Responsible for contributing to the development of a multi-year product business plan that links to the menu strategy and company operating plan, including managing marketing initiatives, product positioning, new product development, food and packaging costs, margin, and ROI for assigned menu category(s). This role is experienced in managing high-volume, highimpact menu categories in addition to providing functional guidance to other product marketing staff. May directly manage one marketing manager on the team.
KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manages product implementation; product positioning, product development, and category building initiatives of Burger Category and/or other high-volume categories critical to the Jack menu. Participates in the development of category strategy and strategic direction of the menu across all mediums.
• Collaborates and leads cross-functional teams to ensure product development requirements are met, including R&D Culinary Team, Operations, Supply Chain, Consumer Insights, Analytics, and Marketing Communications.
• Determines marketing direction and identifies opportunities to increase the sales and profitability of product; develops product marketing plans through a thorough product assessment of consumer, competitive, industry and company trends.
• Utilizing the NPD Process & Roadmap, executes marketing plans by leading the cross-functional development, testing, and system rollout of new products and promotions; identifies strategic need and objectives for all new initiatives based on consumer feedback and provides direction on product development and marketing communications support; ensures timely and effective execution of all stages of product development and market testing.
• Partners with Marketing Communications and advertising agencies to create engaging and informative product descriptions that entice customers and reflect the brand image.
• Applies expertise in evaluating product, product platform, or product category through thoughtful diagnosis (using available data, cross functional support, existing research, etc.) and develops strategic recommendations on how to evolve, change or pivot; and leverages both tactical expertise and strategic, critical thinking to present recommendations and drive proposed next steps.
• Monitors product success by analyzing sales performance, conducting field visits to understand performance through a field/franchisee lens. Evaluates category trends and performance; summarizes findings and makes recommendations to the Marketing Leadership in order to drive product & menu performance.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of all category initiatives and key milestones; manages market level event calendars and testing plans; identifies contingency plans and communicates calendar strategy to the marketing organization and executive management. May lead new and optimized strategic initiatives outside the category that delivers against the brand positioning and strategic needs of the calendar.
• Is proactive in maintaining thorough knowledge of emerging consumer trends and design.
• Drives the creation and presentation of business cases for new programs/initiatives which focus on driving sales, margin, and building the brand. Demonstrates a clear understanding of how category performance impacts marketing & calendar strategy, and the business as a whole.
• Manages coupon and point of sale strategy from a product positioning and pricing perspective; is active in making pricing strategy, discounting, and couponing recommendations while keeping business objectives at the forefront of each recommendation. Strong knowledge of financial impact to the overall business is a must.
• Facilitates a strong relationship with internal and external customers and may serve in place of the Director, Product Marketing as needed.
• Performs other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required, assigned and directed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, preferably in Marketing or equivalent experience. MBA helpful.
Experience - 6+ years related brand/product/category management experience, including a thorough understanding of marketing, strategy development and the franchise model. B2C and B2B marketing experience preferred, and experience of Category helpful.
Experience in the restaurant, retail, or hospitality industry, with franchise business model is a plus.
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
- Requires thorough knowledge of marketing principles and concepts to effectively manage menu category(s).
- Excellent project management, organization, interpersonal, analytical, leadership skills.
- Excellent oral and written English communication skills and presentation skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinker with the ability to summarize findings in a concise way and effectively communicate recommendations to leadership.
- Strong understanding of culinary trends, ingredients, and flavor profiles.
- Strong understanding of business principles beyond marketing, including strategy development, finance, accounting and operations.
- Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-past, team-oriented environment.
- Proficient knowledge of personal computers and Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams).
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior.
Physical Requirements
Ability to speak/hear clearly in person and on the telephone. Ability to travel up to 20% of time to restaurants or other locations as business needs require. Ability to operate a computer keyboard.
The range for this position is $135,400 - $189,600 and is based on an employee located at our corporate headquarters in San Diego. If the candidate is hired in a different city to work remote, we will apply a geographic pay differential based on the cost of labor in the market in which the employee resides.
