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The Portfolio Manager is responsible for driving portfolio performance through SKU-level decisions, category direction, and cross-functional execution. The Portfolio Manager ensures the portfolio is optimized for sales, margin, and brand focus by managing SKU rationalization, category prioritization, and ongoing portfolio governance within the competitive food landscape.  This position reports to the Director of Marketing HQ.

Essential Job Functions:

• Define a category structure rooted in market and competitive context to guide product strategy, and drive cross-functional alignment to ensure consistent portfolio segmentation and prioritization.
• Own SKU-level decisions (Grow / Maintain / Exit) based on performance, profitability, and strategic fit, while considering seasonal demand and shelf-life constraints.
• Define category direction using structured tools (e.g., positioning maps) and identify growth, maintenance, and "fix" areas
• Provide clear direction on product lifecycle decisions, including new flavor launches, pack-size scaling, formulation rationalization, and discontinuation.
• Lead portfolio governance cadence, including monthly SKU reviews and decision tracking
• Drive cross-functional alignment and lead discussions on prioritization, manufacturing trade-offs (e.g., line capacity), and SKU discontinuation.
• Monitor portfolio performance (sales, margin, and mix) and identify inefficiencies such as ingredient SKU proliferation or margin dilution from high-cost commodities.
• Translate performance insights into actionable recommendations and corrective actions for the company's food product line.
• Leverage external data and consumer insights to inform portfolio decisions and connect market trends to actionable priorities.

Experience/ Training/ Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, or Food Science
• An MBA is highly preferred, as it provides the strategic framework necessary for managing complex P&Ls and long-term category planning.
• Proficiency in syndicating market data tools like Nielsen or IRI to track market share and consumer trends.
• Advanced training in P&L management, specifically focusing on Gross Margin, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), and price-pack architecture.
• 5 to 8 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), specifically within Food & Beverage.
• Proven experience in category management or brand management where the candidate has managed a diverse range of SKUs.
• Exposure to manufacturing constraints, such as minimum order quantities (MOQs), production line changeovers, and cold-chain logistics, is critical for realistic portfolio planning.
• Familiarity with sales and merchandising processes to understand how products are positioned and perform in the market.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Strong financial acumen with a focus on COGS management, including the impact of ingredient commodity volatility on portfolio margins.
• Ability to synthesize syndicated market data (Nielsen/IRI) and consumer sensory insights into actionable portfolio strategies.
• Knowledge of food category management, including managing seasonal rotations and the complexities of short-shelf-life product lifecycles.
• Decisive SKU-level management, balancing brand "hero" items with the operational need to rationalize low-velocity or high-complexity items.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, bridging gaps among Product Management, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure commercial viability.
• Expert stakeholder management with the ability to navigate supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages through agile portfolio adjustments.
• Ability to operate in ambiguous environments and make decisions with incomplete data.
• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for outcomes.

Working conditions: 

The Portfolio Manager typically operates in a comfortable office environment, though the nature of the role requires flexibility to meet critical deadlines through occasional extended hours. Given the dynamic nature of projects, the Portfolio Manager may be required to maintain on-call availability during early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position involves travel, including domestic and some international trips for meetings and branch office support. Furthermore, the Portfolio Manager will be responsible for conducting site visits to local markets and food service businesses to collect essential data on market conditions, which informs SKU performance analysis and optimization opportunities. Travel is also required to attend key sponsored events, such as industry food shows in New York, Florida, and San Francisco, and the Portfolio Manager may periodically visit other locations to gain a comprehensive understanding of regional market trends.