Industry 1: Consumer Goods
Industry 2: Food & Beverages
Industry 3: Retail
Job ID: 36026566493
Category: Sales and Marketing
Location: Oakbrook, IL
The Senior Brand Manager, QSR is a critical member of the North America Quick Service Restaurant Marketing Team, responsible for developing and executing annual and mid-range portfolio and marketing strategies that ladder up to deliver the 2030 Plan for the channel, unlocking profitable growth through more of the menu. The role will act as a strategic business leader with sales, innovation, marketing operations and other key cross functional groups within the organization to meet portfolio business objectives, including but not limited to amplifying top tier customer growth, new customer acquisition and environment expansion through new platforms and business models. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled marketer: solutions-oriented, forward thinking, with strong analytical and financial acumen, sound technical marketing skills, proficiency in leading new product development teams from ideation to launch, experience in developing business strategies and plans and capable of leading, coaching and developing talent. Fueled by a passion for the operator, the consumer and the category, the Senior Brand Manager, QSR will deliver profitable sales with the goal of growing and transforming the category with our chain partners.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Lead teams to manage cross-functional co-development innovations, including top tier chain and new platform/capability product development, product renovations or specification changes, packaging design, artwork approvals, SKU and materials management and financial feasibility exercises
- Set and direct the vision and mid-range strategy for QSR business including new customer penetration and environment expansion big bets, leveraging macro trends, demand space frameworks, consumer insights, shopper insights, and market & competitive analyses to identify where to play, how to win, and what to do in a way that drives profitable growth.
- Act as the portfolio channel lead on multi-year big-bet innovation projects with an eye towards translating customer and consumer needs into market insights and strong go-to-market propositions, clear customer engagement plans and robust selling stories to achieve business objectives. Ensure propositions developed meet business strategy and channel market needs.
- Partner closely with Insights, Innovation and Go to Market Hub to identify and champion top tier chain growth opportunities, translating market insights into strong go-to-market propositions. Partner on top tier chain presentations and account specific programs.
- Critical partner to Go to Market Hub counterpart to shape AOC annual planning process, driving/influencing innovation, base business growth initiatives and supporting/enhancing brand positioning and commercial objectives. Set and manage the marketing spend for the QSR business.
- Champion the customer and consumer, understanding the entire value chain to deliver an integrated and synergistic execution of the strategy across functions.
- Lead, coach and develop direct and/or indirect reports creating an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing channel team
- Support T1, selective T2 customer engagements led by the Go to Market Hub and sales ensuring business alignment to unlock joint value creation
- Support monthly IBP operating rhythm; with Go to Market Hub to help drive to decisions and alignment that balance supply against demand—and drive positive mix and scale impact to financial performance of the business
- Lead base business portfolio performance reporting and product lifecycle reviews to ensure an efficient and relevant portfolio that delivers to customer, category and commercial objectives
- Proactively review key category performance drivers, identifying key levers that positively impact the P&L and adjust as needed to achieve annual operating plan objectives, inclusive of SKU profitability and mix.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA strongly preferred
- Previous P&L management experience
- Experience deriving insights from both primary consumer research and syndicated data
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Willingness to travel
- 7+ years of Marketing/Brand Management experience with P&L ownership of a large brand or portfolio of brands within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, with a minimum of 5 years in food
- Expert knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies and techniques relating to Foodservice marketing.
- Strong commercial acumen and financial know how in the food CPG space in a tier 1 or 2 matrixed organization
- Ability to understand entire value chain and where commercial can drive efficiencies and effectiveness
- Experience of customer facing engagements preferably with major customers or chain accounts.
- Strong people management and leadership skills with high EQ with 2-3 years of experience managing direct report(s)
- Strong ability to influence people and build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and customers.
- Experience working strategically and operationally, and adapt to fast paced, ambiguous environments while maintaining accountability.
- High degree of tenacity and persistence to get actions completed on schedule with a hands on approach when needed.
- Highly organized with premium analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and a track record of translating data into insights and action.
- Proven track record in delivering several complex projects at a time
- Adept with project management fundamentals with Stage-Gate process understanding to drive decision-making with gatekeepers.
SKILLS:
- Is a self-starter and independent thinker with a strong work ethic who can convert insights into sustainable strategies and action plans that deliver results
- Is a highly skilled commercial marketer with proven expertise in driving sustainable impact and creating business value
- Has a natural curiosity and results orientation, with strong problem-solving skills and an ability to influence others
- Has a solid track record of developing insight-led propositions that demonstrate an understanding of what drives consumers, customers and categories, then executing with excellence
- Leads with a general management mindset, balancing consumer and operator centricity with commercial and creative skills, including strength in strategic thinking, financial & analytical acumen, planning & execution, and effective communication
- Takes a people-centric approach, training and developing direct/indirect reports and project teams and is willing to challenge self and others to continuously improve
- Is capable of prioritizing and setting business vision while ensuring alignment from key stakeholders
- Has a proven ability to lead & motivate cross functional teams to ensure critical customer, NPD and portfolio opportunities are executed to deliver business and customer objectives
- Is customer obsessed with a strong bias for results and passion for commercializing renovation and innovation that delights operators and consumers
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