Brand Strategy Senior Manager - Applegate (Bedminster, NJ)

Brand Strategy Senior Manager- APPLEGATE (BEDMINSTER, NJ)

To save time applying, Applegate Farms does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

ABOUT APPLEGATE FARMS  

Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients, and we source from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of our mission – Changing The Meat We Eat®.

Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means our food is:

• From animals Applegate humanely raised without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants
• From animals fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet (our beef is 100 percent grass-fed)
• Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
• Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives

Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting directly to the Sr Director of Innovation & Brand Equity, the Senior Manager, Brand Strategy is a key leadership position within the Emerging Brands Marketing team. This role will collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to create effective marketing strategies and oversee the campaign execution for Applegate and Justin’s brands that will fuel future growth. This role demands a visionary leader with a strong understanding of CPG, food, branding and marketing. The ideal person will be strategically minded and conceptually strong – understanding how to leverage data, insights and brand equity to tell compelling stories – with business & operational savvy. 

• Responsible for setting a holistic strategy for each brands’ seasonal campaigns & always on marketing and for guiding the briefing of agency partners and cross-functional counterparts. Campaigns may cover: featured products, new product launches, mission-based/CSR, licensing, branded strategic partnerships, industry thought leadership, etc. 
• Lead the execution of cohesive marketing strategies for seasonal and always on campaigns, including activities, content and some paid media, to meet organizational goals.
  • Establish the process, structure and flow to ensure brand objectives and project deadlines are met and all contributing teams are coordinating off the same playbook (aka the “Strategic Brief process”). Ensure projects remain in budget and utilize budget effectively.
  • Oversee relationships and serve as point person with some external partners and agencies. Support negotiations of contract terms and cost. 
• Manage team & workflows effectively 
  • Develop team objectives (annually, quarterly and monthly) and track performance.
  • Oversee project tracking & reporting systems and ensure team members utilize the systems to streamline work, leverage productivity and report on progress. 
  • Provide guidance, mentorship and career development opportunities to team members. Foster a collaborative, creative environment.
• Understand business, category, competitor, consumer and cultural dynamics impacting our brands.
• Turn data & insights into actionable strategies. Identify gaps and collaborate with insights and analytics teams to obtain the necessary information to inform decision making. 
• Build sound strategic frameworks including creative briefs, brand positioning and brand and message architectures to establish a strong campaign foundation.
• Lead planning of annual content calendar for all platforms (including presentations) as well as the monthly inform and update process across Marketing and Sales.
• Oversee three teams (Communications & Strategic Partnerships, Social Media & Brand Experience) and provide clear direction for development of content on owned platforms and paid channels. Direct reports will own day-to-day activities/content development and relationships within their specific functions. 
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional marketing partners—including Brand Management and Innovation, Creative, Digital Marketing & E-comm, Consumer Relations, and Insights—plus Mission, Sales, R&D and Project Management.
• 3 direct reports plus 3 indirect reports. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred in communications or marketing.
• 8-10 years experience in Marketing within a consumer environment. (time within a strategy, planning and/or account function in an agency or client-facing business is a plus)
• Direct experience with brand marketing fundamentals and consumer research.
• Has significant experience working on/for a food brand.
• Must have management experience building and motivating a team.
• Proven track record as a strategic leader and relationship builder with strong influencing and collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to support marketing plans in a professional and engaging manner; comfortable in front of senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines through diligent project management. Flexibility within a “high-change” environment is necessary.
• Embodies Applegate’s & Justin’s Changemaker traits: relentlessly and intelligently questions everything, perseveres with optimistic grit, and is agile, resourceful, and inventive.  
• Has a passion for food, keeps an eye on consumer and industry trends.
• Highly Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (PPT specifically). Experience with analytical & syndicated data tools (Nielson, IRI, SPINS, Etc.) and/or Adobe Suite a plus. 
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States
• Applicants must not now, or any time in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.

TRAVEL: Up to 20% travel

LOCATION: Bedminster, NJ

BENEFITS: Applegate Farms offers an excellent benefits package. Competitive base salary plus target incentive, annual merit increase performance reviews, medical, dental, vision, profit sharing, 401(k) immediate eligible, stock purchase plan, personal paid time. Relocation Assistance Program to eligible applicants, FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Applegate, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range.  The base hiring pay range for this role is between $109,000 - $153,000 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location. 

At Hormel Foods and Applegate we invite difference and diversity in all aspects.  We offer a space of support, understanding, and community.  We are committed to the journey!  Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

Hormel Foods and Applegate are an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Salary : $109,000 - $153,000