Senior Brand Manager

Applegate, a brand of Hormel Foods Corporation, is a global leader in the natural and organic meat category. Hormel Foods is a $12 billion company with brands including Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Wholly®, and more. Recognized for corporate responsibility and workplace excellence, Hormel Foods is a member of the S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.

About the role

The Senior Brand Manager will shape and advance Applegate’s mission of “Changing the Meat We Eat” by developing winning strategies across the marketing mix. This role requires a general manager mindset to oversee a complex portfolio of Applegate categories, serving as the strategic lead for the product portfolio. The position involves delivering short and long-term financial results through business management, product renovation, innovation, and marketing programs, while leading a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and long-term plan (LRP), managing the team to execute sales and profit objectives.
• Own the portfolio P&L, managing margin improvement initiatives, pricing/trade strategies, and marketing budgets.
• Provide strategic leadership for portfolio-wide marketing efforts and develop annual marketing plans.
• Analyze business, category trends, and competitive landscape to deliver insights and actions for portfolio objectives.
• Oversee critical business processes, including Integrated Business Planning (IBP).
• Identify consumer needs and leverage insights to build innovation plans, including white space opportunities, product extensions, and packaging improvements.
• Champion Governance and Portfolio Review processes to ensure resource allocation and strategic fit.
• Develop marketing campaign strategies that maximize ROI.
• Drive consumer research and analytics to understand the Applegate consumer and represent their voice across the organization.
• Inspire, motivate, and develop a high-performing team aligned with Applegate's Cultural Beliefs and entrepreneurial spirit.

Requirements

• MBA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Brand Management, preferably within food/CPG.
• Proven ability to leverage analytics, consumer insights, and business acumen to create comprehensive business plans.
• Strong understanding of data (syndicated, shipment, primary/secondary research) and ability to interpret results for decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with strong organizational and negotiating abilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects under tight timelines.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports to deliver business objectives.
• Proven success in developing and executing short and long-term innovation plans.
• Ability to understand and control financial scenarios (e.g., product P&Ls, ROI, trade, slotting) to achieve business objectives.
• High proficiency in MS Office/Outlook.
• Passion for Applegate’s mission and the natural/organic meat category.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Working Conditions

• Entrepreneurial culture with an open office environment.
• Supervisory scope: 2-4 direct reports.
• Location: Corporate Office, Bedminster, NJ.
• Comprehensive relocation package offered if required.
• Travel requirements: Up to 25% of the time.

Pay

The base hiring pay range for this role is $122,800 - $171,925 per year, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Discretionary annual merit increases and bonuses.
• Profit sharing and 401(k) with employer match.
• Stock purchase plan.
• Paid time off.
• Free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees.