Sr. Brand Manager

About the role: 

Barry Callebaut is a global organization poised for growth; a company which has embraced the vision to delight its customers, while out-performing its competitors, a business which is committed to sustainability, has innovation in its DNA, is a leader in complex manufacturing and supply chain solutions and is focused on being a best-in-class employer. Barry Callebaut seeks diverse and passionate people who thrive in a dynamic environment, focused on continuous learning, living BC’s Values and of course loving chocolate.

The Sr. Brand Manager is a critical, high impact role responsible for driving the FM business and equipping the sales team with the tools and marketing assets needed to win with customers. Working closely with the Portfolio/Brand & Customer Marketing Director, this role leads brand strategy and key initiatives for the FM business across North America (US and Canada). The team oversees strategy for Barry Callebaut’s core chocolate range—including chocolates, chocolate inclusions, compounds, and cocoa powders—while also supporting financial KPIs for specialty chocolates, premium solutions, and better for you products. Additionally, this role develops marketing strategies, initiatives, and training materials for Sales and Specialty Sales to support budget delivery.

Key responsibilities include: 

Strategic Role
•    Responsible for the impact and ultimately the growth of the FM domestic portfolio for the FM North America region business.  This includes the long-term strategic plan, marketing activations, toolkits, sales training and delivering the KPIs. It also includes identifying the growth areas and supporting the Director with new product ideas through the innovation stage gate to launch. 
•    Support the Director with the Premium and Better for You Chocolates & Compounds with creation of the marketing plan with extended team mapping of deliverables, execution and results review.
•    Innovation: 
o    Support innovation and new product launches for corresponding product ownership. This role is expected to identify gaps in the portfolio and bring these innovative and new product ideas forward to the Director of the Brand and ultimately to the Regional and Global Innovation teams. This role is responsible for supporting the projects, which includes supporting with the crafting of all gate documents and supporting the project with leadership of the cross functional teams. This role also supports the launch of the new product including marketing plan, activations, sales training and external communications and tools. 
o    This role will be the region lead and representation for our core domestic portfolio, including supporting the chocolate and compound specialty range with the Brand/Portfolio & Customer Marketing Director. This role will collaborate closely with the GCA Marketing role to ensure the portfolio meets the GCA customer needs. 
o    Help guide team and extended team members of MTP growth plans for the region’s domestic business.
•    Lead of Barry Callebaut Selection for the Brand/Portfolio team. This role ensures proper KPIs are tracked, reported and appropriate tools are continually provided for the sales team in order to meet growth targets. (this includes identifying gaps to close and actions to course correct).
•    Lead the product training agenda and execution with sales tools and training. This includes a multiple approach of on-demand training tools, virtual trainings, on-board training support in leadership and collaboration with R&D and the chef team. 
•    This role and team would be responsible in leading and executing the annual customer training and agenda program, which includes cross-functional team skills. 
•    Co-lead with R&D on SKU management and portfolio management. 
•    Co-lead the Co-Creation strategy and help drive the FM sessions along with the Brand/Portfolio Customer Marketing Director. This role would co-lead with the Gourmet Brand/Portfolio colleague.
•    Provide leadership, vision and impact planning of our Customer Journey, including long-term strategy toolkit and sales tools in collaboration with our cross-functional team members. 

Execution Role
•    Assist in the development and execution of regional marketing plans and activations. 
•    Assist with developing the strategy, leading new product development, overall general product management and delivering marketing toolkits for sales team, directly driving sales. 
•    Complete monthly analysis of brand performance and present to brand team. 
•    Provide brand and product training to internal (sales) and external customers 
•    Play a key role in organizing and developing materials for annual national sales meetings. 
•    Create content for the FM trade strategy and partner with the customer marketing team to deliver and execute in our segment and trade marketing activities.  
•    Assist in writing the innovation briefs for proposed new product introductions and present to Director. 
•    Continual product management/ SKU rationalization for the chocolate, chocolate inclusions and compounds and also the specialty better for you portfolio and partner with the Simplification R&D team to co-deliver KPIs.
•    Perform industry research and trend analysis as part of the innovation plan needs. (use of secondary research such as Euromonitor, Mintel, Iris databases) and track and report competitive dynamics in the market in relation to the role’s managed product lines.
•    Travel < 15%

About you:

•    Bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minimum 10-12 years of B2B marketing experience OR
•    MBA (with a focus in marketing) with minimum of 4-5 years of B2B marketing experience 
•    Experience with marketing to national and/or regional food manufacturers required
•    Coordinating with internal stakeholders to develop product from ideation to launch, including working with R&D, Sales, Finance, and Operations knowledge critical
•    Multiple product portfolio product management and analysis skills required and experience with leading cross functional team projects is a must
•    Experience in innovation and new product launches, working with customers in product innovation and new product launches a plus
•    Strong communication and organization skills and ability to work well in a stressful environment
•    Proficient in Word/Excel/PowerPoint, SAP knowledge a plus 
•    Capable of working with minimum supervision and ability to work effectively with multiple departments and portray a professional and positive image
•    Knowledge of the Chocolate Manufacturing Industry a plus

What you can expect from Barry Callebaut:

•    Salary Range of $ 110,000 - $130,000, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus and our comprehensive benefits package. 
•    Paid time off, paid holidays, flex days, plus your birthday off
•    Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility 
•    An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum!
•    Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth.
•    Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in all of our products.