Associate Product Manager- Desserts

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

As Associate Product Manager, Desserts Category Business Unit, you will be responsible for supporting the planning and execution of fully finished desserts strategy and the execution of related fully finished desserts STM and growth initiatives.

This is a hybrid opportunity at our Buffalo NY, world headquarters 

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Planning    
Partnering with Desserts leadership, contribute to the development of the category strategies and plans
Executes assigned category plans to achieve market share, volume and profit targets (including responding to trends, portfolio mapping, innovation/renovation activity)
Cross-functional team leadership on key initiatives, products and programs
Understands the Market 
Understands the customer, competitor, consumer and Rich’s capabilities and other insights that will be leveraged to shape the category
Performs competitive analysis, market quantification and assessment
Participate in Discovery work to generate new products and platforms within appropriate target segments
Drives VOCC for customer and consumer and supports the translation into business opportunities
Responsible for understanding the market to drive insights that help shape strategy and drive outcomes
Marketing Management
Partnering with Desserts marketing leadership:
Assist in the development and implementation of brand strategy, marketing plans and programs that produce targeted results within budget.
Develop plans and collaborate with the Customer/Segment Marketing for assigned categories in order to meet sales and margin targets.
Collaborate with Demand Creation COE digital resources to drive demand
Product Management
Partnering with Desserts leadership, provide support in driving the development, maintenance and overall management of the assigned categories to maximize sales and profit potential including:
Aggressive renovation of existing products in alignment with overall category strategy.
Execute/Lead innovation initiatives within assigned category where appropriate (scope, target customer, pricing strategy, launch strategy, opportunity assessment, P&L, etc.) consulting with category leadership as needed.
Develop the ability to drive forecasting process by providing input and oversight of Demand plan, including risks and opportunities for assigned category.
Own the P&L for assigned category: actual vs plan; analyze data and make recommendations consulting with category leadership as needed.
Perform analysis and make pricing recommendations for new and existing products based on price/value relationships and the competitive set in alignment with product leadership
Financial Management
P&L analysis to escalate trends to leverage opportunities and manage risk
Support execution of portfolio price increases
Manage marketing budget for assigned projects/initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field required (MBA preferred)
• 2+ years of experience in a marketing role in food service or related field
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated financial skills to include P&L analysis and other analyses
• Solid communication skills to include verbal and written capabilities; strong presentation ability including with all audiences and levels of management
• Successful track record of uncovering VOC and interacting with customers
• De