Senior Brand Manager - Innovation

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Manager - Innovation

🔹 Company: Well Enterprises

🔹 Location: Chicago, IL, USA

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Brand Management, Innovation

🔹 Date Posted: January 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing innovation strategies to support brand growth
• Leading consumer insights research and deriving meaningful insights
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and launch new products
• Guiding marketing and sales partnerships to drive innovation success
• Managing projects and teams to deliver winning innovation

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in brand management, consumer insights, and product development. Experience in the food and beverage industry is a plus.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute innovation strategies that support brand growth

✅ Lead consumer insights research and derive meaningful insights to inform innovation

✅ Collaborate with R&D, procurement, and operations to develop differentiated products

✅ Guide marketing and sales partnerships to drive innovation success

✅ Manage projects and teams to deliver winning innovation

✅ Participate in buyer meetings and develop channel-led innovation opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of collaboration and project management skills. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in brand management, with a focus on innovation

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in developing and executing successful innovation strategies
• Expertise in consumer insights research and data analysis
• Strong project management and team leadership skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the food and beverage industry
• Fluency in Spanish

ASSUMPTION: While a background in the food and beverage industry is not required, it would be beneficial for the candidate to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in this sector.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager in Chicago)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Employee discounts on Wells products

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend and evening work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager in Chicago. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Well Enterprises is a leading manufacturer of ice cream and frozen novelties, operating in the competitive food and beverage industry.

Company Size: With over 4,000 employees, Well Enterprises is a large company with significant resources and opportunities for growth.

Founded: In 1913, Well Enterprises was founded by Fred H. Wells and has been run by the Wells family for generations. In 2019, the company became an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet packaged foods.

Company Description:

• Headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, with production facilities in Le Mars, Henderson, NV, and Dunkirk, NY
• Produces over 900 ice cream and frozen novelties treats under brands such as Blue Bunny and Bomb Pop
• Distributes products across the nation through grocery, convenience, club stores, mobile vending trucks, and foodservice settings

Company Specialties:

• Ice cream and frozen novelties
• Innovation and product development
• Brand management and marketing

Company Website: www.wellsenterprisesinc.com

ASSUMPTION: Well Enterprises is a well-established company with a strong brand and a commitment to innovation. The company's size and resources provide opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior level, reporting directly to the Marketing Director, Innovation. It offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to drive strategic initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Manager, Innovation will report to the Marketing Director, Innovation and work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, procurement, operations, marketing, and sales.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the opportunity for occasional remote work. The candidate should be comfortable working in a hybrid or on-site environment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance to a director or vice president role within the marketing or innovation functions
• Opportunities to lead cross-functional projects and teams, developing leadership and management skills
• Chance to gain experience in a large, established company with a strong brand and commitment to innovation

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance within the marketing or innovation functions or take on broader leadership responsibilities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The Chicago office is a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.

Office Location(s): 1 Blue Bunny Drive, Le Mars, Iowa 51031, US

Geographic Context:

• Chicago is a major metropolitan area with a diverse population and a vibrant cultural scene
• The city offers a range of housing options, from urban apartments to suburban homes
• Chicago has a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters

Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend and evening work as needed. The company offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours.

ASSUMPTION: The Chicago office provides a modern, collaborative work environment, and the city offers a range of housing options and cultural attractions. The work schedule is flexible, with the opportunity for remote work and flexible hours.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with cross-functional stakeholders
• Case study or presentation exercise
• Final interview with the marketing director or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and innovation skills
• Consumer insights and data analysis abilities
• Project management and team leadership skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience in brand management, consumer insights, and product development
• Include specific examples of successful innovation strategies you've developed and executed
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences
• Prepare for case study or presentation exercises by researching the company and its products

ATS Keywords: Innovation strategy, consumer insights, product development, cross-functional teams, marketing partnerships, sales partnerships, project management

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, innovation skills, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Consumer insights research tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for brand management and consumer insights positions. The candidate should be comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite, consumer insights research tools, project management tools, and data analysis tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality: We strive for excellence in everything we do
• Innovation: We embrace change and continuously seek new ways to improve
• Integrity: We act with honesty and fairness in all our interactions
• Collaboration: We work together to achieve our goals

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on results and execution
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration
• Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using data to inform decision-making

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• Are you comfortable working cross-functionally and collaborating with stakeholders?
• Do you have a strong analytical mindset and a data-driven approach to decision-making?

ASSUMPTION: Well Enterprises values a fast-paced, collaborative, and data-driven work environment. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in this type of environment and will be able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a high level of collaboration and project management skills, which can be challenging in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• The role involves working with a wide range of stakeholders, including R&D, procurement, operations, marketing, and sales, which can present unique challenges and opportunities
• The role requires a strong understanding of consumer insights and data analysis, which can be challenging for candidates without a background in market research or data analysis
• The role is based in Chicago, which may present challenges for candidates who are not familiar with the city or the Midwest region

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges of this role are related to the fast-paced, dynamic work environment, the wide range of stakeholders involved, and the requirement for a strong understanding of consumer insights and data analysis. The role is also based in Chicago, which may present challenges for candidates who are not familiar with the city or the Midwest region.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Senior Brand Manager role in a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, but with a focus on innovation and new product development
• The role requires a strong understanding of consumer insights and data analysis, similar to a market research or consumer insights manager role
• The role offers significant growth opportunities, similar to a management trainee or rotational program role

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to a Senior Brand Manager role in a CPG company, but with a focus on innovation and new product development. The role requires a strong understanding of consumer insights and data analysis, similar to a market research or consumer insights manager role. The role offers significant growth opportunities, similar to a management trainee or rotational program role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing an innovation strategy for a new product launch
• Conducting consumer insights research to inform product development and positioning
• Managing a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new product, from concept to in-market execution

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects for this role are focused on developing and executing innovation strategies, conducting consumer insights research, and managing cross-functional teams to develop and launch new products.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's long-term innovation strategy and how this role fits into that strategy?
• How does the company approach cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible work arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: The key questions to ask during the interview for this role focus on the company's long-term innovation strategy, cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management, the key priorities for the role in the first 90 days, professional development and growth opportunities, and work-life balance and flexible work arrangements.

📌 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 skills and experiences in brand management, consumer insights, and product development
• Prepare for case study or presentation exercises by researching the company and its products
• Follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter within one week of submitting your application

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