Senior Brand Manager

Brand Manager

Location: Remote with Travel to client plants/sites on East Coast

Description:

This role is responsible for supporting and managing the end-to-end business development strategy and project management for the Seasonal Portfolio within the Confectionary Category. This role will manage both innovation and productivity related projects for the US, and drive program synergies between programs like CIQ, PPA, War on Waste and Road to Real to optimize the category resources and maximize benefits. The role will interface with cross functional teams at all levels of the organization, including relevant brand stewards in Marketing, R&D, Finance, Quality, as well as relevant technical and execution resources in Engineering and/or field operations. In addition, the role will provide regular updates on progress, project delivery status, financials, supply planning and next steps to project sponsors and key stakeholders as required. Finally, the role will provide guidance in manufacturing sourcing, capacity management and will support the development of capital approval requests where applicable to drive the overall supply network strategy.
Lead Commercialization efforts for large complex projects, platform innovation programs while supporting any capital related initiatives. Ensure effective team engagement which may include establishing and managing team meetings. Review project timelines and cost regularly with the project team, facilitate creation of mitigation/contingency plans, and manage communication.
Lead network assessment and asset optimization with business partners. Ensure appropriate capacity for new business initiatives and growth plans across product life cycle. Develop and recommend alternatives as needed.
Provide updates to leadership, project sponsors and stakeholders as needed on key initiatives, including progress against deliverables, cost management, next steps and needs from sponsors to alleviate hurdles. Escalate concerns and issues, report project fact base, define options/trade-offs, and provide team recommendation that can be used in such forums as Supply Review, PMR, BMR or MOR.
Leads Project Development / Execution: Support I2M/IIM (Innovation 2 Market; Initiative Management); Provide AR write ups & prepare critical inputs, specifically for IIM Design Reviews (DR2 - DR6); define network capability (capacity/technology) and capital associated with developing such capability. Identify impact across the supply chain with regard to cost of goods sold e.g. route to market, capacity utilization, DIOH, manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety. Lead AR development.
Manage and deliver assigned financial targets, to include the delivery of capital projects, trial activity and start-up expenses while leading resource & funding prioritization. Drive development of COGS, ensure alignment between category team and operations. Engage and support productivity agenda to deliver cost reduction targets.
Support Project Development in line with MSC Strategy Goals
Act as the source of internal and external information (contact for Commercial stakeholders and is the key interface between Category and Engineering / Manufacturing / R&D)
Support Business and Manufacturing Systems initiatives as required, (e.g. SAP), and support the continuous improvement of the commercialization process through collaboration with key stakeholders and best practice sharing.

Job specific requirements:
Strong operational & manufacturing experience in CPG industry with experience in TPM-Total productive maintenance, 5s, LEAN, 6 sigma tools and concepts, Safety & GMP standard
Good understanding of end-to-end processes in the manufacturing and business environment; working knowledge of commercialization process (I2M); project leadership / management skills and technical and financial aspects of the business
Experience with managing through complex projects and ambiguity
Proven track record of successfully obtaining project approvals, project progression or execution excellence.
Strategic thinking, while having ability to excel in leading tactical programs.
Ability to influence up in the organization.
Drive for results with sense of urgency.
Highly action oriented, drive for results, innovative, challenging actual set-ups, entrepreneurial ability.
Excellent communication (verbal & written), coaching, and leadership skills in a team-based environment.
Demonstrated abilities in analytics, problem solving and team building.
Possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Influential leader with genuine interest on people/team development

Qualifications:
Minimum 5 years experience Project Management in Consumer Products
Minimum 5 years experience Engineering, Production or Research & Development
Minimum 3 year's experience Basic Marketing/Finance/Product Supply/Procurement Principles

Education / Certifications:

Bachelor's degree is required.

Travel requirements:

25-30% to internal and external plants for project related business when needed and stakeholder engagement.

Senior Brand Manager- East Hanover, NJ