Brand Manager, Cup Noodles in Gardena, California at Nissin Foods

The Brand Manager will serve as a key team member who will report to the Marketing Director and will be focused on supporting the total Cup Noodles brand while owning and driving several Cup Noodles sub-brands. The Brand Manager will be responsible for assisting in the planning, development and implementation of marketing strategy, communications, innovation, renovation, and management for Cup Noodles sub-brands to exceed stated volume and profit objectives.

Business & Financial Acumen

• Pulls and analyzes IRI data to garner actionable insights

• Oversees and understands brand budget and levers

• Performs ROI on tactics to understand how to invest for future

• Reviews brand P&Ls and recommends actions

Strategic Thinking

• With a deep knowledge of the business and a results-driven mindset, segments and competitive landscape, the Brand Manager will leverage consumer, marketplace and customer insights and trends to support the Marketing Director in driving strategy and plans.

• Links consumer, competitive & cultural insights to drive actionable opportunities and subsequently articulates a relevant plan of action

• Draws connections between facts, ideas and situations and makes strong recommendations

Consumer Insights Advocacy

• Identifies & links consumer, category & brand insights from data & observation across multiple data sets to explain and identify brand opportunities

• Clearly articulates brand equity and positioning relative to consumer and cultural insights

• Applies core marketing frameworks to set brand strategy

Innovation & Renovation Development

• Pieces together insights & trends to identify patterns and build hypotheses for new product opportunities

• Develops winning ideas and knows how to move from insights into product ideas

• Leads and motivates cross-functional teams through commercialization or NPD process

• Ensures and is accountable for projects to meet deadlines

Initiative & People Leadership

• Coaches and acts as a resource for junior team members(s)

• Motivates cross-functional teams

• Leads marketing efforts for assigned brands/products as well as supports the planning and execution of short-and long-term marketing plans.

• Collaborates with and influences cross-functional teams in project management activities to ensure delivery of profitable new products and renovation of existing products that meet consumer and customer needs.

• Leads the efforts of agency partners on marketing communications and coordinates at the tactical levels with the other business functions of Nissin Foods USA.

Required:

· Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

· 5+ years of progressive brand management experience within a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) company;

· Proven experience developing and executing brand strategies, annual business plans, and innovation pipelines.

· Strong analytical experience using syndicated data sources such as Circana (IRI) and/or NielsenIQ to drive business decisions.

· Experience managing P&L performance, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.

· Demonstrated success with cross-functional teams, including Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations.

· Experience leading new product launches from concept through commercialization.

· Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

· Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and communication skills.

· Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred:

· MBA or Master's degree in Marketing or Business Administration.

· Experience in the food manufacturing industry.

· Experience with retailer-specific marketing initiatives and commercialization.

· Knowledge of digital marketing, social media, and eCommerce marketing strategies.

· Familiarity with innovation stage-gate processes.

· Experience managing external agencies, including creative, media, and consumer research partners.

· Experience with SAP, Business Central, or similar ERP systems.