Assistant Brand Manager - Pet Health & Wellness

Description

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. We are making significant investments in our marketing team, fueling our growth aspiration behind consumer-driven innovation and consumer insights-based content.

Central is home to a leading portfolio of over 65 forward-thinking, high-quality brands dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Pet acquisition is higher among the younger generational cohorts (Millennials and Gen Z) and, driven by Millennials, spending on pets is expected to double by 2030. These are entrepreneurial categories, in which you'll have the opportunity to test and learn, innovate, and develop marketing skills through hands-on opportunities.

Our Pet Segment is searching for an Assistant Brand Manager to join our high-growth, startup team on the "Health and Wellness" Business Unit (BU). This BU offers products that support the general health and wellbeing of dogs and cats, with a portfolio of brands in the calming, supplements, and flea & tick categories. The business is sold on ecommerce through retailers like Amazon and Chewy and has a significant presence in the Pet Specialty channel and at Walmart. There is ample opportunity to extend the distribution footprint behind powerful collaboration with our sales and category management teams and to build insights-based selling strategies, inclusive of product and packaging innovation.

This position will be responsible for supporting strategies to win with consumers and retailers, alike, based on solid insights, superior products, and total proposition design that delights. You will actively contribute to and influence the cross-functional team, leading with a collaborative and inquisitive style that enables data-based decisions along the journey. You will have broad exposure to a cross-functional business unit (eg finance, sales, operations, etc) and leverage the marketing center of excellence for consumer insight and content development. The position reports to a Senior Brand Manager within the "Health & Wellness" Business Unit; he/she is located in New York City. While we are open to all candidates who live within 30 miles of a Central location, we do prioritize candidates in Chicago, where most of the marketing team is located.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct regular analysis of key eCommerce metrics and consumer feedback to provide insights and recommendations to inform product development and marketing strategy
• Develop and implement marketing initiatives, from innovative brand campaigns to packaging artwork updates, working with cross-functional teams to execute on time and on budget, from brief through commercialization
• Work closely with brand teams to ensure consistency in messaging and branding across all digital channels
• Collaborate with sales, PIM, and CRM resources to develop and implement strategies to drive online sales and increase visibility across various eCommerce platforms
• Monitor and track competitor activity and industry trends, staying up to date on best practices and new technologies, to identify opportunities to improve brand presence
• Collaborate with external agencies and partners to execute digital marketing campaigns and initiatives
• Own your piece of the marketing budget, maximizing working dollars and delivering ROI commitments

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Analytical Mindset: We value a leader who can analyze data from a variety of sources and draw actionable, impactful conclusions that set the strategy for in-market activation and new product development. We're growing a new business, quickly, and seek someone with a bias for optimism and a knack for problem solving.
• Consumer-centricity: Everything we do is grounded in insight and human truth. The ideal candidate is a student of the marketing function, the CPG industry, and the human condition. They are passionate about delivering compelling and inspiring work.
• Collaboration: Our matrixed organization values teamwork, active listening, and trust. This job requires someone who can build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships, often across multiple geographies & time zones. Effective written and verbal communication is a must.
• Organization & Time Management: High-growth businesses move quickly. This person will be balancing multiple priorities / projects in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. We need this person to maintain timelines and budgets, seeing the interdependencies of tasks and seeking help with roadblocks early.
• Detail Orientation: A commitment to accuracy and quality remains central to the job.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

• College Degree (BA/BS) required
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working within a marketing driven company
• Consumer Packaged Goods and/or Digital marketing preferred; Pet industry a plus
• Working familiarity with and desire to lead in analytics, SEO/SEM, and digital technologies
• Computer proficiency on all MS Office applications
• Willingness to travel (overnights) once per quarter

The Health and Wellness BU is unique within Central because key members are geographically dispersed. Several leaders are in Chicago, but we have core team members in New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Walnut Creek, CA. Sales personnel are dispersed throughout the country. Manufacturing, purchasing, engineering and some R & D is in Dallas, Texas. It is expected that this position would develop a close and collaborative working relationship across the entire organization.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Cadet, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Kaytee, K&H, Nylabone and Pennington, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California and has 6,700 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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