Associate Product and Brand Marketing Manager- Hybrid

  • Full-time
  • Job Duration: Regular

Company Description

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

    Job Description

    We have an exciting opportunity available for an Associate Product and Brand Marketing Manager based out of our corporate office in Burlington, Ontario.  The Associate Product and Brand Marketing Manager will work under supervision of senior marketing staff, brings product growth strategy to life through menu development and execution including the product offering, pricing and promotional recommendations leading to continued sales growth and customer satisfaction. Under the guidance of the Senior Marketing Manager, manages multiple products, product lines or strategic pillars (for example, food value, chicken leadership, mall business). Assists in leading and effectively communicating to cross-functional product teams. Keeps projects moving forward.  Executes marketing plans, tests and launch activities. Manages and oversees relevant product launches and coordinates launch activities.  Contributes to the development of short and long-term strategic planning for designated aspects of a product category(ies) including product positioning, product roadmaps, etc. With input and coaching from the Senior Marketing Manager, creates strong presentations, synthesizing information from various sources to create persuasive presentations that move projects forward and drive results.

    Key Accountabilities Include:

    Product Test Implementation and Rollout/Launch:

    • Under the guidance and oversight of the Senior Marketing Manager, manages multiple products, product lines or strategic pillars (eg. food value or chicken leadership, mall business).
    • Leads and effectively communicates to cross-functional product teams, gaining alignment and using project management skills, including timeline development and timeline management tracking for all product related projects. Keeps projects moving forward, knowing when to elevate decisions to higher management. Utilizes pipeline meetings to keep the broader cross-functional team informed of project status and changes in a timely and accurate manner.  Ensures that affected cross-functional teams (e.g. Operations) are involved and informed at the right time.
    • Executes marketing plans, tests and launch activities. Manages and oversees relevant product launches and coordinates launch activities in conjunction with cross-functional teammates, including oversight of the assigned items featured in the monthly Product Launch Kit.
    • Manages in-market tests from store recruiting through to evaluation. If successful, creates, leads and executes plan for system-wide rollout.
    • Ensures the timely completion of required internal briefing documents, including project initiation forms for Research & Development department, weekly status reports, and creative assignment forms (POP and advertising).
    • Provides timely and accurate communication as it relates to product tests and launches, utilizing pipeline meetings, conference call and various meetings (Menu vision, Stagegate, menu committee, CFAC, etc.)
    • Creates and maintains a weekly tracking list of product pipelines issues, decisions and next steps.
    • Support mall division by developing product promotions to support annual marketing calendar. Play a leadership role in coordinating and presenting initiatives to the mall business committee

    Brand Strategy and Plan Development

    • Assists in the development of short and long-term strategic planning for designated aspects of a product category. Provides meaningful input into the determination of how we would bring a product to market through the internal stage gate process. Typical product planning and research timelines range from 6 months to 2 years.
    • Product Positioning: Provides input on how to position a product to market, taking into account how the product will “fit” into consumers’ lives, what makes it consumer-worthy, why the product is better and different. This product positioning is critical to inform the creative marketing team for their later development of strong Creative pieces, such as advertising and POP.
    • Articulates the “voice of the consumer” into product and marketing opportunities by reviewing market trends, available secondary research, sales and competitive analysis and validate ideas through online screeners, focus groups and other primary research.
    • Assists in management of consumer research, and utilizes learnings gained through research to develop menu strategies and execute menu plans.

    Communications

    • With guidance and oversight from the Senior Marketing Manager on how to outline/frame up/sequence messaging, creates presentations for both internal DQ management and franchisee audiences, synthesizing information from various sources and creating persuasive presentations that move projects forward.
    • Participates and presents in Franchisee meeting and conference calls. As appropriate and with oversight from the Senior Marketing Manager and VP - Marketing, presents information to Franchisee Councils.

    Budget Management

    • Ensures projects are managed within an established, pre-defined allowance, factoring in expenses related to research, point of purchase materials, system-wide communication and external partners related to product category. Project budgets can range from multiple $30,000 budget tests to one larger $100,000-$150,000 media test project a year.
    • Manage mall OJAMP budget

    Qualifications

    Education/Experience

    • B.A. or B.S. Degree in Marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of work experience and education.
    • Minimum of 4 years marketing experience with at least 2 years at Associate Brand Manager level. Prior Food/Treat/Retail Marketing experience, required.
    • Experience working within a franchisor organization, preferably a QSR brand, preferred.

    Skills

    • Aptitude to lead cross-functional projects.
    •  Creative thinker with a track record of developing marketing-related innovative ideas.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
    • Demonstrated ability to create and successfully drive project plans, to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.
    • Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
    • Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients.
    • Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
    • Ability to collaborate in a team environment. Ability to coordinate with other departments such as Concept Support Services, Operations, Legal to complete projects on time.
    • Intermediate math skills.

    Additional Information

    All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  

    Benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, employer paid basic life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid sick and vacation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, wellness challenges and more!

    Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

     

    IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace.

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