Senior Associate Brand Manager

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Senior Associate Brand Manager 🔹 Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited 🔹 Location: Evanston, Illinois, United States 🔹 Job Type: Full-Time 🔹 Category: Brand Management 🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025 🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years 🚀 Job Overview Key aspects of this role include: - Owning delivery of several aspects of the Kerrygold business in North America - Contributing to short-term and long-term brand strategy - Monitoring business performance and translating data into opportunities or actions - Leading customer/shopper marketing and partnering with sales on ecommerce digital marketing - Managing portfolio strategy and assortment optimization - Guiding innovation through development, customer sell-in, and market launch - Leading diverse cross-functional teams with multiple stakeholders and time-sensitive deadlines ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, ability to translate data into insights and actions, and comfort with ambiguity in a growing and evolving organization. 📋 Key Responsibilities ✅ Report to the senior brand manager and own delivery of several aspects of the Kerrygold business in North America ✅ Contribute to the development and deployment of the short-term and long-term brand strategy ✅ Monitor business performance, translate data into opportunities or actions, and implement action plan on key metrics (market share, volume and revenue trends and drivers, competitive performance) ✅ Partner with sales to lead customer/shopper marketing, including partnering with sales on ecommerce digital marketing ✅ Manage portfolio strategy and assortment optimization with clearly defined roles for each segment of the business ✅ Lead monthly demand review process, develop and manage driver-based business & forecast model with demand planning ✅ Partner with NPD (innovation) team to guide innovation through development, customer sell-in, and lead new products through market launch with best in class support plans ✅ Lead diverse cross-functional teams with multiple stakeholders, complex inputs, and time sensitive deadlines ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong analytical skills, financial acumen, and the ability to work in a matrixed organization. 🎯 Required Qualifications Education: - Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred Experience: - 7+ years of experience, primarily in Consumer Goods (CPG) Required Skills: - Leads with curiosity - Strong analytical mindset, ability to translate data into insights and actions - Financial acumen, ability to navigate a P&L - Comfort with ambiguity and operating in a growing and evolving organization - Creative problem solver - Experience leading and working on cross-functional teams in matrixed organization - Proactive and action-oriented, sees opportunities to add value or optimize and takes action - Strong project management skills and attention to detail - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior business leaders 💰 Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $86,000 - $120,000 (based on experience) Benefits: - Healthcare - Pension - Paid Time Off - Maternity Leave - Flexible working - Fitness Reimbursement - Charity Donation - Complimentary Kerrygold products - Free car parking - Secure bicycle storage - Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office - Reward & Recognition program - Volunteering opportunities - Long Service Awards Working Hours: 40 hours per week 📌 Applicant Insights 🔍 Company Context Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees Founded: 1961 Company Description: Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its Member Co-ops; Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, it has annualised sales of over €3.4 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees. Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe. Company Specialties: Dairy Produce, Dairy Trading, Dairy Ingredients, Consumer Foods, Logistics, Supply Chain, Food Distribution, Speciality Foods, and New Product Development Company Website: http://www.ornua.com 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Mid-Senior level role with potential for growth within the brand team or across Ornua's global organization Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the senior brand manager, with potential exposure to senior business leaders and cross-functional teams Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time role with potential for flexible working arrangements Growth Opportunities: - Potential to take on additional responsibilities as the brand team grows - Opportunities to work on cross-functional projects and gain exposure to different aspects of the business - Possibility to move into a senior brand manager role or other leadership positions within Ornua 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with on-site amenities Office Location: Evanston, Illinois, United States Geographic Context: Evanston is a suburb of Chicago, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with a vibrant downtown area, beaches, and parks. It is known for its cultural attractions, including the Evanston Art Center and the Evanston Historical Society. Work Schedule: Standard business hours with potential for flexible scheduling and remote work arrangements 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Online application submission 2. Phone or video screening with the HR department 3. In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager or a member of the brand team 4. On-site interview with the brand team and potential stakeholders 5. Final interview with senior leadership Key Assessment Areas: - Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making - Strategic thinking and brand management expertise - Ability to work in a matrixed organization and lead cross-functional teams - Communication skills, both written and verbal - Cultural fit and alignment with Ornua's values Application Tips: - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role - Showcase your ability to translate data into insights and actions in your application materials - Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and ability to work in a matrixed organization ATS Keywords: Brand Manager, Consumer Goods, CPG, Data Analysis, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Portfolio Management, Innovation, Market Launch, P&L, Ambiguity, Problem Solving ASSUMPTION: The application process may take several weeks, and follow-up communication is encouraged. 🛠️ Tools & Technologies - Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) - Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) - Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello) - CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) - Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot) 👔 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Seek and Embrace New Ideas - Make It Happen - Be Our True Selves - Show You Care - Achieve Great Things Together Work Style: - Collaborative and inclusive team environment - High-performing and results-driven culture - Strong focus on continuous learning and development - Supportive and engaging leadership Self-Assessment Questions: - How do you approach new ideas and embrace change in a dynamic work environment? - Can you provide an example of a time when you took initiative to make something happen? - How do you demonstrate empathy and support for your colleagues and stakeholders? - Describe a situation where you had to work with a diverse team to achieve a common goal, and how did you ensure everyone's voices were heard? - How do you balance individual contributions with team success, and how do you hold yourself and others accountable for achieving great things together? ASSUMPTION: Ornua values candidates who are curious, proactive, and action-oriented, with a strong commitment to collaboration and continuous learning. ⚠️ Potential Challenges - Working in a matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders and complex inputs - Navigating a growing and evolving business environment with changing priorities and deadlines - Balancing short-term tactical needs with long-term strategic planning - Managing a portfolio of products with varying levels of maturity and growth potential - Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and innovation, to drive business results ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize and reprioritize tasks based on changing business needs. 📈 Similar Roles Comparison - Brand Manager (CPG): Focuses on a single brand or product, managing its entire lifecycle and working closely with cross-functional teams. This role is more focused on day-to-day brand management and less involved in strategic planning and portfolio management. - Product Manager (Tech): Oversees the development and launch of a single product or feature, working closely with engineering and design teams. This role is more focused on product development and less involved in post-launch marketing and portfolio management. - Senior Brand Manager (Retail): Manages a portfolio of retail brands or product categories, working closely with merchandising, marketing, and operations teams. This role is more focused on retail-specific aspects, such as merchandising and in-store execution, and less involved in strategic brand planning and digital marketing. ASSUMPTION: The Senior Associate Brand Manager role at Ornua is unique in its focus on strategic brand planning, portfolio management, and cross-functional team leadership within the consumer goods industry. 📝 Sample Projects - Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new Kerrygold product launch, including market research, competitive analysis, and customer segmentation - Conducting a portfolio review and optimization analysis, resulting in recommendations for product rationalization, pricing strategy, and SKU rationalization - Leading a cross-functional team to develop and implement a customer/shopper marketing campaign, including in-store promotions, digital marketing, and trade marketing initiatives - Partnering with the NPD team to guide the development and launch of a new Kerrygold product, including customer sell-in, market research, and launch planning - Analyzing business performance data and identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, resulting in data-driven recommendations for action ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and cross-functional nature of the Senior Associate Brand Manager role at Ornua. ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview - Can you describe the brand team's structure and how this role fits within the organization? - How does Ornua support the professional development and growth of its brand managers? - Can you provide an example of a successful brand initiative led by the brand team, and what was the team's role in its execution? - How does Ornua approach innovation and new product development within its brand portfolio? - What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the Kerrygold brand, and how are they tracked and reported? - How does Ornua collaborate with its Member Co-ops and other stakeholders to drive brand success? ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the brand team's structure, culture, and priorities, as well as the candidate's fit within the organization. 📝 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: 1. Submit your application through this link: [Application URL] 2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role 3. Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and ability to work in a matrixed organization 4. Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department after one week if you have not received a response 5. Research Ornua's brand portfolio, industry trends, and competitive landscape to demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparation for the role ⚠️ Disclaimer This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.