Director Marketing Research Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Marketing Director will serve as a key business leader who will inspire the marketing team and drive brand portfolio management, consumer communications and new product innovation launches, always incorporating a consumer‑centric perspective. The Director will be responsible for planning, development and implementation of marketing strategy, communications, innovation, renovation and portfolio management to exceed stated volume and profit objectives. The Marketing Director will oversee all aspects of Top Ramen® (including sub‑brands) and Nissin® endorsed brands (including Chow Mein, Hot & Spicy, and GEKI).

Work Designation

This position is a hybrid position which requires 3 days/week onsite.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesConsumer Insights and Business Acumen

• Displays a deep understanding of the consumer and drives a consumer first mentality within the organization.
• Understands relevant marketplace dynamics and other key issues that help the team in the development of the brand's marketing mix (e.g., product quality, pricing, promotions, and distribution).
• Analyzes category, brand, competitive and consumer trends to drive insights into action.
• Has a pulse on trends and category landscape that can influence product development pipelines.
• Accountable for analyzing multiple sources of data effectively to extract insights, find opportunities and risks, and take strategic actions on your brands. Includes POS data (e.g. IRI monthly), shipments, consumer research and third‑party data.
• Able to turn data into implications and actions for the brand.

Base Brand/Portfolio Management

• Develop strategic brand plans and translate strategies into annual marketing plans and programs in an effort to exceed stated volume and profit objectives.
• Works collaboratively with the team and cross functional partners, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of others to meet brand objectives.
• Works with the Sales Management and R&D teams to prioritize projects and related opportunities based on size of price and strategic considerations related to the consumer and the customer.
• Acts as general manager for brand P&L, understanding opportunities and risks in line items from topline and bottom line. Requires developing understanding of cross‑functional costs.
• Partners with Finance to ensure accuracy of P&L inputs and run scenarios for existing business as well as new projects impacting brand, e.g. innovation launches, renovation changes, customer‑specific opportunities.
• Advocates for improvements to brand P&L while weighing in voice of the consumer.

Innovation & Renovation

• Leads new product ideation and conceptualization for base brands.
• Builds 5‑year pipeline for brand portfolio including ideation, concept development, testing, technical assessments, financial assessments and project management.
• Leads packaging strategy to maximize brand equity at retail. Oversee the development of packaging graphics modification projects across agencies, internal cross‑functional teams, other segment leaders and Sales to ensure smooth product/graphics development and launches.
• Directs resource allocation (human and financial) and oversees implementation of innovation and renovation projects in brand portfolio.

Branding And Communications

• Directs product definition and packaging graphics direction.
• Ensures execution of packaging development projects.
• Guides marketing team and agencies in the planning of consumer advertising and promotions.
• Manages communications plan execution to deliver on‑budget, growth‑driving tactics in packaging, promotions, advertising, digital and social engagement.
• Works collaboratively with the Sales team to drive growth with retailers striving to reach the consumer and provides strategic direction in the development of selling and customer presentation documents.

Team Leadership & Development

• Identifies and leads direct reports, staff and agencies in management of efficient brand/product portfolio decisions including SKU rationalization, pricing, pack development and customer relations to deliver annual and long‑term sales and profit objectives.
• Partners with SVP of Marketing to establish marketing’s cross‑functional leadership role in order to build a high‑performance cross‑functional culture with sales, manufacturing, operations, purchasing, distribution, finance and outside agency partners, suppliers and brokers.
• Directs growth in marketing team’s business acumen including consumer insights, project management, financials, forecasting, building a business case, customer relations and presentation skills.

Evaluation Metrics

• Brand or Sub‑brand $ Sales, $ Sales growth and Market Share, Margin targets
• Flawless execution of project deliverables
• On‑time timeline deliverables
• Brand Health scores (e.g. share of voice, brand equity purchase funnel, household panel indicators)
• Innovation & Renovation Concept Scores
• Innovation & Renovation $ Sales and New product performance vs. forecast
• KPIs met on consumer campaigns and communication activities
• Self‑development and team development goals

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field
• 8–10 years of brand management experience within the CPG industry
• 3+ years managing direct reports
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Strong interpersonal skills

Preferred

• MBA
• CPG Food industry experience

EEO Statement

Nissin Foods USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.