About Ocean Spray – A Heritage of Innovation and Community
Ocean Spray isn’t just a name on a bottle; it’s a living, breathing cooperative of more than 700 family‑run farms that cultivate the world’s most beloved cranberries, grapefruits, and other superfruits. For over a century, the company has turned those harvests into iconic beverages that bring vitality to breakfast tables, post‑workout routines, and family gatherings alike. As a global leader in Better‑For‑You (BFY) beverages, Ocean Spray blends a commitment to sustainability, farmer‑owner prosperity, and consumer health. Our mission is simple yet powerful: deliver honest, simple goodness that fuels vibrant, healthy lives while honoring the growers who make it all possible.
Why This Role Matters – The Bigger Picture
Our Better‑For‑You Juice Portfolio is the #1 self‑stable juice brand in its category across North America. It’s more than a product line; it’s a platform for innovation, growth, and meaningful consumer connections. As an Associate Brand Manager, you will be a pivotal voice in shaping the future of this portfolio, driving market expansion, and ensuring that every bottle reflects the cooperative’s values of integrity, sustainability, and inclusive teamwork.
Position Summary – What You’ll Own
Reporting to the Senior Brand Manager, Better‑For‑You Beverages, you will be a core member of the Beverage Brand Marketing Team. Working in a hybrid environment—splitting time between our Lakeville headquarters, our vibrant Seaport Boston office, and remote days—you’ll partner with cross‑functional teams to deliver consumer‑centric strategies that meet and exceed annual financial targets. This role blends analytical rigor with creative storytelling, offering you the chance to influence product development, packaging, pricing, and promotional tactics from concept through shelf.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Co‑develop and own the annual marketing plan, aligning brand objectives with sales forecasts, consumer insights, and market trends.
- Data‑Driven Insight Generation: Monitor weekly consumption data and internal shipment metrics; translate IRI/Nielsen POS data into actionable recommendations that inform product innovation and media spend.
- Budget Management: Administer a multimillion‑dollar A&P budget, including invoice processing, monthly accruals, and variance analysis to ensure optimal ROI.
- Forecasting & Demand Planning: Lead channel‑specific forecasts for BFY beverages, collaborating closely with the demand planning team to align production with market demand.
- Packaging Innovation: Own key packaging projects, partnering with internal design teams and external agencies to create eye‑catching, functional, and sustainable packaging solutions.
- Cross‑Functional Leadership: Convene and guide diverse project teams—sales, supply chain, finance, R&D—to bring new initiatives to market on time and within budget.
- Communication & Reporting: Craft compelling monthly and quarterly business updates, sales decks, and performance dashboards for senior leadership and grower‑owners.
- Consumer Voice Champion: Conduct consumer panels, focus groups, and market research to ensure the brand remains deeply rooted in consumer desire and lifestyle trends.
Essential Qualifications – What You Bring to the Table
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline (required).
- MBA or advanced graduate degree (preferred).
- 2‑3+ years of experience in CPG brand management, marketing consultancy, or a comparable role where you owned P&L responsibilities.
- Demonstrated proficiency with IRI, Nielsen, or similar POS data platforms, and the ability to translate large data sets into concise, strategic insights.
- Strong organizational skills with a keen eye for detail; comfortable juggling multiple projects without sacrificing quality.
- Proven ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for storytelling that bridges analytics and creativity.
Preferred Qualifications – Nice to Have
- Experience managing a multimillion‑dollar marketing budget.
- Background in beverage category, particularly in “Better‑For‑You” or health‑focused product lines.
- Exposure to packaging design processes, sustainability initiatives, or regulatory compliance within food & beverage.
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum project management methodologies.
- Previous involvement in consumer research methods such as ethnography, taste panels, or digital sentiment analysis.
Core Skills & Competencies for Success
- Analytical Acumen: Ability to dissect market data, spot trends, and forecast demand with precision.
- Creative Thinking: Comfort generating fresh ideas for product extensions, marketing campaigns, and packaging concepts.
- Collaboration: Team‑oriented mindset that thrives in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment.
- Leadership Presence: Confidence to present to senior leaders, champion projects, and drive decisions forward.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to navigate a fast‑moving consumer landscape and pivot strategies as needed.
- Customer‑Centricity: Unwavering focus on the consumer’s needs, motivations, and lifestyle shifts.
- Ethical Judgment: Commitment to the cooperative’s values of integrity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Culture, Work Environment & Team Dynamics
At Ocean Spray, culture is more than a buzzword; it’s a lived experience. Our teams operate with a grower‑mindset, honoring the cooperative roots that make every decision feel personal. Expect a supportive environment that champions:
- Inclusive teamwork—diverse perspectives are celebrated and leveraged for better outcomes.
- Continuous learning—access to LinkedIn Learning, tuition assistance, and mentorship programs.
- Flexibility—hybrid work schedule with remote Mondays and Fridays, empowering work‑life harmony.
- Health & wellness—comprehensive benefits from day one, including telehealth, fitness reimbursements, and mental‑health resources.
- Community impact—opportunities to engage with farmer‑owners, sustainability initiatives, and charitable giving.
Compensation, Benefits & Perks
While the exact salary will be commensurate with experience, Ocean Spray offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support your professional growth and personal well‑being:
- Health Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, and a Health Savings Account (HSA) from day one.
- Financial Security: 401(k) with up to 10% company match, life and accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
- Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of vacation (prorated for the first year), 12 paid holidays, and parental leave.
- Well‑Being Programs: Telehealth, fertility benefits, transgender health benefits, 1:1 health coaching, up to $300 annually for fitness and massage reimbursements.
- Family Support: Bright Horizons backup care, tutoring, adoption assistance, and bereavement leave.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, LinkedIn Learning subscriptions, and scholarship programs for employees’ children.
- Recognition & Community: Employee appreciation events, discount programs, charitable contribution matching, and an inclusive, supportive workplace culture.
Career Growth & Learning Opportunities
Ocean Spray invests heavily in its people. As an Associate Brand Manager, you will be positioned to:
- Accelerate toward senior brand management roles within the beverage division.
- Gain exposure to cross‑functional leadership, including supply chain, finance, and R&D.
- Participate in strategic initiatives that shape the future of the BFY portfolio.
- Earn certifications and advanced training in data analytics, brand strategy, and sustainable packaging.
- Build a robust professional network across the cooperative, industry partners, and consumer research communities.
How to Apply – Take the Next Step
If you are an ambitious, data‑savvy marketer with a passion for healthier beverages and a desire to make a tangible impact on both consumers and grower‑owners, we want to hear from you. Bring your analytical expertise, creative flair, and collaborative spirit to a brand that’s shaping the future of nutrition.
To join our vibrant team:
- Prepare an updated résumé highlighting relevant brand management experience.
- Craft a concise cover letter describing how your background aligns with the responsibilities and values outlined above.
- Submit your application via the link below. We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to connect with qualified candidates promptly.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply today and become part of a cooperative that blends tradition with innovation, cares for the planet, and puts people—farmers, families, and employees—at the heart of everything we do.
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