Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.
Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.
Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.
Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.
Role Description
The Senior Associate Brand Manager will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to grow the Simple Mills brand and drive product sales. This role will lead critical initiatives to expand distribution, accelerate velocities, and grow market share including performance analyses, sell stories, commercialization projects, packaging updates, and marketing activities. This role will report to a Director of Brand Management.
Responsibilities will include:
- Maintain a deep understanding of product performance in market, analyzing core drivers, and summarizing clearly and succinctly to facilitate efficient organizational comprehension and alignment.
- Actively seek and seize growth opportunities by translating consumption data, consumer insights/feedback, competitive intel, market research, and industry/category trends into actions to accelerate performance.
- Lead analyses to identify portfolio optimization initiatives and inform prioritization. Lead cross-functional teams to execute commercialization projects including product line extensions, product renovation, packaging design refreshes, and new pack sizes/formats.
- Work closely with Sales, Finance, and Operations partners on planning processes, contributing critical performance insights to sharpen forecasts and inform actions.
- Develop marketing plans to support key product lines and ensure execution achieves strategic objectives and delivers efficient results, by:
- Collaborating with internal and external partners to create and implement marketing plans that translate to product awareness, purchase consideration, and trial.
- Working closely with the Sales team to create compelling selling materials and build strong plans to secure incremental distribution and drive velocities at key retailers.
- Manage agencies and vendors to execute marketing tactics, evaluate results, and drive continuous optimization.
- Monitoring all product communications to ensure accuracy of information and positioning.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required in marketing or related field; master’s degree/MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in CPG Brand Management with at least 1.5 years of experience managing base business on the Brand Management team
- Intrinsic leaderships skills with effective partnership and communication techniques to influence team member and stakeholders to gain alignment and drive results.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with experience analyzing and interpreting syndicated consumption and consumer panel data to derive actionable insights and strategic implications.
- Proactive, self-starter with a demonstrated history of managing cross-functional teams and multiple complex projects simultaneously, including product commercialization.
- Experience developing brand marketing strategies and plans and managing external agencies/vendors to flawlessly execute.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to clearly and succinctly summarize information, make compelling recommendations, and facilitate efficient alignment and decision making.
- Adaptability, coupled with a resilience to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment, navigating organizational pivots with a calm demeanor.
- Entrepreneurial spirit and roll-up-the-sleeves mentality, including willingness to wear multiple hats, find scrappy solutions, and act with a healthy sense of urgency.
- High level of curiosity about the marketplace, competitors, consumers, and technologies
- A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive.
Benefits
Working at Simple Mills
At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand—we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.
Why Join Us?
- Be a Change-Maker
- Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.
- Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
- Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.
- A Workplace Where You Belong
- We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.
- A Culture of Integrity and Impact
- We don’t just talk about doing good—we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.
- Grow with People-First Leadership
- Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success
- Continuous Learning & Development
- Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.
At Simple Mills, you’ll have the chance to make an impact while working in a collaborative and inspiring environment. If you’re ready to shape the future of food, let’s talk.
Benefits
We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life.
- Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $125,000 to $135,000
- Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, calculated at the end of the fiscal year.
- Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support your long-term financial security.
- Work-Life Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally with unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays (where afternoons are yours to recharge), and a three-week sabbatical after five years of service—because we believe your best work happens when you have the time to rest and refocus.
- Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and exclusive product perks to enhance your well-being—because your health and happiness matter.
We’re committed to taking care of our people—so you can focus on making an impact.
Work Model at Simple Mills
Our work model is role-dependent, and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.
- This position will be hybrid: a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Chicago, IL office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) with sufficient internet access to support video conferencing. Safety protocols in accordance with CDC recommendations are followed.
At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI
Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@simplemills.com.
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