**Experienced Senior Brand Manager – Innovation Pipeline Development and Commercialization**

Are you a seasoned marketing professional with a passion for innovation and a drive to succeed in a dynamic and fast-paced environment? Do you have a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and developing strategic plans that drive business growth? If so, we invite you to join blithequark as a Senior Brand Manager, where you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our Away from Home (AFH) Customer Innovation Platform. **About blithequark** blithequark is a global food company with a rich heritage and a commitment to innovation. We are dedicated to delivering the best taste, fun, and quality to every meal table we touch. Our mission is to disrupt not only our own business but the global food industry, and we are looking for talented individuals like you to help us achieve this goal. **Job Summary** As a Senior Brand Manager, you will be responsible for leading the strategic development and execution of the innovation pipeline for the AFH Customer Innovation Platform. You will drive the ideation, curation, and commercialization of innovative products that align with global trends and contribute to the company's growth. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and foster an innovation-driven culture to ensure that Away from Home serves as a key engine of innovation within the broader blithequark portfolio. **Key Responsibilities** * Lead the end-to-end innovation process for the AFH Customer Co-Created Platform, overseeing the entire pipeline from ideation to product launch. * Develop a strategic approach to innovation, ensuring the pipeline is aligned with market trends, consumer insights, and AFH's growth objectives. * Collaborate with customers and key stakeholders across multiple functions, including R&D, culinary, consumer insights, quality, legal, operations, sales, and finance, to ensure seamless execution of innovative initiatives. * Foster a culture of innovation within the AFH division by championing creative thinking and new product development that reflects global trends and cultural shifts. * Manage the innovation stage gate process, including all key deliverables, timelines, and approvals. * Manage agency relationships for the packaging design of new products and lead consumer validation efforts in partnership with the consumer insights team. * Work with commercial teams to refine product positioning and messaging, ensuring that new innovations meet target customers' needs in the Away from Home market. * Build and maintain strong partnerships with Customer, Sales, and Marketing BAP teams, as well as Platform, Global Disruptive Innovation, Canadad (Platform & AFH), and Global R&D teams, to ensure cohesive innovation plans and seamless execution for our AFH customers and blithequark. **Expected Experience & Required Skills** * Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA with a marketing focus preferred. * 5 to 7 years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management, with at least 3 years leading product development from concept to market in the consumer goods sector. * Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performing teams, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability. * Experience setting strategic direction and mobilizing cross-functional teams to achieve common goals. * Results-oriented, proactive in navigating complex challenges and ambiguity, with a track record of resolving obstacles. * Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a history of building effective business relationships and presenting clear narratives. * Passion for consumer marketing, culture, new product trends, and innovation, with the ability to foster an innovation-driven culture. * Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within scope. * Ability to translate data into actionable insights, driving product and brand strategies. * Demonstrated ability to communicate vision effectively to executive leadership and cross-functional teams. * Strong at navigating both formal and informal organizational channels to get things done, while delegating effectively. * Ability to prioritize tasks for self and team, focusing on key objectives and removing roadblocks. * Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). **Work Environment & Schedule** Our office environment fosters collaboration, connection, and community, enabling employees to grow and thrive. We embrace a flexible and agile work model, recognizing its importance in today's workplace. Most office-based employees may work remotely up to two days per week. Additionally, those in our hybrid model can work remotely for up to six weeks within a rolling 12-month period, in increments of up to two weeks, subject to benefits and tax guidelines. Work location requirements vary by role. If you choose to be based in our downtown Chicago office, you must be willing and able to travel to the Glenview R&D Center at least once per week. **Total Rewards** Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement blithequark's strategy and values. New Hire Base Salary Range: $137,400.00 - $171,700.00. Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. **Benefits** We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: * Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future. * Wellbeing programs that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families. * Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training, Employee Assistance Program, and more. **Why Join blithequark?** We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our beloved and nostalgic brands. Good isn't good enough. We choose greatness every day by challenging the ordinary and making bold decisions. All while celebrating our wins - and our failures – as we work together to lead the future of food. **Inclusion Matters to Us** Everyone is welcome at our table. In fact, we thrive on learning and growing from our diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or who makes your heart sing. We want you to show up as your authentic self, excited to work with amazing colleagues to solve complex challenges and innovate in an ever-changing industry. **How to Apply** If you are a motivated and innovative professional looking for a new challenge, please submit your application through our website. We look forward to hearing from you! Apply for this job