Sr. Director, Platform Development

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Travel requirements are 15-20%.

Want to make an impact?

At Ferrara, we are accelerating our global expansion and building the next chapter of our iconic portfolio. As Sr. Director, Platform Development, you will play a critical role in shaping Ferrara’s long-term growth by defining and activating global strategic platforms that span North America, South America, and Europe. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, this role will influence enterprise-wide strategy and help define the roadmap for the next 3 to 5 years and will have significant exposure to top leadership, including the Group CEO, the local market Business Units, and Country/Region Marketing Heads. 

Ways you will make a difference

• Lead end-to-end global market segmentation and category understanding across regions, partnering closely with local Marketing teams and overseeing the support of Ferrara’s Consumer Insights function.
• Design and build global strategic platforms rooted in consumer and market insights, defining clear product and brand portfolio architectures across geographies.
• Partner with regional and local Marketing teams, Business Units, R&D, Manufacturing, and the Executive Chairman Strategy team to align global platforms with local market realities.
• Create and roll out mid- and long-term development plans for each strategic platform, including innovation pipelines, brand roles, and growth roadmaps.
• Bring a new global strategic mindset to Ferrara by balancing global scale with local relevance and leading change across a complex, multinational environment.
• Coach, manage, and develop a team member, building strong strategic capabilities across data gathering, analysis, frameworks, and strategic planning.

Skills that will make you successful

• Ability to navigate and simplify complexity across multiple regions, categories, and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design new approaches to highly complex, ambiguous challenges.
• Proven change management capabilities, influencing teams to move from local-first thinking to a global platform mindset.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with comfort engaging senior executives and top management.
• Analytical rigor combined with creativity—able to translate deep insights into actionable strategies and roadmaps.
• Leadership and coaching skills, with a passion for developing.

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Engineering, Economics, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred. 
• 10-15 years of experience in global marketing and strategy roles in a multinational company (CPG and consulting firms preferred). 

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $162,975 to $228,165 annually.