Brand Manager

Based in our Corporate Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for almost 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty-Asian and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers. Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.

We are looking for people who are seeking to deliver their best so that we can deliver ours. Above all, we’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of our greatest assets—our team members. That’s reflected in our ongoing commitment to recruit, develop, reward, and retain our talented, multicultural workforce. We hope to see you as part of our team’s future success!

COMMENTS: The Brand Manager will work for Mizkan America, Inc. at the Schaumburg location. This position will report to the Sr. Marketing Director. This job description reflects assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that the assignments.

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Brand Manager provides strategic leadership for the Bertolli pasta sauce portfolio and acts as the general manager of the business. This role is responsible for delivering net sales, operating income, share growth, and consumption targets while driving both brand equity and innovation. This role will lead the development and execution of the marketing and communications strategy supporting consistent growth and plan delivery while enhancing brand equity. In addition, the position will be responsible for commercialization, project management, innovation, portfolio strategy, category management, communications and managing the Bertolli global license.  A successful Brand Manager demonstrates strong leadership, partnership, strategic thinking, and alignment with Mizkan values, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.

Essential Functions:

Brand & Business Leadership

• Serve as the central point of coordination (“hub of the wheel”) for all brand‑related and cross‑functional activities that influence the 4Ps.
• Act as a business owner by developing and executing a comprehensive brand plan to achieve growth and profitability objectives.
• Refine brand positioning and consumer targets; ensure all activations and communications align with the brand strategy.
• Lead business analytics—consumption, gross sales, and marketing budget—providing insights and clear action plans.
• Manage syndicated data sources and prepare performance reports and analyses.
• Collaborate with Trade Marketing to define and support pricing strategies and guidelines.
• Partner with Sales to strengthen channel strategy and expand physical availability across retail channels.
• Maintain and evolve brand guidelines and masterbrand principles to ensure cohesive positioning across all licensed categories.
• Coach and mentor Associate Brand Manager(s) to support their development and performance.

Brand Marketing & Communications

• Lead the development and execution of consumer‑facing content and communications.
• Define, align, and track key brand performance metrics annually.
• Develop campaign platforms, write agency briefs, and lead the Integrated Marketing Team (IMT) from idea to activation.
• Establish campaign KPIs and performance measurement frameworks.
• Apply category and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Work with Connected Commerce to build and activate omni‑channel marketing plans—including retailer media, e‑commerce, and in‑store initiatives.
• Partner with Sales Planning to support trade development and execution.

Innovation, Renovation & Commercialization

• Lead development and execution of innovation and renovation strategies through cross‑functional collaboration.
• Partner with the Innovation Lead to build and maintain a 3–5 year innovation pipeline.
• Develop commercialization project plans to support new product launches and renovations.

Financial Management

• Manage the marketing budget and brand P&L.
• Recommend initiatives that drive stronger ROI and improved resource allocation.
• Ensure brand plans meet or exceed financial targets.
• Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities that protect or enhance gross margin.

Licensee & Agency Management

• Oversee relationships with Bertolli brand licensees, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.
• Act as the primary point of contact for licensed partners and facilitate communication across teams.
• Lead global brand summits to drive consistency and leverage shared opportunities.
• Oversee day‑to‑day agency management.

Regular, predictable, in-person attendance on the business days the Company requires in-person attendance at this facility.  (In-person attendance is optional on the other workdays.)  For non-required-in-person attendance days, employees are expected to be present and engaged during the designated work hours for this role.

Key Skills/Competencies:

• Strong business and financial acumen, analytical capability, and strategic thinking.
• Ownership mindset with a drive for results.
• High sense of urgency; self‑starter with strong initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and agency partners.
• High proficiency in syndicated data tools (IRI, Circana).
• Consumer‑centric mindset with ability to translate insights into action.
• Skilled at determining root causes using data, experience, and judgment.
• Highly organized; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong coaching and mentorship capability.
• Resourceful and hands‑on with a passion for innovation.
• Comfortable challenging established norms constructively.

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of classical brand marketing or marketing communications experience, preferably within CPG food and with a well‑known brand.
• Experience managing one or more brands.
• Demonstrated success in brand strategy development and execution.
• Prior P&L ownership and A&P budget management.
• Limited travel required.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:

• Ability to remain seated at a workstation for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Ability to view computer screens and read printed materials for prolonged periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, and reaching within the office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry office supplies or equipment weighing up to 10–15 lbs.
• Adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person and via phone/video.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $118,900 to $164,400. 

Compensation is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills and experience. Short-Term Incentive and other forms of compensation may also be provided as part of a total compensation package.

A full range of medical, dental, vision, 401K plus up-to-four percent (4%) match, profit sharing, wellness program, paid parental leave, long-term-care insurance, critical accident insurance, short- and long-term disability and education assistance are also available.

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