Who We Are

At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.  

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.  

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPop’ mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day. 

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!” 

Job Summary

The Brand Manager will use a wealth of consumer, category and competitive insights, and strong analysis to position JonnyPops products and create a sustained competitive advantage. The Brand Manager is responsible for brand and SKU health, helping to build JonnyPops into a national, household name.

The Brand Manager will provide data and analytical support across all JonnyPops segments and be responsible for the brand strategy management for at least one key segment (e.g., Shelf-Stable or other). This role requires a self-motivated person who can operate at the intersection of data-driven consumer insights, portfolio management, and integrated marketing communications. This role must translate data insights into action, supporting development of marketing plans to measurably increase market share, sales, and velocities.  

The position requires a high-level of organization, growth mindset, deep understanding of consumer insights, and ability to influence and motivate others through ambiguous situations. The ideal candidate is strong at building relationships, hungry to take on new challenges, and balances creative vision and analytical thinking. As a key part of JonnyPops’ Marketing team, the Brand Manager will play an important role in building the brand and the next chapter in JonnyPops’ history.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Analytics and Reporting : Lead and maintain a deep understanding of all JonnyPops segments/categories, competitive landscape, and consumer dynamic through data analysis and consumer learning agendas (in partnership with Category Analyst).
• Be an expert in Retailer data sets, SPINS, Numerator, and first-party research studies. Teaching Marketing team members key skills to self-serve.
• Monitor, analyze, and produce regular Marketing dashboard of performance KPIs and provide actionable insights from media and consumer consumption reporting, including assessments of consumer trends, competitive activity, and the evolving business landscape (in partnership with Category Analyst). Partner with marketing team to identify opportunities to improve marketing effectiveness.
• Develop, monitor, and report on brand health metrics and brand positioning in the market.
• Maintain consumer learning agenda on research projects to unlock actionable insights (consumer students, in-store intercepts, packaging A/B tests, use of Numerator credits, first-party research study, panel, etc.)
• Brand Management : Be the brand champion, elevating brand consistency and brand health, bringing a customer-first mindset to every point in the work. 
• Monitor segment products against performance KPIs and flag opportunities. Lead segment portfolio management (with heavy leadership & RD involvement) and simplification initiatives, ensuring portfolio is both productive and represents premium brand positioning.
• Own master ‘sales and marketing stories’ and why to buy JonnyPops within segment and markets. Collaboration with Customer Marketing and Sales teams in the customer selling process to own sales skeletons, new product briefs, etc. 
• Manage specific brand-overarching projects with creative agency, contractors, and/or internal creatives (e.g., new lifestyle video following brand refresh).
• Develop impact-driving marketing plans for select Key Retailers and national campaigns. 
• Develop differentiated, breakthrough marketing plans that build brand awareness and bolster product velocities, in collaboration with all internal marketing leads. 
• Product Commercialization: Support commercialization projects, including product renovation, product extension, and commercializing new innovation including size of prize of new ideas: 
• Lead cross-functional team members in the pipeline development, commercialization of new products, product changes, and/or quality improvements to drive profitable growth
• Effectively influence and facilitate alignment among key cross-functional and leadership stakeholders (C-Suite, R&D, NPD, Sourcing) to advance commercialization projects and initiatives on time. 
• Track product changes and communicate to cross-functional teams when impacted. 
• Execute market validation and consumer acceptance of products. Pursue continuous enhancement of product quality based on consumer insights that strengthens our brand equity and extends the gap vs. key competitors.
• Leverage strong understanding of consumer, competitor, and customer dynamics to develop Marketing stories, positioning to win, and product launch materials. 
• Values-Aligned Leadership: Lead (with or without direct reports) with a growth mindset, fueling team and financial growth. 
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to motivate and lead teams through ambiguity and obstacles to successfully deliver projects. 
• Execute monthly budgeting, forecasting, and oversee performance reporting for customer P&Ls. 
• Uncover margin-accretive opportunities and drive to completion.
• Support across Marketing initiatives and goals as we grow and scale.
• Make an impact every day with values-aligned actions. 

Minimum Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in a Brand Marketing position is required, with a preference to experience in the food and beverage consumer packaged goods (CPG) or natural food industries. 
• A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field is required, and a MBA degree is preferred. Years of experience in lieu of Master’s degree highly considered. 
• Experience in high-growth, entrepreneurial environment. 
• Experience building holistic customer plans including category growth strategies, sell stories, promotion, merchandising, and shopper/omnichannel marketing. 
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional innovation and commercialization projects. 
• In-person in Plymouth office location, with ability to travel to Elk River weekly as needed.
• Willingness to travel up to ~25% of time.

Candidate Skillset:

• Ability to lead with confidence, gain consensus and influence amongst cross-functional peers, and facilitate critical thinking and problem-solving. 
• Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement. 
• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness – JonnyPops is a kindness-based company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

Medical/Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA

FSA

DCFSA

Life & AD&D Insurance

Short & Long Term Disability

FTO/PTO

EAP Programs

Paid Holidays

Employee Referral Program

Sick & Safe Leave

401k

Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form on bonuses and/or commissions.