Senior Product Manager, French's and AO Brands (HYBRID)

McCormick Canada continues its long track record of growth and is a respected leader in the spice, seasoning, flavouring and specialty food industry.  Our consumer products division serves retail grocery customers and emerging channels with Club House, Billy Bee and McCormick products, while our Custom Flavour Solutions division serves food service distributors and other respected food manufacturers across Canada.  McCormick Canada is part of the world leader in spice and seasonings, McCormick & Company Inc.

The Power of People is one of our five pillars.  It has been the foundation for McCormick's success for decades.  There is something inspiring about working at McCormick.  We have created an unusually dedicated workforce by fostering a culture of respect, recognition, inclusion and collaboration based on the highest ethical values.  Without our employees, our success is not possible.  Our commitment to our customers, our consumers and our employees is unsurpassed. 

The Senior Product Manager, French’s and AO Brands leads the P&L management and in-market results for the Canada Condiments, Toppers, Honey and Rice businesses.  This candidate will collaborate cross-functionally to lead the development and execution of the commercial agenda, innovation pipeline, and consumer strategy in alignment with operating plans. This includes leading the French’s brand to maintain it as a high growth business for McCormick. Reports to the Brand Director for Condiments, Sauces and Convenient Meals.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Business Performance: Responsible for delivering in-market goals such as sales, share and household penetration. Lead monthly business management reviews, including demand forecasting, consumption and financial review. Analyze market/consumer/trends and make strategic recommendations. Work closely with Insights team to develop breakthrough ideas that deliver against defined business objectives and identify growth initiatives based on brand, category, and channel dynamics.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to enable the commercial agenda and build pipelines to drive sustainable growth that support brand and category strategies.  Leads new product business case development and commercialization of new products, renovation initiatives, and cost savings opportunities.
• P&L and Forecast Management: Responsible for delivery of NS and OP. Sets and delivers the financial forecast, with responsibility for accuracy and bias throughout the year.  Manages P&L choices impacting Cost of Selling, Cost of Goods Sold and Marketing Investments.
• Annual Planning: Responsible for consumer and business strategies for long-term growth in line with company strategies. Owns French’s annual planning and works in close partnership with Trade Marketing, Category and Revenue Management to drive customer excitement behind these strategies and sell them externally.
• Advertising and Media: Develops briefs for integrated communications, creative, packaging design, market research and product development, in collaboration with Global and Regional Marketing as well as internal studio and other functions.  

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years of marketing and/or brand management experience
• Expertise in syndicated databases (e.g. Nielsen), business and brand planning, project management, advertising, and consumer communications
• Sound understanding of concepts, principles and practices in Marketing (functional expert) and a working knowledge of practices in other areas including Sales, Finance and Supply Chain
• Project management experience with ability to work collaboratively with diverse cross functional teams
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, influencing skills
• Strong analytical and business tracking skills to deliver clear data-based recommendations and forecast

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Has led product launches, advertising campaigns and brand planning
• Relevant skills and results in consumer-packaged goods
• Understanding of the Canadian retail environment