Associate Manager, Category Management - Baskin-Robbins

About the role

Supports the category management for Baskin-Robbins U.S. core and existing product lines for Cakes and Take Home. This role supports the execution of product launches, maintenance of category programs, and tactics to drive sales and profit for an iconic brand. The Associate Category Management Manager collaborates with the Manager of Category Management and Director of Category Management and Culinary Innovation to define product marketing objectives and strategies for the upcoming year and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the execution of product launches and category programs for Cakes and Take Home categories.
• Supports the successful execution of product launches and category programs through readiness materials, planograms, testing, communications, and collaboration.
• Partners with digital and IT teams to support the category on digital channels and technology (POS).
• Drafts category menu and pricing strategies and culinary and creative briefs based on ongoing performance, competition, macroeconomic trends, and consumer insights.
• Ensures the product positioning and story comes to life across all marketing assets and readiness materials.
• Partners with the Category Management Manager and Director to define product marketing objectives and strategies.
• Works with the Director to define and refine product and category strategies to meet brand business objectives.
• Supports product-focused programs to drive sales and traffic grounded in a compelling business case, including sales and profit forecasts and franchisee profitability evaluation.
• Assists with the development of the brand product calendar and ad-hoc projects, presentations, and reports to support the Director of Category Management and Baskin-Robbins Marketing team.
• Becomes an expert in the categories to overcome challenges, define, and execute opportunities for growth.
• Energizes the team, agencies, and system around marketing programs.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders such as Culinary Innovation, Brand Experience, Integrated Marketing Communications, Restaurant Excellence, Supply Chain, POS, Franchisees, and others to develop and launch products.
• Collaborates with and provides constructive feedback to agency partners, co-brand partners, and vendors to improve how products are executed for consumers.

Requirements

• 4-year degree in Marketing, Business Management, or related field.
• 2+ years working in marketing, brand strategy, category management, or related expertise.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, prioritize, and be detail-oriented.
• Experience with new product development preferred.
• Business acumen, including understanding of market trends, consumers, competitors, and P&L fluency.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to collect and synthesize information, making it relevant, understandable, and actionable for key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to explain difficult concepts in applicable business terms.
• Strong ability to summarize strategies into (PowerPoint) presentations in clear and understandable messages.
• Self-starter personality who can operate with some supervision.
• Ideal candidate has an inquisitive nature, a passion for learning and solving problems, and a growth mindset.
• Passion for ice cream and cake.

Schedule

Travel: 10-30% periodically.

Pay

Salary: $79,953 - $133,256 per year. The salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual placement within this range will vary based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, training, and location.