Associate Brand Manager, Snacking & Chunk

TITLE: Associate Brand Manager, Snacking & ChunkREPORTS TO: Brand Manager, Snacking & ChunkLOCATION: Chicago, ILReady for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. From your PASSION to oursThe Associate Brand Manager (ABM) plays a pivotal role in driving brand growth, and long-term equity for the snacking and chunk business at Lactalis Heritage Dairy. This role will be responsible for leading the planning, execution and analysis of various business initiatives. This role will gain broad exposure to all functional activities on the brand’s business (including but not limited to Brand Development, Consumer Insights, Innovation, R&D, Sales, Operations, Revenue Management and Finance). This role will be responsible for management and execution driving growth for the business, in close collaboration with cross functional teams for the assigned cheese portfolio.From your EXPERTISE to ourKey responsibilities for this position include:Business Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze sales trends, market share, volume and revenue drivers, and competitive activity. Diagnose performance drivers and recommend clear actions to close gaps or accelerate growth. Deliver in-depth reporting on multi-channel marketing and promotional programs to optimize ROI.Brand Strategy & Planning: Support development of annual brand plans, long-term strategy, and innovation roadmaps grounded in consumer, category, and competitive insights.Innovation & Renovation: Lead cross-functional teams through the stage-gate process for new product launches, formulation upgrades, and packaging enhancements. Manage product strategy, packaging design development, and collaboration with R&D, Consumer Insights, Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, and Finance to bring concepts to market successfully.Commercial Execution: Partner with Sales to activate customer-specific programs, develop selling stories, and ensure flawless retail execution.Marketing Activation: Assists with developing annual integrated marketing programs, including omni-channel programs, PR, media, and social, to drive brand awareness, trial, and loyalty.Project & Agency Management: Manage timelines, budget, and deliverables across creative, media, insights, and research partners to ensure seamless execution.Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the central point of connection for Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Sales, and Insights, ensuring alignment and breakthrough execution.Consumer Understating: Develop a deep comprehension of the consumer and leverage consumer insights to drive brand strategy and innovation.From your STORY to oursQualified applicants will contribute the following:Education and ExperienceBachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA with Marketing emphasis preferred.3+ years of experience (2 years in marketing, product management, or brand management preferred)Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the curiosity to learn and to interpret P&L dynamics and use data to influence decisions. Experience using syndicated data (IRI, Nielsen) to drive decisions.Proven ability to lead and influence management and cross functional teams, manage multiple priorities and delivery results through others.High bias for action and strong ownership mindset, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic and ambiguous environment.Exceptional communication skills, including clear verbal, written, and interpersonal capabilities.Excellent organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage complex initiatives end-to-end.Strategic, consumer-centric thinker with natural curiosity for category trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging market opportunities.At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.