📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Lead, Brand Commercialization
🔹 Company: The J.M. Smucker Co.
🔹 Location: Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (~30% in office expectation)
🔹 Category: Manufacturing, Consumer Goods
🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid work arrangement
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing sales strategies and driving in-market execution
- Serving as a critical conduit between Brand Marketing and Field Sales teams
- Translating national strategies into retail channel go-to-market plans
- Influencing cross-functional partners and managing ambiguity
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Translates national brand strategies, marketing plans, category growth initiatives, and insights into go-to-market sales strategies by key channels.
✅ Influences the development of Long Range and Annual Operating Plans (quota, trade, situation assessments) from a Category, Customer, Channel, & Competitive lens.
✅ Creates channel-specific sales fundamental objectives to achieve priorities and sales controllable objectives: distribution, pricing, shelving, merchandising, and new items.
✅ Acts as the internal voice for the customer, representing customer and channel strategies at stage-gate and consensus forecast meetings.
✅ Leads the development of national sales presentations and tools that help Field Sales execute initiatives in the marketplace with excellence.
✅ Communicates key Category, Customer, Competitive insights into volume forecast.
✅ Assists in the development of trade promotion strategies, trade merchandising plans, and major trade initiatives.
✅ Provides regular updates to Field Sales of key marketing elements and initiatives (FSI/Media calendars, Catalina, etc.).
✅ Supports product recalls, label changes, innovation launches, and SKU rationalizations.
✅ Assists in the creation of materials for National Sales Meetings and Sales webcasts.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication skills to effectively convey insights and strategies to various stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: 7+ years in CPG Customer Marketing (Brand Commercialization/Customer Commercialization), Brand Marketing, CPG Customer Sales Management, or within related “go-to-market” commercial responsibility
Required Skills:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to influence cross-functional partners
- Drive for results and ability to manage ambiguity & complexity
- Curiosity and continuous learning mindset
- Strong analytical skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience pulling, analyzing, and drawing insights and recommendations from consumption data (Nielsen)
- Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time
Preferred Skills:
- Headquarter customer marketing or cross-functional experience
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is required for this role due to the nature of the responsibilities and the need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 (Estimated based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience)
Benefits:
- Total Rewards Benefits Program
- Continuous opportunities to learn, grow, and develop
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (~30% in office expectation)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Manufacturing, Consumer Goods
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
Founded: 1897
Company Description:
- At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America.
- We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day.
- Our commitment to producing high-quality products, operating responsibly and ethically, and delivering on our Purpose enables us to continue growing our business while making a positive impact on society.
Company Specialties:
- Food manufacturing
- Marketing
- Consumer packaged goods
- Product innovation
- Consumer food and beverage
- Pet food and pet snacks
- Research & development
- Food production
Company Website: http://www.jmsmucker.com/
ASSUMPTION: The J.M. Smucker Co. is a well-established company with a strong presence in the consumer goods industry. Applicants can expect a structured and professional work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level management
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director, Brand Commercialization – Consumer Foods and may have supervisory responsibilities for Brand Commercialization team members.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement (~30% in office expectation) with the ability to work remotely for the remainder of the time.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a Director or higher-level position within the Brand Commercialization team or related functions.
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business growth and innovation.
- Access to professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and advance career progression.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a large, established organization. Applicants should be prepared to take on increasing responsibilities and demonstrate strong leadership skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement with an on-site office location in Orrville, OH (close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)
Office Location(s): One Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667, US
Geographic Context:
- Orrville, OH is a small city located in northeastern Ohio, approximately 45 miles south of Cleveland and 30 miles south of Akron.
- The area offers a mix of urban and rural living, with access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and a relatively low cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas.
- The company's headquarters and primary manufacturing facilities are located in Orrville, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (~30% in office expectation)
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be prepared to commute to the office as needed. The location offers a mix of urban and rural living, with access to cultural attractions and outdoor recreation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
- Cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills
- Ability to manage ambiguity and complexity
- Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
- Alignment with company values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your problem-solving skills, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to manage ambiguity and complexity.
- Research the company and its products to demonstrate your understanding of the business and industry.
ATS Keywords: Brand Commercialization, Customer Marketing, Sales Strategies, Market Execution, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving, Trade Promotion, Presentation Development, Marketplace Excellence, Category Insights, Customer Voice, Merchandising, SKU Rationalization, Innovation Launches, Data Analysis, Communication
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills through their resume, cover letter, and interviews.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Nielsen data analysis tools
- Salesforce or other CRM platforms
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools is required for this role. Familiarity with salesforce or other CRM platforms and project management tools is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Bold: We have the courage to take risks and challenge the status quo.
- Kind: We treat everyone with respect and dignity, fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
- Strive to do the right thing: We act with integrity and make decisions that prioritize the well-being of our employees, our communities, and our planet.
- Play to win: We are committed to delivering results and continuously improving our performance.
- Believe in a strong community that thrives together: We support our employees, our communities, and our planet by investing in their success and well-being.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills to effectively convey insights and strategies to various stakeholders.
- Adaptable: Applicants should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be prepared to adapt to changing priorities and workloads.
- Data-driven: This role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to draw insights and recommendations from consumption data.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have experience working in a hybrid or remote work environment, and are you comfortable with the expectations of this role?
- Can you provide examples of your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders to achieve common goals?
- How do you approach managing ambiguity and complexity in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with the company's values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling career with The J.M. Smucker Co.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing ambiguity and complexity in a dynamic and evolving business environment
- Balancing the need for strategic thinking with the need for tactical execution and day-to-day management
- Effectively communicating and influencing cross-functional partners and stakeholders with varying priorities and agendas
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and managing remote team members
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to a role of this nature and require strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication to overcome.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on translating national brand strategies into retail channel go-to-market plans, serving as a critical conduit between Brand Marketing and Field Sales teams.
- While similar roles may exist in other organizations, the specific focus and context of this role make it unique within The J.M. Smucker Co.
- Career progression in this role may lead to advancement within the Brand Commercialization team or related functions, with opportunities for increased responsibility and leadership.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and aspirations within The J.M. Smucker Co.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive go-to-market sales strategy for a new product launch, including channel-specific objectives and tactics to drive volume and share targets
- Conducting a competitive analysis and market assessment to inform brand positioning and messaging strategies
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a trade promotion strategy that drives incremental sales and market share
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of initiatives and responsibilities that may be encountered in this role, requiring strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workload and priorities for this role, and how they may evolve over time?
- How does this role collaborate with other functions within the organization, and what are the key priorities for cross-functional partnerships?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Brand Commercialization team, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does The J.M. Smucker Co. support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success in this role, and how are they tracked and reported?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and growth opportunities associated with this role, as well as the company's culture and commitment to employee development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, including specific examples of your problem-solving skills, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to manage ambiguity and complexity.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and analytical skills.
- Research the company and its products to demonstrate your understanding of the business and industry.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps in the interview process.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
