Communication Director Jobs in Racine, WI (NOW HIRING)

Description

This opportunity may be your "golden ticket"!

While Willy Wonka's World of Chocolate is not located in Wisconsin, Denali Ingredients is, and we make all those scrumptious goodies found in your favorite ice cream flavor. Each day, we make fudge and caramel swirls, cookie dough, brownies and more. We ship to business customers across the US and Canada, spreading deliciousness nationwide.

Denali is a growing ingredient supplier. We believe in fast-paced fun, continually developing new products for today's dynamic consumer preferences. We stay well-connected to the industry we serve through our R&D, sales, and marketing efforts. Denali brings innovation forward to customers, and we collaboratively innovate with our customers for new custom products.

Summary

The Director of Marketing is accountable for leading and executing all core marketing and brand-related activities for Denali Ingredients. This role serves as the primary steward of the corporate brand, with responsibility for protecting, strengthening, and consistently applying Denali's brand across all internal and external touch points.

A central priority of this role will be managing the company's brand evolution, including an upcoming corporate renaming and rebranding initiative, updating all marketing materials and templates, and ensuring disciplined compliance with brand standards to build long-term brand equity and reputation.

The Director of Marketing collaborates closely with Sales, R&D, and other functional leaders to ensure marketing efforts support Denali's growth strategy through effective customer engagement, sales enablement, and market-facing communications. This role also plays an important part in advancing OFI's North America growth ambitions, including supporting the branding and communications integration of future acquisitions.

The position will initially manage one direct report, with potential to expand the team as business needs grow and evolve.

Key Responsibilities This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded as needed.

1. Marketing Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual marketing strategy, execution plan, and budget in collaboration with business leadership.
• Own accountability for marketing spend effectiveness and alignment with business priorities.

2. Corporate Brand Ownership & Governance

• Own and manage the Denali Ingredients corporate brand, ensuring all communications comply with established brand guidelines.
• Lead and execute the corporate renaming and rebranding initiative, including messaging, visual identity rollout, templates, and internal/external alignment.
• Establish and enforce brand governance processes to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across all materials and channels.

3. Marketing Communications & Quality Control

• Oversee development, maintenance, and quality control of all marketing communications, including: 

       ~ Sales presentations and templates

       ~ Website and digital content

       ~ Social media and PR

       ~ Tradeshow materials and corporate collateral

• Support the team's development of marketing materials and communications and act as a quality gate to ensure a high professional standard is consistently met.

4. Integrated Marketing Campaigns

• Plan and execute integrated marketing programs across channels and product lines.
• Monitor performance and analytics to assess effectiveness and make adjustments to ensure desired outcomes.

5. Sales Enablement & Commercial Support

• Ensure the sales organization is routinely provided with updated, high-quality tools and materials that enable effective customer engagement.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, R&D, and others to select and position products / solutions that support profitable growth.
• Develop customer-facing messaging that positions Denali as a subject matter expert and trusted partner.

6. Market Insights & Customer Engagement

• Analyze market data and trends to generate insights that inform commercial strategy and growth initiatives.
• Develop customer-specific insights and presentations to support customer innovation and growth programs.
• Engage directly with customers, as appropriate, to present market insights, represent Denali, and strengthen relationships.

7. Tradeshow & External Presence

• Own planning and execution of tradeshows and industry events in alignment with business objectives.
• Ensure Denali's external presence consistently reinforces brand positioning and strategic priorities.

8. Brand Equity & Reputation Building

• Build awareness and reinforce Denali's reputation among key decision-makers as a "go-to" ingredient solutions partner.
• Continually enhance the company's industry image, credibility, and "good name & reputation."

9. Performance Measurement

• Develop and monitor KPIs to assess the effectiveness of marketing investments (e.g., lead generation, customer activation, opportunity creation, wins, revenue impact).
• Adjust programs and resource allocation based on performance and business needs.

10. OFI North America & M&A Support

• Support OFI North America commercial and growth initiatives through aligned branding and messaging.
• Play a key role in integrating future acquisitions, including brand transition planning, communications alignment, and collateral updates.

11. Leadership & People Development

• Manage and develop a small marketing team (initially one direct report).
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-accountability work environment.
• Contribute as a leader within Denali Ingredients to engagement, talent development, and cross-functional effectiveness.

12. Industry Knowledge

• Maintain strong knowledge of the food and food ingredients industries, customer needs, routes to market, and relevant supplier networks.
• Stay current on customer, consumer, and market trends impacting Denali's business.

13. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

A qualified individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Additionally, they must fulfill essential job functions in a consistent state of alertness and safe manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Ensure Workplace Safety:

• Actively demonstrate and drive behaviors that result in zero accidents and injuries. Demonstrates that our employees are the most important asset under our care by making their safety the number one priority.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10-15 years of progressive marketing experience.
• B2B marketing experience, preferably within food ingredients, flavors, or a similar industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing and evolving a corporate brand, including rebranding initiatives.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with solid business acumen.
• Proven ability to project a highly professional brand image across all communication vehicles.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and managing budgets.
• 3-5+ years of people management experience.
• Willingness to travel, as required.

Skills, Traits, & Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Strong presentation development capability and attention to detail.
• Brand-focused mindset with high standards for quality and consistency.
• Collaborative, yet confident and assertive when protecting brand integrity.
• Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Analytical and able to draw conclusions from complex or imperfect information.
• Self-motivated, accountable, and ownership-oriented.
• Creative, pragmatic, and adaptable in a growth-oriented environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

•  Direct management of marketing staff; initially one direct report, with potential for growth.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, carrying boxes, materials, and product. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Denali Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a culture of belonging through our commitment to attracting and retaining diverse talent from all backgrounds, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant and believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience.

Denali Ingredients is located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. We are customer-centric, fun and engaging. Beyond making ice cream treats tastier, Denali provides a fast-paced stimulating international environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits, training, mentoring and growth opportunities. Join a team that makes the world a sweeter place!

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.