BM, Kinder Joy Licensing & Special Projects

Job Location: Parsippany

Company description

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

About the Role:

The Kinder team is looking for a dynamic and intellectually curious Brand Manager for Kinder Licenses & Special Projects, who can hit the ground running! Reporting to the Kinder Joy Director, you will help build and execute the vision for leadership within the category in the US and implement plans for innovation in both the short and long term.

In this role, you'll need to bring a blend of strong analytical and project management skills, paired with a high attention to detail and a creative mindset. You will oversee the day-to-day operations of the brand, leading a cross-functional team to drive product innovation. You will collaborate with our agency and internal partners to develop and execute integrated marketing communications plans and create world-class creative that stands out in the competitive and fragmented chocolate category.

Additionally, you will focus on driving the growth of the Kinder Joy brand in the US market by:

• Increasing brand awareness, consideration, and equity.
• Boosting household penetration.
• Delivering integrated marketing campaigns for the toys innovation pipeline.
• Expanding and developing channels to maximize the potential of the existing assortment.
• Enhancing accessibility and visibility in-store and throughout the purchase journey.

This position is Hybrid, and will be based out of our HQ in Parsippany, NJ

Main Responsibilities:

Business and Brand Analysis, Monitoring and Reporting

• Analyzes business and brand results to ensure strategies are working and objectives are being realized, recommending course correction where relevant
• Prepares and creates engaging, meaningful and persuasive presentations
• Owns and actively manages brand marketing budget (planning, revisions and reporting)

New Product Launches and Commercialization

• Manages in full autonomy the activity grid implementation and innovation development (from concept through launch)
• Leads the cross-functional team (project planning, development and execution)
• Leads relations with global teams for activity grid alignments and approvals
• Works closely with Category management and Trade Marketing to develop compelling sell-in stories/toolkits to ensure customer acceptance of innovation
• Works closely with supply and demand teams to ensure product and toy availability and forecast accuracy

Brand Equity, Communications and Shopper Planning and Execution

• Works autonomously with agencies partners and internal partners across Media, E-commerce, Shopper and PR in executing integrated marketing plans
• Collaborates with agency partners in creative and asset development for use in consumer and shopper activation
• Sets and tracks KPIs, offering recommendations for optimization of plans/assets

Leadership and self-management

• Comfortable with multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment
• Inter-departmental integration and engagement (Trade marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and Legal) to assist in the planning and execution of initiatives
• Able to lead relations with agencies (PR, media, packaging)
• Comfortable with presenting in front of senior management

Who we are looking for:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in consumer-packaged goods brand marketing
• Experience working with syndicated databases; i.e. Circana, ACNielsen
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects within scheduled timelines
• Possesses solid project management skills (planning, execution and assessment)
• Well-versed infForecasting and budget management
• Knowledge of key trade channels (Convenience, Food, Drug, Mass, Club, e-Com)
• P&L management and global/upstream marketing experience are a plus
• Experience managing licenses and partnerships is a plus

Mind-set and Skills:

• Passion, energy and drive to work with world-class brands
• Must be self-motivated and exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit
• Excellent analytical skills upon which to base decision-making
• Business acumen, with a knack for turning data into insights and recommendations
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Structured and organized in managing projects and timelines
• Team player able to effectively work with multi-functional team
• Motivation to advance in a merit-based, multinational organization
• Adaptable to foreign cultures

How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you'll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Diversity Statement

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.