functional teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site in Melbourne, Victoria, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements based on business needs.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to Senior Brand Manager or Portfolio Director roles within Mars
- Expansion into different business units or geographies within the Mars organization
- Development of leadership and management skills through mentorship and training programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth within the Mars organization, with potential paths into senior marketing roles or other business units.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mars' Melbourne office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): 6885 Elm St, McLean, Virginia, US
Geographic Context:
- Melbourne is the second-most populous city in Australia and is known for its vibrant culture, arts, and sports scenes
- The city offers a high quality of life, with a mild climate, beautiful beaches, and abundant parks and gardens
- Melbourne is a major hub for the pet care industry, with several key players in the region
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility based on business needs and team requirements.
ASSUMPTION: The Melbourne office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with opportunities for collaboration and professional development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with the hiring manager and cross-functional team members
- Final interview with the Portfolio Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand management and strategy development
- Innovation and product development
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the pet care industry and the ADVANCE brand
- Prepare examples of your brand management and innovation successes to discuss during the interview
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Innovation, Data Analysis, Project Management, Consumer Marketing, Collaboration, Product Development, Commercialization, Marketing Strategy, Advertising, Financial Management, Cross-functional Coordination, Scientific Research, Claim Approval, Creative Development, Budget Management
ASSUMPTION: Mars' application process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on behavioral and technical interviews.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics, Tableau)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Marketo, Salesforce)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for marketing and project management professionals.
👔 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 focused on delivering growth and market share
- Adaptable and responsive to changing market dynamics
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Mars' Five Principles, particularly in the context of this role?
- How comfortable are you working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with cross-functional teams?
- How do you approach driving growth and market share for a brand like ADVANCE?
ASSUMPTION: Mars' company culture is centered around its Five Principles, with a focus on quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom. Candidates should demonstrate a strong fit with these values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Managing cross-functional teams and stakeholders with varying priorities and perspectives
- Adapting to changes in market dynamics and consumer behavior
- Ensuring consistent brand communication across all touchpoints while driving growth and market share
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent in a Brand Manager role within a large, dynamic organization like Mars.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Brand Manager roles, this position offers a focus on innovation and product development, with a strong emphasis on scientific research and claim approval
- Within the pet care industry, this role is unique in its focus on the ADVANCE brand and its growth ambitions
- Career progression in this role could lead to senior marketing roles within Mars or other business units, with potential expansion into global or regional roles
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and development within the pet care industry and the broader Mars organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a 3-year growth plan for the ADVANCE brand, including media, innovation, and activation strategies
- Leading the product development brief and commercialization of innovative pet care solutions for ADVANCE across the cat wet and dry range
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of brand strategies, including S&OP+ processes and financial and performance management
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the key responsibilities and growth opportunities in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
- How does Mars support the growth and development of its Associates, particularly in marketing roles?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Mars approach cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in this role?
- What are the key challenges facing the ADVANCE brand, and how can this role address them?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the role's fit with the candidate's skills, experience, and career goals, as well as the company's culture and opportunities for growth.
📌 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 experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management and innovation successes to discuss during the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
