Senior Brand Manager, Kinder Surprise & Seasonal

About the Role

We have a current opening for a Senior Brand Manager Kinder Surprise & Seasonal and are actively reviewing applications.

This position is responsible for managing activities that drive profitable growth and development of existing and new/developing platforms (i.e. Innovation/toys) within the assigned portfolio and brands. The incumbent will, in collaboration with the Country Brand Lead, develop recommendations and detailed plans to successfully launch and profitably manage the brands, in agreement with global and North American objectives and priorities. This includes the definition of positioning and detailed strategies for Brand(s) in scope, developing and implementing ideas, projects and other required actions, by monitoring and managing costs (e.g. advertising, promo, research spend) to keep them within budget boundaries. Active collaboration with Canadian Kinder brand team, cross-functional and with US and Global brand teams will be an essential part of day-to-day business management and success.

• Drive bottom-up, detailed launch and go-to-market plans for new innovations and toy collections, balancing the priorities of Global management, local marketing realities and Sales/Trade Marketing demands.
• Leverage a deep understanding of the target consumer, the category and competition in the development of consumer and brand insights, as well as the marketing programs responding to these insights.
• Develop presentations to profitably manage the brands in Canada, in agreement with global objectives and priorities.
• Lead the briefing and execution of annual Media and Promotional plans, managing the agencies and driving innovative thinking relative to the portfolio and within the Powerbrand goals
• Collaborate and align with Canadian cross-functional, US brand and Global brand teams to develop and execute range and merchandising optimization across a 3-year horizon
• Manage operational recommendations, planning and oversight for products in market, including volume proposals, budget management, consumer promotions, etc in order to achieve annual targets.
• Together with Supply Chain and Trade Marketing, manage production planning to ensure on-time delivery to clients
• Coach, support and develop two direct reports, in line with Ferrero Line Manager Excellence.

Main Responsibilities:

Marketing Strategic Planning

• Support the development of brand targets, sales mix, net sales, gross margin and marketing contribution for the portfolio
• Supports VP Marketing in preparing the annual strategic plan plans defining volumes, P&L, activity plan, etc pertaining to the Innovation/toy collection portfolio

Portfolio Strategy

• Defines actual / future positioning in comparison with competitors’ actions
• Shares with VP Mktg new product development (NPD) strategy for approval, leading related projects. Proposes strategic SKUs
• Determines the pricing and mix strategy for portfolio that can achieve local and global financial hurdles

Communication and Media

• Shapes and implements the advertising strategies (copy strategy, target segments and consumers, etc.) relating to the portfolio role
• Adapt North American or Global creatives assets for local market implementation
• Communicates the media plan brief to the media planning responsible; monitors and controls the outputs related to brand plans
• Ensures clearing of legal requirements related to commercials (property rights for audio/music, relations with actors, agencies, speakers, testimonials etc.)
• Works effectively with local Media manager and local inter-agency team

Promotions

• Advance the development of integrated marketing campaigns including strategic promotions with supporting in-store merchandising materials (where applicable)
• Cooperates with the Legal Department to deliver required information in order to set up promotions and sponsorship-related contracts
• Evaluates the performance of promotions, sponsorships or co-marketing activities
• Adapt brand plans as required, to meet the needs of the business to achieve the business targets

Business Follow Up

• Takes part in demand & supply planning process, Logistics and Trade Marketing departments
• Leads Sales / Consumer KPIs monitoring and follow-up, e.g. monthly / regular analysis of market/panel data and proposal of the so what/action plan
• Leads business reporting monthly for Category Reviews (local, North America, Global)

Budget

• Allocate and manage marketing innovation brand spending; develop P&Ls in order to manage profitability and optimize investment
• Demonstrate a Ferrero-first mindset to make budget recommendations for Kinder Surprise and Seasonal within the context of the Kinder Masterbrand A&P budget and portfolio goals

Research

• Participates in proposal, implementation (e.g. brief) and follow up of strategic projects, e.g. studies which deal with strategic issues such as Exploratory subjects, Uses & Habits, Insights, Brand positioning
• Proposal, implementation (e.g. brief) and follow up of operational improvement projects follow-up, e.g. studies which deal with operational issues such as pre and post test, performance of new packaging, market data monitoring, assortment, pricing, etc.

Human Resources / Team Management & Development

• Accountable for managing people assigned, ensuring a management system based on Group values, motivation, competence development and empowerment
• Recruits, manages, motivates, coaches and develops own team
• Guarantees Human Resources professional development, evaluating people and proposing development initiatives
• Performance Management - Set high standards for individual and team performance; empower them and hold them accountable for results.

About You:

• BA or Masters in Business and/or Marketing
• 6-8+ years experience in CPG Brand Marketing
• Strong analytical skills and fact-based decision making
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to simplify and create concise, compelling narratives in Powerpoint
• Experience in translating data into insights and actions
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and conflicting demands to deliver results
• Adept at Strategic Influencing, delivering without formal authority
• Strong knowledge of cross-functional interdependencies; able to influence the internal network to drive results
• Passion, energy, detail-orientation and a drive to work with world-class brands
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Powerpoint, Word; SAP knowledge a plus)
• Experience with Budget and P&L management
• Self-motivated and results-driven with a positive, “can-do” attitude
• Sensitive and adaptable to foreign cultures and languages
• An adaptable, creative thinker and problem solver
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, able to effectively interact and work cross-functionally

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

Our Benefits & Perks:

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base salary range for this position is $109,987 - $146,649 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero:

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero:

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 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.

Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.