Director-DTC & Performance Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director-DTC & Performance Marketing

🔹 Company: Jack Link's Protein Snacks

🔹 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Manufacturing

🔹 Date Posted: June 20, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Building and scaling direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing engine from the ground up
• Architecting strategies to drive customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value across owned digital ecosystem
• Hands-on execution of performance marketing campaigns across various digital channels
• Data analysis and optimization to inform decisions and drive strategic growth
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure digital strategies align with broader brand initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader with a proven track record in DTC and performance marketing to drive growth and innovation in the direct-to-consumer space.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement a comprehensive DTC and performance marketing strategy aligned with brand and business goals

✅ Launch and optimize campaigns across owned digital channels: email, SMS, paid search, paid social, affiliate, and social selling

✅ Define customer journey frameworks to drive engagement and retention

✅ Establish a data-driven culture using automation, AI, and consumer insights to inform decisions

✅ Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure digital strategies align with broader brand initiatives

✅ Work closely with brand and social teams to ensure cohesive messaging and integrated marketing efforts

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of e-commerce platforms, marketing tools, and a data-driven mindset to succeed.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Experience: 10+ years in digital marketing, with a strong focus on DTC and performance marketing

Required Skills:

• Proven experience building and leading DTC programs
• Working knowledge of e-commerce platforms and marketing tools
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a builder's mentality
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Proven ability to lead and scale high-performing teams
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong project management and multitasking skills
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving change

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in food/CPG

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in food/CPG and a proven track record in building and scaling DTC programs will be highly competitive for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $159,100 - $218,790 (Annually). Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience.

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401k Participation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The actual salary may vary based on the factors mentioned.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Jack Link's Protein Snacks operates in the manufacturing industry, specifically in the production of protein snacks, with a focus on meat snacks.

Company Size: Jack Link's Protein Snacks has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and career advancement while maintaining a family-owned and operated feel.

Founded: Jack Link's Protein Snacks was founded in 1985, giving it a rich history and established brand in the market.

Company Description:

• Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide.
• The company is family-owned and operated, with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, and a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Jack Link's Protein Snacks is committed to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward.

Company Specialties:

• Food Safety and Quality
• Safety
• Operations
• Protein Snacks and Meat Snacks

Company Website: http://www.jacklinks.com

ASSUMPTION: Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a well-established company with a strong brand presence in the market, offering opportunities for growth and career advancement in the manufacturing industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the director level, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and a proven track record in DTC and performance marketing.

Reporting Structure: The Director of DTC & Performance Marketing will report directly to the Vice President of Marketing and work closely with cross-functional teams, including brand, social, and operations.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the primary office location in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company continues to grow, there may be opportunities for the successful candidate to expand their team and take on additional responsibilities.
• With a strong performance, the candidate may have the opportunity to take on a more senior role within the marketing organization.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's DTC marketing efforts.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Jack Link's Protein Snacks has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an open and collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): 600 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 120, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA

Geographic Context:

• Minneapolis is the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is known for its vibrant arts, cultural, and sports scenes.
• The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous parks, lakes, and recreational opportunities.
• Minneapolis has a diverse and growing economy, with strengths in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, with flexibility for remote work not specified.

ASSUMPTION: The Minneapolis office location offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with easy access to numerous amenities and recreational opportunities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual interview with the marketing team
• Final interview with the Vice President of Marketing

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• DTC and performance marketing expertise
• Leadership and team management skills
• Data analysis and optimization skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your DTC and performance marketing experience and achievements.
• Be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for driving DTC growth and your approach to data-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrate your ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure digital strategies align with broader brand initiatives.

ATS Keywords: Direct-to-Consumer, DTC, Performance Marketing, Digital Marketing, Customer Acquisition, Retention Strategies, Team Leadership, Project Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Budget Management, E-commerce Platforms, Data Analysis, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Communication Skills, Automation, Consumer Insights

ASSUMPTION: Jack Link's Protein Snacks uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage and organize job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Shopify, Magento, WordPress
• Salsify
• Email/SMS tools (e.g., Klaviyo, Omnisend)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these e-commerce platforms and marketing tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Be Real
• Speed Matters
• Stewardship
• Relationship Driven
• Self-Discipline
• Show Awesome Character

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and results-focused
• Adaptable and comfortable with change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you embody Jack Link's core values, and how do they resonate with your personal values and work style?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, and how do you thrive in such settings?
• How do you approach collaboration and cross-functional teamwork, and can you provide examples of your success in this area?

ASSUMPTION: Jack Link's Protein Snacks values candidates who align with their core values and can thrive in a collaborative, data-driven, and fast-paced work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Building a DTC marketing engine from scratch requires a significant time investment and may face initial obstacles in infrastructure and resource allocation.
• Navigating a mid-sized company with a family-owned and operated feel may present unique cultural and decision-making dynamics.
• Balancing the need for data-driven decision-making with the need for swift execution and innovation may present challenges in prioritizing initiatives.
• Working in a manufacturing industry with a focus on meat snacks may require a unique understanding of the target audience and their preferences.

ASSUMPTION: These potential challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other marketing director roles in its exclusive focus on direct-to-consumer channels and the need to build the DTC marketing engine from the ground up.
• In the food/CPG industry, DTC marketing is a growing and evolving field, with unique challenges and opportunities compared to traditional retail and wholesale channels.
• Career paths in DTC marketing may vary from those in traditional marketing roles, with a greater emphasis on e-commerce, data analysis, and customer retention strategies.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in DTC marketing and a strong understanding of the unique dynamics of the food/CPG industry will be well-positioned for success in this role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive DTC marketing strategy, including customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value optimization
• Launching and optimizing performance marketing campaigns across owned digital channels, with a focus on driving measurable results
• Building and managing a high-performing DTC marketing team, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and collaboration with cross-functional teams

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide a sense of the strategic and tactical responsibilities required for success in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of Jack Link's DTC marketing efforts, and what are the most pressing priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does the marketing team collaborate with other departments, such as brand, social, and operations, to ensure cohesive messaging and integrated marketing efforts?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of DTC marketing campaigns, and how are they tracked and optimized?
• How does Jack Link's support the growth and development of its marketing team members, and what opportunities exist for professional advancement within the organization?
• What is the company's long-term vision for DTC marketing, and how does this role contribute to achieving that vision?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help you better understand the role's priorities, dynamics, and long-term prospects, allowing you to make an informed decision about your fit for the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your DTC and performance marketing experience and achievements
• Prepare for interviews by researching Jack Link's Protein Snacks, their products, and their competitors
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

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