Brand Manager

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Brand Manager! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since. 

Ocean Spray is hiring a Brand Manager to support our USA Foods Business across our Growth Channels. We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role, it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all, and we’ve been making our own way ever since.
Reporting to the Senior Director of USA Foods, you will shape both short term and long term strategy while leading marketing programs and innovation projects across Foodservice, Natural, Value, Drug, and eCommerce channels. You’ll partner closely with cross-functional teams - from Revenue Growth Management and Insights to Sales and Brand Elevation - to bring growth-driving initiatives to life. This role is ideal for someone with strong CPG marketing experience who’s comfortable navigating ambiguity, working shoulder to shoulder with the team, and driven to deliver step change impact.
Every day is different, and a day in the life might include…
• Partnering with the Senior Director to craft a compelling growth strategy that leverages the existing portfolio and identifies innovation opportunities to deepen penetration across the Value channel
• Leading cross functional teams in our FUEL innovation process to launch a new packaging format tailored to meet the consumer needs and customer requirements in the eCommerce channel
• Developing and executing a K-12 Marketing Campaign for School Nutritionists to inform them of the benefits of our new lower sugar, higher fiber offering that meets both taste expectations and fruit requirements
• Collaborating closely with a Foodservice Sales Director to tailor a seasonal strategy to drive increased menu placement of Craisins® for the Holidays across restaurants
• Managing the Growth Channels P&L, including forecasting volume, overseeing brand budgets, and identifying drivers of financial performance to ensure we deliver value and strong returns for our Grower-Owners

A Day in the Life...

• General Management: Synthesize performance trends, identify key drivers, and surface opportunities to accelerate growth and mitigate risks.  Maintain a strong command of business fundamentals, including volume forecasts, consumption trends, distribution, pricing, and competitive dynamics.

• Strategy Development: Partner with the Senior Director to build comprehensive Long-Range Plans and Annual Operating Plans, including annual marketing plans and innovation pipelines for Growth Channels. 
• Planning and Execution: Oversee the creation of semi‑annual selling materials and narratives for the Retail Sales team, ensuring customer‑ready stories are grounded in insights and brand strategy.

• Communication & Messaging: Shape the communication strategy for priority initiatives, partnering closely with Brand Elevation to execute marketing programs.  Ensure channel‑right messaging, claims, packaging, and content reflect brand positioning and resonate with target consumers and customers.

• Innovation & Renovation: Champion innovation and margin optimization by identifying whitespace opportunities, guiding cross‑functional teams through concepting, development, packaging, and commercialization, and ensuring successful launch execution.

• Teaming & Leadership: Inspire and influence a broad cross‑functional team to deliver high‑impact projects that drive growth across key channels. 

What We Are Looking For:

Requirements:

• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting both quantitative (e.g. syndicated POS, panel) and qualitative datasets, and translating insights into actionable strategies
• Proven experience partnering and leading cross‑functionally (Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, R&D, Design) to drive projects from concept to execution
• Solid understanding of P&L management, volume forecasting, annual budgeting, and key financial drivers
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines—balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on execution in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and influence across levels of the organization
• 5+ years of experience in marketing or innovation, preferably within Food or Beverage CPG

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree in Marketing, Business, or related field
• Experience in Foodservice, Natural, Value, Drug, or eCommerce channels
• Background in margin optimization, price-pack architecture, or design-to-value

Education:

Bachelor's or University Degree (Required) Master's Degree (Preferred)

Work Experience:

At least 5 Years of Experience

Annual Salary:

$116,300 - $159,940

The base salary range information above serves as a guideline of the position’s typical hiring range.  We value and appreciate what makes you unique and will consider a variety of factors when determining an offer.  These factors include, but are not limited to, your skills and experience, external and internal benchmarks, as well as overall company considerations.  Certain positions may be eligible for short-term and long-term incentive rewards. We also offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being.

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs

• • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

  • Health savings account

  • Flexible spending account

  • Life and accident insurance

  • Employee assistance program

  • Telehealth services

  • 1:1 health coaching

  • Supportive benefits for all the stages of your life

• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end

• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses

• Flexible scheduling options

• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)

• Holiday pay for 12 holidays

• Career development and growth opportunities

• Tuition/Education assistance programs

• Access to LinkedIn Learning

• Scholarship programs for children of employees

• Parental leave

• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.

• Adoption assistance

• Bereavement leave

• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement

• Up to $300 massage reimbursement

• Employee appreciation events

• Employee discounts

• Charitable giving

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike--we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.

For MA Applicants – It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Any employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.