Associate Brand Manager, Innovation Functional Snacking

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Associate Brand Manager, Innovation - Functional Snacking is responsible for supporting the development and commercialization of new products within the functional snacking portfolio. This role partners with cross-functional teams to manage projects through the innovation stage-gate process, ensuring alignment with consumer insights, brand strategy, and financial objectives. The ABM will lead day-to-day execution of innovation initiatives, monitor post-launch performance, and identify opportunities to optimize growth. Success requires strong analytical skills, creativity, and the ability to influence across multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Accountabilities:
Innovation Project Management
Manage innovation and renovation projects from concept through commercialization using the stage-gate process. Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional alignment to ensure on-time, in-full launches.

Consumer Insights & Market Analysis
Leverage syndicated data and consumer research to identify trends, unmet needs, and whitespace opportunities. Translate insights into actionable product concepts and business cases.

Business Case Development
Build financial models and size-of-prize projections to support innovation proposals. Present recommendations to leadership and secure alignment for pipeline priorities.

Go-to-Market Planning
Develop launch kits, sell-in materials, and retailer presentations in partnership with Sales and Shopper Marketing. Ensure packaging design and messaging align with brand positioning and regulatory requirements.

Post-Launch Performance Tracking
Monitor KPIs such as ACV, velocity, and share performance. Conduct post-launch reviews and recommend actions to optimize results and inform future innovation strategies.

Qualifications:
Strategic & Analytical Thinking
Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies. Skilled in financial modeling and performance analysis.

Project Management Excellence
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in stage-gate processes and cross-functional coordination.

Consumer-Centric Mindset
Deep understanding of consumer behavior and ability to integrate insights into product development and marketing strategies.

Collaboration & Communication
Effective communicator with the ability to influence and build relationships across Marketing, R&D, Sales, and external agencies.

Agility & Problem-Solving
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adapting to changing priorities. Ability to troubleshoot challenges and maintain momentum on projects.

Experience & Education:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field required; MBA preferred.

Experience: 2-4 years in brand management or marketing, preferably in CPG. Experience with innovation projects, syndicated data (IRI, Nielsen), and cross-functional collaboration strongly preferred.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

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