Lead, Brand Activation & Partnerships-Distribution

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team to drive marketing strategy and brand activations through distribution partners and independent operators, ensuring alignment with AFH business objectives.
• Design and implement impactful marketing activations across in-restaurant experiences, E-commerce, and distribution networks, elevating brand equity and winning market share.
• Seek, build, and manage strategic brand partnerships that drive business growth and expand brand reach in key growth channels.
• Collaborate with brand marketing teams to transform business objectives into effective marketing strategies and execution plans.
• Develop senior-level relationships with key customers and industry partners to champion the marketing agenda and build strategic long-term plans.
• Partner with Sales and Culinary teams to identify and close new business opportunities, driving revenue growth, market penetration, and share gains.
• Utilize consumer, operator, and chef insights that translate into customer benefits while shaping channel strategies and creating compelling customer selling stories.
• Lead strategic initiatives that contribute to P&L growth, ensuring alignment with financial targets and efficient resource allocation.
• Represent Kraft Heinz within key industry events.
• Hire, develop, and lead a best-in-class marketing team, fostering creativity, accountability, and flawless execution with measurable business impact.
• Mentor and coach team members, promoting a culture of continuous learning and career development.
• Foster a collaborative, fast-paced 'entrepreneurial' team environment that encourages cross-functional partnerships and innovative problem-solving.
• Monitor and analyze campaign performance, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize marketing strategies and maximize ROI.
• Adapt to evolving business needs with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.
• Build coalitions and credibility across organizational levels through strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Maintain financial stewardship by effectively managing marketing budgets and resource allocations.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, identifying opportunities to maintain brand relevance and competitive advantage.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. An MBA with a marketing focus is preferred.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in brand marketing, product innovation, or multi-channel marketing. Experience in Foodservice marketing is a plus.
• Proven leadership experience with direct reports, demonstrating the ability to inspire, empower, prioritize with focus, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong relationship-building and managing upwards skills with senior executives, influencing decision-making, and driving strategic initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop long-term marketing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners while delivering activations, product launches, and all other initiatives with executional excellence.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset for navigating complex challenges.
• Analytical skills to interpret quantitative data, conduct trend analysis, and develop data-driven marketing strategies.
• Ability to balance creativity with business needs, leveraging consumer insights to inspire innovative marketing campaigns.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives with P&L accountability and financial management.
• Ability to quickly develop a level of organizational agility to navigate both formal and informal channels to achieve business objectives.
• Self-starter mentality with a positive attitude, consistently driving impactful results and championing innovative marketing solutions.
• Familiarity with digital marketing tools, CRM platforms, and marketing automation systems is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time for business, including meetings, site visits, and collaboration sessions with customers.

Nice to Have

• Experience in Foodservice marketing.
• Familiarity with digital marketing tools, CRM platforms, and marketing automation systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in brand marketing, product innovation, or multi-channel marketing.

Benefits & Perks

• Coverage for employees and their eligible dependents through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future.
• Participation in events, resources, and learning opportunities that promote physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being.
• Variety of benefits and wellbeing programs including Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments, Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training, Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs, 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability.