📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sheba Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Mars
🔹 Location: Tokyo, Japan
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-15
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing brand and business management for Care & Treats and Wet categories in Sheba brand
- Planning and executing strategies for short and mid-term business objectives
- Leading product development and go-to-market strategies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Driving a Productive Way of Working and team engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead planning and execution of strategies to achieve short-term brand/business objectives for assigned categories
✅ Manage P/L and brand health for assigned categories
✅ Lead creation of mid/long term growth strategy of assigned categories, including new sub-category creation and pipeline development
✅ Lead planning and launch of new products with winning propositions and go-to market strategies for assigned categories
✅ Collaborate and support Sheba brand manager to plan total Sheba brand strategies from both short and mid-term perspectives
✅ Manage relationship with internal/external key stakeholders as category lead of Sheba brand
✅ Support activations to enhance Marketing team’s engagement and performance with other marketing associates
✅ Co-lead and Co-create activations to enhance cross-functional WoW and engagement
✅ Drive a Productive Way of Working and team engagement and talent development
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, and stakeholder communication, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in FMCG Marketing or equivalent experience with strong achievement record
Required Skills:
- Strong communication skills in both Japanese and English
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Project management and stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional team collaboration
- Ability to drive a Productive Way of Working
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the pet care industry
- Familiarity with Mars' products and brands
- Knowledge of the Japanese market
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in FMCG marketing and strong communication skills in both Japanese and English are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: ¥7,000,000 - ¥10,000,000 per year (based on industry standards for mid-level marketing roles in Tokyo)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Global and regional exposure
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hybrid work arrangement (2 days/week in office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for mid-level marketing roles in Tokyo. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global) - Large, established company with significant resources and opportunities for growth
Founded: 1911 (Global) - Mars has a long history and strong brand presence worldwide
Company Description:
- Mars is a family-owned business with a rich history and a strong commitment to its Five Principles
- Mars operates in various segments, including Mars Petcare, Mars Food, Mars Edge, and Mars Wrigley
- Mars is committed to sustainability and responsible business practices
Company Specialties:
- Pet care products
- Food products
- Confectionery
- Health and nutrition
Company Website: Mars.com
ASSUMPTION: Mars is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a commitment to its core values.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Sheba Brand Manager
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days/week in office) with opportunities for domestic and overseas business travel
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career progression within the Mars organization
- Exposure to global and regional marketing strategies
- Opportunities to work on innovative and impactful projects
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large, established organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)
Office Location(s): Tokyo, Japan
Geographic Context:
- Tokyo is a major global city with a vibrant business environment
- Tokyo offers a mix of traditional and modern culture, with numerous attractions and entertainment options
- Tokyo has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Mars team
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Communication skills in Japanese and English
- Project management and stakeholder engagement
- Cultural fit with Mars' values and work environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Research Mars' products, brands, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit
ATS Keywords: Brand management, FMCG marketing, strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, Japanese language skills, English language skills
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary depending on the specific needs of the hiring team and the volume of applicants.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required may vary depending on the projects and teams the candidate works with.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality - The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal
- Responsibility - As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others
- Mutuality - A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure
- Efficiency - We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best
- Freedom - We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering value
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate your commitment to Mars' Five Principles in your daily work?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals?
- How do you balance short-term objectives with long-term strategic planning?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should align with Mars' core values and work style to ensure a strong cultural fit.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
- Balancing short-term objectives with long-term strategic planning
- Working effectively in a hybrid work environment
- Adapting to a large, established organization with a strong company culture
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Brand Manager (FMCG) - Similar role with a focus on brand management and strategic planning in the FMCG industry
- Marketing Manager (Consumer Goods) - Similar role with a broader scope, including brand management, product management, and channel marketing
- Senior Brand Manager (Pet Care) - Similar role with more experience required, focusing on strategic brand management and innovation in the pet care industry
ASSUMPTION: These roles share similarities in terms of required skills, industry context, and career path progression.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new product launch in the Care & Treats category
- Conducting market research and analysis to inform brand strategy and positioning for the Sheba brand
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement a marketing campaign to drive brand awareness and engagement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the role and the opportunity to work on impactful initiatives.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for the Sheba brand and Mars Petcare division?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does Mars support the professional growth and development of its marketing associates?
- What are the key challenges facing the Sheba brand in the Japanese market, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Mars approach sustainability and responsible business practices in its marketing strategies?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and 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, including strategic thinking and problem-solving examples
- Prepare for interviews by researching Mars' products, brands, and company culture
- Follow up with the hiring team within one week of your application submission
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
