📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager Knorr (d/f/m)
🔹 Company: Unilever
🔹 Location: Hamburg, Germany
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Brand Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-28
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic business and brand development for Knorr Bouillons & Seasonings
- Leading and developing a direct report, managing performance, and coaching
- Independently planning and executing innovation projects
- Category expertise in consumer insights, trends, and market analysis
- Cross-functional collaboration and interface management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the FMCG and food sectors.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement local strategy for Knorr Bouillons & Seasonings
✅ Lead and coach direct report, manage performance, and develop brand assistant
✅ Manage S&OP and develop corrective measures for categories/brands
✅ Translate strategy into actionable plans and brand development activities
✅ Plan, lead, and deploy innovation and restore value projects
✅ Perform market and competition analysis, identify growth opportunities
✅ Manage category expert role in terms of consumer insights, trends, and market analysis
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of independence and requires strong analytical and project management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree from a university or technical college
Experience: Several years of professional experience in FMCG and marketing, ideally in the food sector.
Required Skills:
- Marketing knowledge in brand development, innovation process, consumer/shopper understanding, brand activation, concept and design development, and business/financial acumen
- People management, coaching, teamwork, flexibility, strong communication skills, organizational skills, resilience, assertiveness, self-confidence, and a confident appearance
- Strong analytical skills and a high level of comprehension of complex cases
- Structured, solution-oriented, and efficient way of working
- Fluency in English and ideally German
- Digital affinity and experience in the field of digital or e-commerce are appreciated
- Expertise in European, virtual, and cross-functional interface management
- Passion for food
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in European, virtual, and cross-functional interface management
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in FMCG marketing and a proven track record in brand management and innovation.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €60,000 - €80,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Great colleagues and the greatest possible creative freedom
- Attractive remuneration and additional financial benefits
- Flexible working hours and the opportunity to occasionally work remotely
- Work location in the heart of Hamburg with a film about the office: https://www.unilever.de/our-company/neue-arbeitswelt-und-kultur-in-der-neuen-burg/
- Discounts with cooperation partners and subsidized lunch
- A wide range of training opportunities and 24/7 access to the learning platform
- Wellbeing activities, e.g., company medical care, company health management, and a 24/7 counseling service
- A discounted "Germany" ticket and company bike
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research and the company's size. Benefits are comprehensive and tailored to employee well-being and growth.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Consumer Goods, specifically in the Food sector
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global), with a local presence in Hamburg
Founded: 1872, with a rich history in the FMCG industry
Company Description:
- Unilever is a purpose-driven company with a strong commitment to sustainability and making a positive impact on the world
- The company produces world-leading brands such as Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s, and Omo, alongside local names and innovative brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club, and Dermalogica
- Unilever promotes innovation, big and small, and believes in business as a force for good
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Goods
- Food
- Home Care
- Personal Care
- Refreshments
- Marketing & Advertising
- Retail
- Purpose
- FMCG
- Digital
- Ice Cream
- Nutrition
- Sustainability
- Beauty & Wellbeing
- Innovation
- Careers
Company Website: http://www.unilever.com
ASSUMPTION: Unilever is a large, global company with a strong focus on sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Experienced Professional
Reporting Structure: The Brand Manager will report directly to the Marketing Director and manage a Brand Assistant
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 days on-site in Hamburg
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and lead larger projects
- Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and learning
- Career progression within the Unilever organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of career progression and skill development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace in the heart of Hamburg
Office Location(s): Neue Burg 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
Geographic Context:
- Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and offers a high quality of life with vibrant cultural scenes, historic architecture, and easy access to nature
- The office is located in the city center, with excellent public transportation connections
- The city is known for its maritime heritage and is home to the famous Speicherstadt and Elbphilharmonie
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is collaborative, modern, and centrally located, with a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a team member
- Final interview with the Marketing Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing and brand management skills
- Leadership and people management abilities
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Unilever's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management and innovation projects
- Research Unilever's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, FMCG, Marketing, Innovation, Consumer Insights, People Management, Hamburg, Hybrid Work
ASSUMPTION: The application process is thorough and designed to assess the candidate's skills, experiences, and cultural fit for the role and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in standard marketing and project management tools, as well as the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Purpose-driven: We believe in business as a force for good and strive to make a positive impact on the world
- Inclusive: We foster an inclusive culture where everyone can bring their purpose to life through their work
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals and create a better business and a better world
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
- Adaptable and open to learning and growth
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Unilever's purpose-driven approach to business?
- How do you foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment?
- How do you approach learning and growth in your role?
ASSUMPTION: Unilever values a diverse and inclusive workforce that is committed to making a positive impact on the world through its business operations.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a direct report and coaching their development
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day execution of projects
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity
- Navigating a large, global organization and building effective cross-functional relationships
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to building relationships and seeking support when needed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other Brand Manager positions in the FMCG industry but with a stronger focus on innovation and category expertise
- Unilever's global presence and commitment to sustainability set it apart from other consumer goods companies
- Career progression opportunities within Unilever are extensive, with potential for growth into senior marketing or general management roles
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and development within a large, global organization committed to sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a successful innovation project for a new Knorr product line
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify growth opportunities for Knorr Bouillons & Seasonings
- Managing a cross-functional team to execute a high-impact brand activation campaign
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, analytical, and collaborative skills required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for Knorr in Germany?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Unilever support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does Unilever foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates a proactive approach to understanding the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Unilever careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management and innovation projects to showcase your expertise
- Research Unilever's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your enthusiasm and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
