Brand Manager, Cup Noodle

Location Type: Remote: open to residents of any country

Industry: INDIRECT

Company: Nissin Foods

About the Company

There is only one company that can rightfully claim the Pinnacle of Noodledom. Only one company whose founder, faced with a Japanese food shortage after WWII, invented instant ramen and sparked a 3-minute global revolution. Only one whose spirit of innovation continues to provide simple, nourishing delight to billions of people. Only one that has been loved around the world for more than 60 years. There is only one Nissin Foods.

On a trip to the U.S. in 1966, Mr. Ando noticed Americans curiously eating forkfuls of noodles out of cups, instead of using bowls and chopsticks. With that simple observation, the worldwide Cup Noodles® phenomenon was born. Shortly after, Nissin officially put down its roots in the U.S. In 1972, our Gardena, CA, plant started production of Top Ramen®-the first instant ramen manufactured and sold in the U.S. And ever since, Nissin Foods USA has launched a continuous stream of new and innovative products for hungry, noodle-loving Americans.

Day in the Life of a Brand Manager

The Brand Manager will serve as a key team member who will report to the Marketing Director and will be focused on supporting the total Cup Noodles brand while owning and driving several Cup Noodles sub-brands. The Brand Manager will be responsible for assisting in the planning, development and implementation of marketing strategy, communications, innovation, renovation and management for Cup Noodles sub-brands in an effort to exceed stated volume and profit objectives.

Role Highlights:

With a deep knowledge of the business and a results-driven mindset, segments and competitive landscape, the Brand Manager will leverage consumer, marketplace and customer insights and trends to support the Marketing Director in driving strategy and plans.

• Leads marketing efforts for assigned brands/products as well as supports the planning and execution of short-and long-term marketing plans.
• Collaborates with and influences cross-functional teams in project management activities to ensure delivery of profitable new products and renovation of existing products that meet consumer and customer needs.
• Leads the efforts of agency partners on marketing communications and coordinates at the tactical levels with the other business functions of Nissin Foods USA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Business & Financial Acumen

• Pulls and analyzes IRI data to garner actionable insights
• Oversees and understands brand budget and levers
• Performs ROI on tactics to understand how to invest for future
• Reviews brand P&Ls and recommends actions

Strategic Thinking

• With a deep knowledge of the business and a results-driven mindset, segments and competitive landscape, the Brand Manager will leverage consumer, marketplace and customer insights and trends to support the Marketing Director in driving strategy and plans.
• Links consumer, competitive & cultural insights to drive actionable opportunities and subsequently articulates a relevant plan of action
• Draws connections between facts, ideas and situations and makes strong recommendations

Consumer Insights Advocacy

• Identifies & links consumer, category & brand insights from data & observation across multiple data sets to explain and identify brand opportunities
• Clearly articulates brand equity and positioning relative to consumer and cultural insights
• Applies core marketing frameworks to set brand strategy

Innovation & Renovation Development

• Pieces together insights & trends to identify patterns and build hypotheses for new product opportunities
• Develops winning ideas and knows how to move from insights into product ideas
• Leads and motivates cross-functional teams through commercialization or NPD process
• Ensures and is accountable for projects to meet deadlines

Initiative & People Leadership

• Coaches and acts as a resource for junior team member(s)
• Motivates cross-functional teams
• Leads marketing efforts for assigned brands/products as well as supports the planning and execution of short-and long-term marketing plans.
• Collaborates with and influences cross-functional teams in project management activities to ensure delivery of profitable new products and renovation of existing products that meet consumer and customer needs.
• Leads the efforts of agency partners on marketing communications and coordinates at the tactical levels with the other business functions of Nissin Foods USA.

All other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA strongly preferred
• Minimum 3-5 years of brand management experience within the CPG industry (food strongly preferred)

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Experience with IRI or Nielsen data pulling, analysis, and forming actionable insights to drive the business and identify gaps and opportunities
• Experience leading innovation commercialization projects from insight to launch
• Experience leading agencies to develop buzz-worthy marketing campaigns
• Experience partnering with FP&A to build and assess product P&Ls
• Exceptional analytical and project management skills
• Strong history of acting with accountability and with urgency
• Excellent attention to detail, planning and organizational skills
• Is self-motivated and uses creative problem-solving skills with an entrepreneurial spirit to resolve business issues/opportunities and thrives in an environment with minimal structure and processes.
• Demonstrated success in building solid working partnerships across functional groups and in managing teams on key projects against established deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Strong Microsoft proficiency (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)