Sr. Brand Manager, Pet - Minneapolis, MN

Job Title: Senior Brand Manager, Pet - Minneapolis, MN

Company: General Mills

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Management

Date Posted: May 19, 2025

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading Blue Buffalo’s $450 million Cat Feeding business and shaping its future.
• Driving strategy and demand generation to achieve growth targets.
• Managing cross-functional teams and coaching talent.
• Collaborating with Whitebridge team to build holistic General Mills Cat Feeding strategies.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and experience in the pet industry. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading through ambiguity and operating with independence.

📋 Key Responsibilities

Build Brands: Lead purpose-driven brand and channel strategies rooted in deep consumer insights and cultural understanding. Develop and execute integrated marketing plans across media, content, innovation, and retail to drive long-term brand equity and short-term demand.

Run the Business: Own P&L performance and deliver growth through strategic choices across pricing, promotion, innovation, margin, and distribution. Lead annual and long-range planning, forecasting, and business performance analysis. Navigate complex cross-functional relationships to deliver cohesive results.

Lead Teams: Act as a collaborative leader, guiding cross-functional teams through ambiguity to achieve alignment and execution. Coach and develop Associate Brand Managers and early-career talent, fostering a growth-oriented, high-performing, and accountable team environment.

ASSUMPTION: Success in this role requires strong strategic thinking skills, the ability to manage ambiguity, creativity, commercial orientation, and an enterprise mindset.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in Brand Management, Marketing, Consulting, Strategy, or related fields

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in Brand Management, with a focus on the pet industry
• Strong strategic thinking skills
• Ability to manage ambiguity and operate with independence
• Proven experience in P&L management and driving growth
• Excellent communication and influencing skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with customer-facing strategies and external partnerships
• Demonstrated curiosity and empathy for pets, consumers, and selling channels

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the pet industry, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics. They will also possess excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $124,200 - $207,100 / Annually

Benefits:

• Health Benefits
• Retirement and Financial Wellbeing
• Time Off Programs
• Wellbeing Support
• Perks

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range reflects the numerous factors considered in hiring decisions, including education, skills, work experience, certifications, and more. General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on overall well-being.

📊 Applicant Insights

Company Context

Industry: Manufacturing, specifically Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1928

Company Description:

• General Mills exists to make food the world loves, prioritizing being a force for good
• A place to expand learning, explore new perspectives, and reimagine new possibilities every day
• Looks for bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together

Company Specialties:

• Food Production
• Marketing
• Consumer Packaged Goods and CPG

Company Website: General Mills

ASSUMPTION: General Mills is a large, established company in the CPG industry, known for its iconic brands and commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

📈 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level role with significant responsibilities and growth opportunities

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing for Blue Buffalo and collaborates with the Whitebridge team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 days on-site per week, offering flexibility for work-life balance

Growth Opportunities:

• Leading a significant business with a $450 million budget
• Potential to work closely with senior leadership and influence company strategy
• Opportunities to collaborate with the Whitebridge team and shape the future of General Mills Cat Feeding

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to lead a large business, influence strategy, and collaborate with senior leadership.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with 3 days on-site per week

Office Location: Minneapolis, MN

Geographic Context:

• Minneapolis is a midwestern city known for its vibrant arts and culture scene
• Offers a variety of neighborhoods and housing options
• Has a strong job market with numerous opportunities in various industries

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: Minneapolis offers a diverse urban environment with a mix of urban and suburban living options, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and a strong job market.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring team
• Final interviews with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Industry knowledge and passion for pets and pet care
• Leadership and team management skills
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a dynamic environment

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant industry experience and achievements
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the pet industry and consumer behavior
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Pet Industry, Strategic Thinking, P&L Management, Team Leadership, Retail Partnerships, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Strategy, Growth Opportunities

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, industry knowledge, leadership skills, and cultural fit with General Mills.

🛠️ Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Bold Thinking

Work Style:

• Collaborative and inclusive
• Focused on driving results through teamwork
• Encourages innovation and calculated risk-taking

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with General Mills' values of integrity, collaboration, and bold thinking?
• How do you approach working in a collaborative, inclusive team environment?
• How do you balance driving results with fostering a positive, inclusive work culture?

ASSUMPTION: General Mills values candidates who embody their core values, work collaboratively, and drive results through teamwork.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large P&L with competing priorities and stakeholders
• Navigating a complex, matrixed organization
• Balancing short-term demands with long-term brand building
• Adapting to a dynamic, evolving industry and consumer landscape

ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, including managing a large P&L, navigating a complex organization, balancing short-term demands with long-term brand building, and adapting to industry and consumer changes.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other senior brand management positions, but with a focus on the pet industry and a larger business size
• Offers more significant P&L management responsibilities and growth opportunities compared to smaller brand management roles
• Requires a deeper understanding of the pet industry, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior brand management positions, it offers unique challenges and growth opportunities specific to the pet industry and General Mills' business size.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a successful marketing campaign for a new pet food product launch
• Conducting consumer research to identify unmet pet owner needs and inform product development
• Negotiating retail partnerships to secure prime shelf space and promotional support for Blue Buffalo brands

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and collaborative nature of the role, requiring a strong understanding of the pet industry, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How do you approach developing and executing integrated marketing plans for a pet food brand?
• Can you describe your experience working with retail partners to secure shelf space and promotional support?
• How do you balance short-term demands with long-term brand building strategies?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in the pet industry or consumer behavior?
• How do you foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment, and coach team members to drive results?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions focus on the candidate's strategic thinking, industry knowledge, leadership skills, and adaptability, providing insights into their fit for the role and General Mills' culture.

🛠️ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the provided link
• Prepare for phone or video screens with the hiring manager, focusing on your strategic thinking, industry knowledge, and leadership skills
• Research General Mills and the pet industry to demonstrate your passion and understanding
• Prepare for on-site or virtual interviews with the hiring team, focusing on your cultural fit and adaptability
• Follow up with the hiring manager after each interview step, expressing your enthusiasm and reiterating your qualifications

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