What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biscotti Brand Lead position at Nonni's?
NONNI’S FOODS, LLC
Position: Biscotti Brand Lead
Department: Marketing
Reports To: VP of Marketing / CMO
Location: Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office)
About Nonni’s Foods
Nonni’s Foods is crafting premium baked experiences that bring joy to everyday moments. For over 30 years, we’ve been baking authentic Italian biscotti and specialty cookies that deliver both indulgence and quality — thin, crispy, and made with real ingredients like almonds, dark chocolate, and olive oil.
As consumer expectations evolve toward clean labels, better ingredients, and mindful indulgence, Nonni’s is perfectly positioned at the intersection of premium quality and accessible luxury. We’ve built the leading biscotti brand in America and expanded into complementary platforms including thin & crispy cookies, biscuit thins, and artisan toast — all baked with the same craft and care that defined our founding.
Our products are found in most major retailers nationwide including Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, and Amazon, with growing distribution as part of the Ferrero family since October 2024.
Now backed by Ferrero — one of the world’s most respected family-owned food companies — Nonni’s is entering an exciting new chapter. We’re combining our artisan baking heritage with Ferrero’s global scale and resources to become their North American growth platform for premium baked goods, while staying true to the quality and authenticity that made Nonni’s a household name.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven Biscotti Brand Lead to own the full P&L and brand strategy for Nonni’s and LDV biscotti platforms. This role is accountable for delivering against PS3 goals through brand planning, innovation leadership, integrated communications, and cross-functional commercial execution. The ideal candidate is a seasoned CPG marketer with deep brand management experience, strong analytical capability, and the ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Brand Ownership & P&L Accountability:
- Own the full P&L: Net Revenue, Gross Margin, A&P, and Contribution Margin, ensuring the delivery against PS3 goals.
- Build and deliver BDG and PS3 in partnership with Finance, Sales, and RGM.
- Monitor performance vs. plan and lead corrective actions to protect margin and growth targets.
- Own and manage the brand’s A&P budget, ensuring efficient allocation across media, shopper, and innovation.
Brand Strategy & Planning:
- Develop and execute the annual brand plan aligned to the PS3 strategic goals, including volume, GM, equity, and share growth.
- Understand market and consumer dynamics and translate them into a Brand Growth Algorithm (media, shopper, innovation, and portfolio management) by setting actions, KPIs, and priorities.
- Own brand positioning (in alignment with S&I), price/pack architecture (PPA), and portfolio priorities.
Innovation & Renovation Leadership:
- Lead the development and validation of proximity innovation and renovation initiatives, from concept through commercialization.
- Lead the commercialization team: brief cross-functional teams, guide feasibility, validate consumer demand (qual/quant), and ensure readiness for launch.
- Collaborate with the S&I team to size the potential of breakthrough innovation, define the marketing mix, and execute the consumer validation funnel.
- Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, and Regulatory to ensure product specs, cost targets, and claims are aligned.
- Conduct post-launch reviews to assess velocity, repeat, incrementality, and equity impact.
Communication & Activation:
- Lead IAT briefings and partner with creative, media, PR/social, and shopper agencies to develop integrated campaigns.
- Ensure consistent use of distinctive brand assets across all touchpoints.
- Partner with Sales and Trade Marketing to develop retailer-specific and omnichannel activation plans.
Commercial Execution & Forecasting:
- Collaborate with Sales and Supply Chain to ensure accurate forecasts in the S&OP process.
- Shape 3-year volume plans to guide capacity and supply decisions.
- Monitor and optimize promotional effectiveness and media ROI, in collaboration with Trade Marketing and the FUSA media team.
Portfolio & Merchandising:
- Liaise with Sales to identify portfolio gaps and lead development of new pack formats to address consumer and customer needs.
- Work with Category Management and Trade Marketing to build compelling sell-in stories and merchandising strategies.
People Management:
- Nurture an effective working relationship with cross-functional partners and external/ecosystem stakeholders.
- Lead, motivate, and develop marketing capabilities and management skills of team members.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- 7 years of experience in brand management within CPG, with a strong track record in P&L ownership and innovation leadership.
- Proven experience developing and executing integrated brand plans across media, shopper, and trade channels.
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Nielsen/IRI/Circana syndicated data, financial modeling, and Excel.
- Experience managing agencies and cross-functional commercialization teams.
Required Skills:
- Excellent strategic thinking with the ability to translate consumer and market insights into actionable brand plans.
- Strong leadership and communication skills to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
- Results-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Deep understanding of brand equity, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics.
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment and drive continuous improvement across brand and commercial initiatives.
Work Environment and Benefits:
- Full-time position based in Chicago, IL; office is in the Old Post Office.
- Hybrid Schedule: onsite in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus annual performance bonus.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans (401k), and paid time off.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Nonni's Foods, LLC, we believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our ability to serve our customers and communities. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. We actively seek to create a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we delight.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status,
disability, age, and all other protected characteristics.
We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering a
workplace culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.
Nonni's Foods, LLC | A Ferrero Company
Equal Opportunity