Senior Brand Manager - RAGU

Based in our Corporate Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family‑owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for over 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty‑Asian and food‑ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers. Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.

We are looking for people who are seeking to deliver their best so that we can deliver ours. Above all, we’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of our greatest assets—our team members. That’s reflected in our ongoing commitment to recruit, develop, reward, and retain our talented, multicultural workforce. We hope to see you as part of our team’s future success!

Position Summary

The Senior Brand Manager provides strategic leadership for an assigned brand portfolio and acts as the general manager of the business. This role is responsible for delivering net sales, operating income, market share growth, and consumption targets while driving brand equity and innovation. This role leads the development and execution of the marketing and communications strategy supporting consistent growth and plan delivery. Responsibilities span portfolio strategy, project management, innovation and commercialization, category management, and brand communications.

About The Job

• Mizkan America has a portfolio that includes RAGU, Bertolli, Holland House, ANGOSTURA, Zing Zang, Nakano and Mizkan. Our product range spans pasta sauces, cooking wines, rice vinegars, cocktail mixers and more, with our products available through mass‑market channels, specialty retailers and e‑commerce.
• RAGU is synonymous with the pasta sauce category, with nearly 90 years of legacy since being launched by Assunta Cansitano in 1937. RAGU is the category leader in Unaided Awareness, and one of America’s Most Loved and Trusted Brands across both 2025 and 2026.
• We are hiring a Senior Brand Manager to lead RAGU on the next chapter of the brand’s journey.
• The Senior Brand Manager is a strategic and hands‑on leader responsible for driving growth of the RAGU portfolio through business management, innovation, integrated marketing, and retailer‑specific activation. You will own the brand’s business performance, lead cross‑functional initiatives, and ensure excellence in execution across all consumer and customer touchpoints.

Essential Functions

Brand & Business Leadership

• Serve as brand business owner by developing and executing comprehensive brand plans that drive growth and profitability.
• Lead day‑to‑day management, execution and optimization of plans to deliver against business objectives, leading business decisions to drive top and bottom‑line growth.
• Collaborate with Revenue Management, Sales COE, R&D and other cross‑functional stakeholders to operate as an integrated commercial team.
• Partner with Sales to strengthen channel strategy and expand physical availability across retail channels.
• Define and support pricing strategies, promotion and pricing architecture (PPA) optimization, and initiatives to grow category share and penetrate new retail frontiers.
• Refine brand positioning and consumer targets; ensure all activations and communications align with the brand strategy.
• Lead business analytics across consumption, gross sales, and marketing budget; providing insights and clear action plans.
• Manage syndicated data sources (e.g., IRI/Circana) and develop performance reports and analyses.
• Maintain and evolve brand guidelines and masterbrand principles to ensure cohesive positioning across the portfolio.
• Serve as the central point of coordination (“hub of the wheel”) for brand‑related and cross‑functional activities that influence the 4Ps.

Brand Marketing & Communications

• Lead the development and execution of consumer‑facing content and communications.
• Define, align, and track key brand performance metrics.
• Develop campaign platforms, write agency briefs, and lead the Integrated Marketing Team (IMT) from idea through activation.
• Establish campaign KPIs and performance measurement frameworks.
• Apply category and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Partner with Connected Commerce to develop and activate omni‑channel marketing plans, including retailer media, e‑commerce, and in‑store initiatives.
• Partner with Sales Planning to support trade development and execution.

Innovation, Renovation & Commercialization

• Lead innovation and renovation strategies through cross‑functional collaboration.
• Partner with the Innovation Lead to build and maintain a 3–5‑year innovation pipeline.
• Develop commercialization project plans to support new product launches and renovations.
• Challenge the status quo to enable faster, more agile innovation and commercialization methods.

Financial Management

• Manage the brand marketing budget and P&L.
• Drive initiatives that improve ROI and optimize resource allocation.
• Ensure brand plans meet or exceed financial targets.
• Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities that protect or enhance gross margin.

People Leadership & Workplace Expectations

• Coach and mentor Associate Brand Manager(s) to drive high performance support development.
• Perform other duties assigned that support the overall success of the team, department, or organization. This may include participating in cross‑functional initiatives, contributing to process improvements, or assisting with special projects as needed.
• This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required for this role.
• Regular, predictable, in‑person attendance on the business days the Company requires in‑person attendance at this facility. (In‑person attendance is optional on the other workdays.) For non‑required‑in‑person attendance days, employees are expected to be present and engaged during the designated work hours for this role.

Key Skills/Competencies

• Strong business and financial acumen, analytical capability, and strategic thinking.
• Ownership mindset with a strong drive for results.
• High sense of urgency; proactive self‑directed leader.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with syndicated data tools (IRI, Circana).
• Consumer‑centric mindset with ability to translate insights into action.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, root cause analysis, and ability to operate in ambiguity.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Resourceful, hands‑on and passionate about innovation.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo constructively.
• Fluency with omnichannel marketing strategies and execution.
• Strong cross‑functional partnership and strategic thinking.
• Leadership capabilities to coach, mentor, drive collaboration, and high performance.

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree: MBA preferred or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of classic brand marketing or marketing communications experience, preferably within CPG food and beverage and with a well‑known brand.
• Experience managing one or more brands.
• Demonstrated success in brand strategy development and execution.
• Prior P&L ownership and A&P budget management experience.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and agency partners.
• Limited travel required.

Physical Requirements And Work Conditions

• Ability to remain seated at a workstation for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Ability to view computer screens and read printed materials for prolonged periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, and reaching within the office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry office supplies or equipment weighing up to 10–15 lbs.

Adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person and via phone/video.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $160,000-$170,000.

Compensation is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills and experience. Short‑Term Incentive and other forms of compensation may also be provided as part of a total compensation package.

A full range of medical, dental, vision, 401K plus up‑to‑four percent (4%) match, profit sharing, wellness program, paid parental leave, long‑term‑care insurance, critical accident insurance, short‑and long‑term disability and education assistance are also available.

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