Senior Brand Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Manager

🔹 Company: Coupang

🔹 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site

🔹 Category: Retail, E-commerce

🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving brand strategies and expanding selection for existing brands
• Identifying and onboarding high-potential brands
• Improving business terms and driving top and bottom line of P&L
• Managing vendor/seller contracts and relationships
• Collaborating cross-functionally and leading key projects

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of retail and e-commerce, as well as excellent negotiation and communication skills. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make data-driven decisions.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own and manage P&L for respective brands, including forecasting, monitoring, and reporting on suppliers

✅ Manage new and existing brand relationships, expanding selection and improving business terms

✅ Negotiate business terms, promotional pricing, and funding, and partner with marketing teams to create and sell marketing budgets

✅ Create business plans for new opportunities and develop and execute project plans for new product launches

✅ Drive key projects to help drive sustained improvements across the larger Coupang Retail organization

✅ Coordinate across cross-functional teams and communicate with internal and external parties to meet tight deadlines

✅ Identify and prioritize high-potential vendors/sellers to join Coupang and lead the business development process end to end

✅ Generate and continually advance a pipeline of qualified leads based on entitlement and e-commerce readiness to deliver on new selection goals

✅ Coordinate with internal stakeholders to assist brands in navigating the onboarding and integration process

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, analytical, or related majors (mathematics, computer science/engineering, statistics, economics, etc.)

Experience: 4+ years of experience in buying, product management, vendor management, retail, or e-commerce

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in negotiating with internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency with Excel and extracting data through varied reporting tools
• Ability to understand multiple retail business models and their technical implementation
• Ability to prioritize work in a complex, fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with ambiguous problems

Preferred Skills:

• MBA or other relevant graduate degree
• Relevant experience in retail, operations, or e-commerce
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects
• Strong communication skills - speaking, writing, presenting, and negotiating
• Ability to operate simultaneously and effectively in both tactical and strategic modes
• A willingness to roll up sleeves to get things done

ASSUMPTION: While an MBA is preferred, relevant work experience and a strong track record of success in a similar role may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $83,000 - $154,000 per year, based on market location and job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K Plan with Company Match
• 18-21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, based on tenure
• 12 Public Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
• Free Electric Car Charging Station

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the Seattle area. The actual salary offered may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: E-commerce and Retail. Coupang is a leading force in South Korean commerce, known for its innovative approach to shopping, eating, and living.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large company, Coupang offers numerous opportunities for growth and career development.

Founded: 2010. Coupang has grown rapidly since its inception, expanding its services and establishing a strong reputation in the industry.

Company Description:

• Coupang exists to wow its customers, providing an epic experience in an always-on, high-tech, and hyper-connected world.
• The company pushes the boundaries of what's possible, solving problems and breaking traditional tradeoffs to build the future of commerce.
• Coupang offers a startup culture with the resources of a large global public company, providing opportunities for growth and innovation.

Company Specialties:

• Retail and E-commerce
• Technology and Operations
• IT and Internet Platform
• Customer Service

Company Website: Coupang Careers

ASSUMPTION: Coupang's focus on innovation and customer experience sets it apart in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid to Senior level. This role offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to drive meaningful change within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Manager will report directly to the Head of Brand Management or a similar role.

Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed. The role requires frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams and may involve travel to meet with vendors and partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding the brand portfolio and driving business growth
• Leading cross-functional projects and driving strategic initiatives
• Developing and mentoring junior team members
• Advancing to a leadership role within the Brand Management team or related function

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for growth and development, both within the Brand Management team and across the broader organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art technology and amenities.

Office Location(s): 720 Olive Way, Seattle, Washington 98101, US

Geographic Context:

• Seattle is a vibrant, tech-centric city with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.
• The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a thriving food scene.
• Seattle has a mild, marine climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work as needed. The role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: Seattle's dynamic tech industry and high quality of life make it an attractive location for professionals in the e-commerce and retail sectors.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the HR team
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Negotiation and communication skills
• Data analysis and project management skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Coupang's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of Coupang's business and the retail/e-commerce industry
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Research Coupang's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the organization

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Retail, E-commerce, Vendor Management, Negotiation, Data Analysis, Project Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Fast-paced Environment

ASSUMPTION: Coupang's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on finding candidates who can thrive in the organization's fast-paced, innovative environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, JIRA)
• Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)

ASSUMPTION: Coupang uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its operations and drive business growth. Familiarity with relevant software and a willingness to learn new tools as needed are essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-obsessed: We put our customers first in everything we do
• Bold: We dare to challenge the status quo and innovate
• Ambitious: We strive for excellence and continuous improvement

• Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals
• Entrepreneurial: We embrace a startup mindset and take ownership of our work

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on driving results and meeting tight deadlines
• Collaborative and cross-functional, with a focus on working effectively with various stakeholders
• Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data to inform decision-making
• Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to take on new challenges and learn new skills

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Coupang's company values?
• How do you approach working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines?
• How do you approach collaboration and working with cross-functional teams?
• How do you use data to inform decision-making and drive business growth?

ASSUMPTION: Coupang's culture is fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong focus on driving results and continuous improvement. Candidates who thrive in this environment and align with the company's values are most likely to succeed in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a high degree of autonomy and may involve working with minimal direction, requiring strong self-motivation and time management skills
• The fast-paced, dynamic environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment
• The role may require occasional travel to meet with vendors and partners, which may be challenging for candidates with family or personal commitments
• The role may involve working with tight deadlines and competing priorities, which may be stressful for candidates who struggle with time management or prioritization

ASSUMPTION: While Coupang offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, the role may present challenges that require strong self-motivation, time management, and adaptability.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other brand management roles, this position offers a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility, with the opportunity to drive meaningful change within the organization
• Compared to other roles in the retail and e-commerce industry, this position offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, with a focus on driving business growth and improving business terms
• Compared to other roles at Coupang, this position offers significant opportunities for growth and development, both within the Brand Management team and across the broader organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, with a focus on driving business growth and improving business terms. Candidates with relevant experience in brand management, retail, or e-commerce are well-positioned to succeed in this role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to expand the selection for an existing brand, including identifying high-potential vendors/sellers and negotiating business terms
• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the brand portfolio to identify opportunities for improvement and driving business growth
• Leading a cross-functional team to launch a new product or service, including managing the project timeline, coordinating with internal stakeholders, and driving key milestones

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and tactical responsibilities of the Senior Brand Manager role, with a focus on driving business growth and improving business terms.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure, and how does it contribute to Coupang's overall mission and goals?
• What are the key challenges facing the brand portfolio, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Coupang support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the organization's culture and priorities.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this Internal Transfer Request Form
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, negotiation experience, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Research Coupang's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role

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