Kernel Season’s & Spice Hunter Brand Manager

We are hiring Rockstars to join our Sauer Brands team!


About Kernel Season’s & Spice Hunter:
Kernel Season’s is America’s #1 Popcorn Seasoning, and with 30+ fun flavors of popcorn seasonings we make movie nights more fun! Kernel Season’s is widely distributed across grocery stores, mass, e-Comm and theaters. In addition to Kernel Season’s, this Brand Manager will oversee Spice Hunter – a premium, gourmet spice brand with a broad portfolio of spices and distribution in natural and traditional channels (e.g., Sprouts, Kroger & more).

Overall Goal of Position:
We are looking for an experienced CPG Brand Manager with 5-7 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG). The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and executing brand & e-commerce strategies, supporting product innovation, and driving retail narratives. This role requires a mix of strategic thinking, critical problem solving, data analysis, and creative marketing.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Marketing Director, the Brand Manager will be responsible for developing brand growth strategies, executing marketing and innovation plans, managing marketing budgets, and managing the P&L. We are seeking a high performer that can succeed in a fast-paced environment and lead cross-functional teams in executing against growth plans.

Key Responsibilities:
• Category Leadership: Support strategic and in-depth analysis of our category and CPG more broadly. Tapping into noteworthy and category driving trends and insights across food but also specific to our product portfolio pillars.
• Customer Story: Work with the category management team to help drive customer stories.
• Brand Strategy: Work alongside director to help build as well as execute brand strategies that drive sales growth, awareness, and engagement.
• Product Innovation: Identify market trends, support consumer research, and collaborate with team to bring new products to market.
• General Manager Mindset: This role will wear many hats. It is a critical skillset to approach all aspects of the job with the mindset of a business operator not only just focusing on Marketing.
• Marketing Campaigns: Help to lead integrated marketing campaigns, including digital, social media, retail promotions, and traditional advertising.
• Retail & E-Commerce Growth: Partner with E-comm team and retail teams to develop retail and online strategies, ensuring a strong brand presence across key distribution channels.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams, including Sales, R&D, and Operations, as well as external agencies and retail partners.
• Agency Management: Work with our agency partners to execute our brand strategies through media planning and buying as well as with creative expressions of our brand in both social and digital content.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor directed key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Technology Proficiency: Using tools such as excel to enhance or leverage ways of working and completing tasks.
What We Are Looking For:
• Personal Characteristics
◦ “Ownership” mentality about role and assigned tasks
◦ Is comfortable with a high level of accountability
◦ Fun, outgoing, energetic, and results oriented personality
◦ Self-starter, comfortable working independently with limited direction
◦ Overall confidence in one’s abilities and comfortable communicating the facts
◦ Smart, creative and inquisitive
◦ Highly organized and strong willed in the face of inertia
◦ No excuses mindset
◦ Dependable team player with positive attitude
◦ Personal values that mesh with SBI values
◦ Passion for strong brands
• Education & Experience
◦ 5-7 years of brand management experience preferably in the CPG industry
◦ Bachelor’s degree in marketing, or Business (MBA is a plus).
◦ Proven experience in developing and executing marketing campaigns and brand strategies.
◦ Very organized with proven methods to keep projects and processes on track.
◦ Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret consumer and sales data.
◦ Experience with cross-functional teams in CPG.
◦ Proficient in PowerPoint and Excel.
◦ Experience with budget planning budget management.
◦ Knowledge of retail and e-commerce marketing strategies.
◦ Excellent communication and presentation skills.
◦ Passion for the food industry.
◦ Experience with Neilsen or Circana a plus.
• Other
◦ Candidate will work out of Richmond, Virginia office with a hybrid schedule of 50% i