📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Category Marketing (NCA)
🔹 Company: Ball
🔹 Location: Westminster, Colorado, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (On-site 3 days/week)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives to drive business growth
- Leading cross-functional teams to deliver on growth objectives
- Analyzing market trends and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities
- Building and implementing category plans, value propositions, and go-to-market strategies
- Collaborating with senior leadership, innovation, commercial teams, and external partners
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work effectively across various teams and functions.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives to drive business growth
✅ Leading cross-functional teams through the stage-gate process for new product launches and commercial capabilities
✅ Building and implementing category plans, value propositions, and go-to-market strategies
✅ Collaborating with senior leadership, innovation, commercial teams, and external partners to ensure alignment and successful execution of marketing initiatives
✅ Evaluating and executing tradeshow and trade media strategies
✅ Fostering close working relationships with South America and EMEA marketing leads to establish global enterprise strategies and share best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration, stakeholder management, and strategic decision-making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Broad training in a related field, usually acquired through college or work-related experience
Experience: 3 years minimum of job-related experience, with 2-3 years of experience working in the consumer packaged goods industry preferred
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in brand marketing, sales, revenue growth management, insights, or finance
- Ability to provide management review and control over sales and marketing work
- Ability to apply intensive and diversified evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation and modification of standard sales and marketing techniques, procedures, and criteria
- Experience with syndicated data systems like Nielsen or Circana preferred
- Customer facing experience
Preferred Skills:
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant industry experience and a strong background in marketing, sales, or related fields are most likely to succeed in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $96,000 - $137,180 (Annually)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits structure
- Annual incentive compensation plan
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data and may vary depending on the candidate's education, experience, and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Packaging & Containers, with a focus on aluminum packaging solutions for beverages and personal care products
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global), with a strong presence in the United States
Founded: 1880, with a rich history and extensive experience in the packaging industry
Company Description:
- Ball Corporation is a global leader in aluminum packaging, providing packaging solutions for beverages and personal care and household products
- The company employs over 16,000 people worldwide and produces cans, bottles, and aerosol containers
- Ball is committed to sustainability and creating a better world through its products and practices
Company Specialties:
- Beverage Cans & Bottles
- Aerosol Cans
- Paint & General Line Cans
- Aluminum
- Personal and Home Care Containers
Company Website: www.ball.com
ASSUMPTION: Ball Corporation is a well-established and respected company in the packaging industry, with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management, with opportunities for growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organization
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Category Marketing and has the opportunity to lead cross-functional teams
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-site 3 days/week, with core collaboration days of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to senior leadership roles within the marketing department or other functions
- Expansion of responsibilities and team leadership opportunities
- Potential to work on global projects and collaborate with international teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain experience in a global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a hybrid work arrangement
Office Location(s): 9200 W 108th Circle, Westminster, Colorado 80021, US
Geographic Context:
- Westminster, Colorado, is a suburb of Denver, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
- The area has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons
- Westminster is home to various businesses, retail, and entertainment options
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with a hybrid work arrangement (On-site 3 days/week)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the senior director and other team members
- Final interview with the senior director and other stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Industry knowledge and understanding of consumer packaged goods
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant industry experience and transferable skills in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and how your background aligns with the required qualifications
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
ATS Keywords: Category Marketing, Consumer Insights, Cross-Functional Leadership, Market Trends Analysis, Commercial Strategy, Product Launch, Value Proposition Development, Customer Lifecycle Management, Trade Show Strategy, Collaboration, Data Analysis, Sales Principles, Marketing Communications, Market Research, Consumer Packaged Goods, Syndicated Data Systems
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership, and industry knowledge, as well as their fit with the company culture and team dynamics.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Syndicated data systems (e.g., Nielsen, Circana)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's preferences and the organization's standards.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Responsibility
- Sustainability
- Innovation
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and consumer behavior in the consumer packaged goods industry?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you led a cross-functional team to deliver on a strategic initiative?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Ball Corporation values candidates who are passionate about the packaging industry, committed to sustainability, and eager to contribute to the company's success through strategic marketing initiatives.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple stakeholders and balancing competing priorities
- Keeping up with industry trends and consumer behavior in a dynamic market
- Adapting to changes in the organization's structure or strategic direction
- Balancing on-site collaboration and remote work in a hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a proactive approach to managing priorities and expectations.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Manager, Category Marketing (NCA) vs. Senior Brand Manager: The former role involves more strategic planning, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, while the latter focuses more on brand-specific marketing initiatives and tactics
- Industry-specific context: The consumer packaged goods industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer insights
- Career path comparison: Manager, Category Marketing (NCA) is a mid-level management role with opportunities for progression to senior leadership positions within the marketing department or other functions
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, with opportunities for growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new product launch, including market research, consumer insights, and cross-functional team collaboration
- Building and implementing a category plan to drive business growth and achieve organizational objectives, including market analysis, competitive assessment, and strategic positioning
- Evaluating and executing tradeshow and trade media strategies to maximize brand exposure and generate leads
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, collaborative, and data-driven nature of the Manager, Category Marketing (NCA) role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department, and how this role fits into the broader organization?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Ball Corporation support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the marketing department?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does the company foster a culture of innovation and sustainability, and what role does this position play in driving these initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company, and provides an opportunity to assess the fit between your career goals and the organization's priorities.
📌 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 industry experience, transferable skills, and alignment with the required qualifications
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of 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.
