Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Global Associate Brand Manager to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime, provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the scoop - Summary

An inspiring growth focused brand builder and energetic problem solver, the Global Associate Brand Manager – ORIJEN, is a key leader in the Champion Petfoods business, will collaborate across functions, with external partners and customers, and with Regional stakeholders and emphasis on the US business to deliver exceptional results. Reporting to the Global Senior Brand Manager – ORIJEN, this role will support the development of the global 3 year growth strategy, global brand P&L, and execute global deployment for the ORIJEN Brand.

Working in close partnership with the regional leadership, innovation, insights, sales, and marketing services team, this aspiring marketer uncovers insights and builds business cases to drive global brand goals. Supports in deploying plans through the business by successfully communicating and collaborating with associates, agency partners and customers.

Ultimately, this role delivers to our compelling purpose – “better world for pets”.

This role will be based out of our Louisville, CO office on a hybrid work schedule.

What a typical day looks like:

Mars Principles: Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.

Global and US Brand Support: As a rising brand builder, this role supports developing and protecting the ORIJEN Brand Foundations including food philosophy, brand meaning and story, global range architecture deployment, innovation deployment support, and assist in deployment of brand assets and advertising campaigns. This will be achieved by leading with US development and then nurturing a vibrant global brand community, representing the voice of the consumer in all 80+ markets.

• Support in bringing to life brand guidelines and development of global brand asset and packaging toolkit market to ensure brand growth and consistent global message.

Global and US Growth Strategy and Planning: Support development of the ORIJEN brand 3 year growth plan through collating regional growth opportunities and translating these into global growth levers through the Mars ‘Expert’ Growth Model. Through this annual process, this role supports the team in uncovering growth opportunities and assist in building the business case to align the organization behind scale growth levers. The role is critical in driving profitable growth and ensuring that new growth opportunities align with the CHAMPION strategic objectives, thus fostering coherence and synergy across our operations.

• Oversee and report on US business and brand performance including monthly reporting competitive reviews, brand scorecards, etc.
• Support annual global brand strategy, management, and development of the ORIJEN brand with primary focus in the US market and deployment to the global enterprise.
• Contribute to development and implementation of growth brand strategy ensuring flawless execution of consumer driven initiatives (media, digital, all other consumer experience materials)
• Partner with Finance to provide global strategic pricing architecture and guidelines.
• Responsible for understanding P&L drivers and implications for delivering profitable business growth within the category and achieving company objectives. Making recommendations as warranted for improving margin structure and portfolio mix.

Breakthrough Growth Support: Explore and deploy breakthrough growth opportunities in Product Innovation, Digital Demand or Customer partnerships that see ORIJEN and CHAMPION play a vanguard role for the Mars Pet Nutrition business.

• Collaborate with Regional CMI to identify and leverage regional market trends and consumer insights to sustain a highly competitive product portfolio and compelling value proposition.
• Developing toolkits for breakthrough innovation and deploying globally in collaboration with Brand Services team
• Track the US progress of key projects and innovation and communicate timeline status to key stakeholders.

Demonstrate Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Marketing capabilities growth: Pivot when needed among projects and sometimes with changing direction. Comfort with ambiguity in a fast growth environment is essential. Demonstrate growing proficiency in Mars marketing functional capabilities.

What are we looking for?

• 3-5 years’ Marketing experience; 1-2 years’ Associate Brand Mgr experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business or a related field is required. Post-secondary education preferred but not necessary.
• Extremely collaborative, ability to develop and leverage relationships with stakeholders
• Proven track record of generating new or unique solutions and embracing new ideas
• Project management skills and cross-functional leadership
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills
• Eagerness to stay up to date on the latest brand trends in the US and globally, especially in the pet world
• Great attention to detail, enthusiasm, curiosity, organization, multi-tasking and desire to be a team player
• Analytics experience preferred. Prior experience pulling and analyzing syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI, Spins).
• Passion for a career-path in Marketing.
• Basic knowledge of marketing terminology and processes.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite.
• The Associate Brand Manager Innovation should demonstrate competence in the following:
• Communicate Effectively – speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manger using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Foster Teamwork – work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Organize – set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan – Determine strategies to move projects forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems – Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions and make recommendations to resolve the problem.
• Creativity – Ability to push thinking into new areas and get in the mind of the consumer to reveal new innovation opportunities
• Evening and weekend work may be required from time to time to meet project milestones
• Occasional travel may be required

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: USD $100,000-$120,000 annual salary, annual bonus eligibility, 401k with company matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and employee assistance programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education: In house & online learning & development, as well as an education assistance program.
• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks: Free bag of premium pet food each month.

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

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