Brand Manager

About Kernel Season’s & Spice Hunter:

Kernel Season’s is America’s #1 Popcorn Seasoning, and with 30 fun flavors of popcorn seasonings we make movie nights more fun! Kernel Season’s is widely distributed across grocery stores, mass, e-Comm and theaters. In addition to Kernel Season’s, this Brand Manager will oversee Spice Hunter – a premium, gourmet spice brand with a broad portfolio of spices and distribution in natural and traditional channels (e.g., Sprouts, Kroger & more).

Overall Goal of Position:

We are looking for an experienced CPG Brand Manager with 5-7 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG). The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and executing brand & e-commerce strategies, supporting product innovation, and driving retail narratives. This role requires a mix of strategic thinking, critical problem solving, data analysis, and creative marketing.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Marketing Director, the Brand Manager will be responsible for developing brand growth strategies, executing marketing and innovation plans, managing marketing budgets, and managing the P&L. We are seeking a high performer that can succeed in a fast-paced environment and lead cross-functional teams in executing against growth plans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Leadership: Support strategic and in-depth analysis of our category and CPG more broadly. Tapping into noteworthy and category driving trends and insights across food but also specific to our product portfolio pillars.
• Customer Story: Work with the category management team to help drive customer stories.
• Brand Strategy: Work alongside director to help build as well as execute brand strategies that drive sales growth, awareness, and engagement.
• Product Innovation: Identify market trends, support consumer research, and collaborate with team to bring new products to market.
• General Manager Mindset: This role will wear many hats. It is a critical skillset to approach all aspects of the job with the mindset of a business operator not only just focusing on Marketing.
• Marketing Campaigns: Help to lead integrated marketing campaigns, including digital, social media, retail promotions, and traditional advertising.
• Retail & E-Commerce Growth: Partner with E-comm team and retail teams to develop retail and online strategies, ensuring a strong brand presence across key distribution channels.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams, including Sales, R&D, and Operations, as well as external agencies and retail partners.
• Agency Management: Work with our agency partners to execute our brand strategies through media planning and buying as well as with creative expressions of our brand in both social and digital content.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor directed key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Technology Proficiency: Using tools such as excel to enhance or leverage ways of working and completing tasks.

What We Are Looking For:

• Personal Characteristics
• “Ownership” mentality about role and assigned tasks
• Is comfortable with a high level of accountability
• Fun, outgoing, energetic, and results oriented personality
• Self-starter, comfortable working independently with limited direction
• Overall confidence in one’s abilities and comfortable communicating the facts
• Smart, creative and inquisitive
• Highly organized and strong willed in the face of inertia
• No excuses mindset
• Dependable team player with positive attitude
• Personal values that mesh with SBI values
• Passion for strong brands
• Education & Experience
• 5-7 years of brand management experience preferably in the CPG industry
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, or Business (MBA is a plus).
• Proven experience in developing and executing marketing campaigns and brand strategies.
• Very organized with proven methods to keep projects and processes on track.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret consumer and sales data.
• Experience with cross-functional teams in CPG.
• Proficient in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with budget planning budget management.
• Knowledge of retail and e-commerce marketing strategies.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Passion for the food industry.
• Experience with Neilsen or Circana a plus.
• Other
• Candidate will work out of Richmond, Virginia office with a hybrid schedule of 50% in person and 50% remote.

What Is In It For You?

Our company acknowledges talented people are attracted to companies that provide competitive pay, comprehensive benefits packages and outstanding advancement opportunities. For this reason we offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:

• 401K
• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• Vacation, Sick Days and Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee and Dependent Life Insurance
• Voluntary Disability Insurance
• Other Voluntary Insurance Options

Sauer Brands, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.