Brand Manager, International

JOB SUMMARY

The Brand Manager, International has full authority to operate this position in accordance with Company policy and as directed by the Sr. Director, International Marketing and/or Vice President, International. The Brand Manager, International plans, organizes, directs and provides the leadership to achieve the Company's fiscal year volume/profit objectives for assigned brands; develops and executes plans that will ensure the success/growth of assigned brands; develops and executes plans that will ensure the viability of assigned brands; may lead select agency and distributor oversight functions as assigned; and contributes to the improvement of the Department and the Company as a whole in accordance with Company policy, as directed by the Sr. Director, International Marketing. The Brand Manager, International is a Salaried, Exempt position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. BRAND LEADERSHIP: Establishes, articulates and enacts International vision and strategy (excluding US/Canada) for assigned brands. Establishes range prioritization, merchandising strategies, pricing and NPD efforts, in collaboration with International and US Marketing teams, and communicates to Regional Managers and distributors. Communicates and enforces brand guidelines with respect to packaging and communication. Leads the creation of brand objectives consistent with International goals. Leads all areas of assigned brand development, including (but not limited to) NPD, Blistex Inc. controlled website content, social media asset development, promotion and package graphics, and UK communications and media planning. Conducts on-going data-driven analysis, definition and pursuit of key opportunities for assigned brand growth and strategic advantage. Maintains and shares current understanding of key market conditions, consumer developments and competitive set on assigned brands.

2. PERFORMANCE & PLANNING: Develops plans for assigned brands covering product range, NPD, pricing, A&P, research/insights development and other elements necessary to achieve International objectives including revenue, market share and profitability. Reviews and shapes distributor plans to ensure alignment with priorities, coordinates with Regional Managers to ensure timely high-quality execution, and makes changes as dictated by on-going business conditions. Develops and manages expense budgets, and oversees distributor A&P reimbursement approvals.

3. NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for brand product range development and expansion, in collaboration with Sr. Director, International Marketing and US Marketing team. Leads International concept development and is primary author for assigned brands. Leads research and systemic evaluation of new ideas to determine consumer appeal, financial and operations viability. Prioritizes projects for Innovation Steering Committee (ISC) consideration with Sr. Director, International Marketing, and develops/presents proposition and business/financial case to ISC. Authors R&D charters on approved projects, and leads development & Design team briefing and efforts. Serves as brand lead on International Product Development Team (I-PDT). Develops and delivers new product launch presentations to distributors.

4. CUSTOMER LEADERSHIP: Visits and meets with distributors to introduce new initiatives, set strategic approaches, facilitate planning, troubleshoot and evaluate new market situations as needed. Prepares and presents brand initiatives at distributor meetings, and assists with communication of Blistex domestic and international sales and marketing efforts.

5. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Leads brand expansion efforts on assigned brands in existing markets, in collaboration with Regional Manager. Prepares and executes new market launch plans as needed, and communicates brand business-building initiatives to existing partners.

6. CROSS-FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP: Collaborates with International and US Marketers on matters of shared applicability. Provides primary brand leadership with organizational colleagues on NPD, package design, reformulations, market research, regulatory compliance and communication asset & content development.

7. FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT: Develops, tracks, analyzes and publishes key financial information related to assigned brands including:
• Manages revenue and expense budgets
• Monitors brand/market profit and loss statements
• Consumer sales data (example: IRI or Nielsen data)
• Reviews reports of customer unit sales to retail trade and inventory; reviews sales forecast.

8. MANAGEMENT: Assists in due diligence and integration of any international acquisitions.

9. Facilitates requests for trademark search and applications, actively communicating with Intellectual Property attorney.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs and assumes other duties and responsibilities, as may be required by the Sr. Director, International Marketing.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Exercises administrative control over personnel assigned to his/her brand (i.e., interviewing, training, departmental orientation, salary reviews, performance appraisals, etc.) in conjunction with the Sr. Director, International Marketing.

2. Oversees, manages, and tracks employee performance. Functions as a strong team-builder, coach, and mentor for staff.

3. Creates, nurtures, and supports a positive, collaborative work environment that underscores the company's core values and goals. Develops constructive solutions to employee relations issues.

4. Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitation, and process improvement. Through individual guidance, mentors and coaches Marketing personnel to grow in their positions, develop their skills and future potential and maintain a high level of knowledge in the international arena.

5. Indoctrinates Marketing personnel thoroughly in established Company policies, procedures, Company's philosophy and business practices.

6. Takes affirmative action in all conditions of employment to ensure that equal opportunity efforts and results are consistent with Company policies and practices.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

1. An MBA in International Business or Marketing, or its equivalent in training and experience is required.

2. The knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired in min. 5 years of relevant experience in a brand management or international sales setting.

3. Effective interpersonal skills are required to interact with various levels of internal and external customers.

4. Exceptional motivation and drive, including desire to handle challenging tasks and achieve quality results quickly.

5. Strong leadership and proven project management skills with ability and inclination to motivate project partners, and internal resources for quality, timely executions.

6. Excellent organizational ability, attention to detail, and project/time management skills are essential.

7. Must reflect high moral standards, professionalism and ethics.

8. Experience in designing and analyzing quantitative research. Strong analytical thinking with ability to draw sound, insightful, useful conclusions from data.

9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

10. A broad understanding of general international sales and marketing practices including evaluating pricing, promotions, and creative materials and analyzing results.

11. Strong skills in a Windows environment, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

12. Ability to use office machines and email quickly and effectively

13. Fluency in a second language and experience working with distributors are beneficial but not required.

14. Must be discreet with confidential information to which he/she has access.

15. Willingness to accept other duties, as assigned.

16. Must possess the ability to develop and maintain an effective working relationship with internal and external customers, function as a team player, accept constructive criticism from management and comply with Company policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENT

1. This position requires the individual to stand or walk up to 33% of the time. This position requires the individual to sit, talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel 66% to 100% of the time. This position requires the individual to reach with hands and arms 33% to 66% of the time.

2. This position will require the individual to lift up to 10 pounds 33% to 66% of the time.

3. The vision requirements for this position includes close vision of 20 inches or less; distance vision of 20 feet or more, color vision (ability to distinguish between colors), peripheral vision (ability to see up, down, left, right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (3-dimensional vision), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

4. This position has no exposer to measurable environmental hazards or conditions.

5. The noise level for this position will be moderate noise (Ex: Business office with computer printers, and light traffic).

6. Travel and overtime requirements are dependent upon business and department demands and requires both domestic and international travel that are demanding at times requirements are dependent upon departmental needs but should be considered to be demanding on occasion. This position requires occasional international traveling (with approximately 2-4 international trips per year that are inclusive of occasional weekends).