Who We Are

Since 1955, we have been on a mission To Passionately Feed Millions Daily with High Quality Food People Enjoy!  We are a third-generation family-owned and professionally managed organization with a commitment to strategic growth. We continue to be successful because of talented people, just like you, who choose to join our family and call E.A. Sween home. We pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming, respectful, and rewarding culture where employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work each and every day.  At E.A. Sween, our team members are seen, heard, and appreciated not just for what they do, but for who they are. We hope you’ll join us!

What We’re Seeking

We are seeking a highly strategic and results-driven Senior Brand and Innovation Manager. This role is responsible for driving brand growth through the development and execution of marketing strategies, overseeing brand equity management, and leading innovation initiatives that strengthen our portfolio and bring breakthrough products to market. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with strong commercial acumen, consumer insight expertise, and a proven track record in successfully managing established brands while launching new products in dynamic, competitive markets.

 Compensation: The target salary range for this position is $125,000-$140,000 annually, consistent with our internal compensation framework. This position is classified as Grade 17, with a full pay range of $112,800.16to$180,457.25.  This role is eligible for an incentive bonus up to 15% of annual salary, prorated based on state date.  Final pay is determined by experience, skills, internal equity, and available budget. 

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Brand Strategy & Management

• Own brand strategy, positioning and narrative
• Lead the development and execution of annual brand plans, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives.
• Manage brand positioning, messaging, and communication strategies across all consumer touchpoints.
• Own brand performance metrics (market share, equity scores, penetration, awareness, and consumer loyalty) and adjust strategies as needed.
• Translate strategy into execution across channels, in concert with sales and category management teams
• Act as the brand guardian to ensure consistency and integrity across packaging, communication, and experiences.

Innovation & Portfolio Development

• Identify growth opportunities through consumer insights, category trends, and competitive intelligence.
• Lead end-to-end innovation processes, from idea generation and concept development to commercialization and launch.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and supply chain to bring new product concepts to life.
• Build and manage a pipeline of short- and long-term innovation initiatives that align with consumer needs and business priorities.
• Lead cross-functional innovation teams and stage-gate processes to deliver new products on time and on budget.

Consumer & Market Insights

• Translate consumer, shopper, and market insights into actionable strategies for brand growth and product development.
• Conduct and oversee qualitative and quantitative research to identify unmet needs and validate innovation concepts.
• Continuously track industry trends, competitive activity, and emerging categories to inform brand and innovation roadmaps.

Commercial & Financial Accountability

• Own brand P&L, helping to influence revenue, volume, and profitability targets.
• Manage budgets for marketing and innovation projects, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Partner with finance to forecast brand performance, assess ROI, and optimize pricing and promotional strategies.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide thought leadership, coaching and guidance to one direct report (Assistant Marketing Manager) and cross-functional team members.
• Foster strong partnerships with creative, media, and research agencies to deliver best-in-class campaigns and product launches.
• Act as a key representative of the brand team within the broader organization, influencing senior leadership and driving strategic alignment.

What You’ll Need (Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in brand management, innovation, or marketing within the CPG industry.
• Proven track record of managing established brands and successfully launching new products.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen, IRI) and consumer insights tools.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and inspire teams.
• Cross-cultural competence; must have effective and respectful interactions with people from any culture or place of origin
• Entrepreneurial mindset with creativity, agility, and passion for driving growth in fast-paced environments.
• Experience in managing direct reports to mentor, guide and elevate professional development.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Generally, an office/desk environment continuously; using a computer and phone
• Hybrid schedule: 3 days in office, 2 days working from home.
• Must be able to work additional hours as needed, with includes some nights and weekends as our company operates 24/7.
• Must be able to work on multiple projects without constant direct supervision and be able to meet deadlines, confidential information and interruptions in the work process.
• Must be able to work additional hours as needed.

How You’ll Find Success at EAS

• Value People Most of All: Show respect & care, embrace diversity, and empower others.
• Commit to Safety Everyday: See something say something do something, practice safe behavior, and celebrate safety success.
• Invest in Our Company to Thrive: Share ideas to improve, learn & grow, and embrace change.
• Think Before Doing And Act Decisively: Make thoughtful decisions, work together to find solutions, and do what’s right.
• Welcome Constructive Straight Talk: Be honest and respectful even when difficult, be open to ideas and feedback, and ask questions to understand.
• Serve Up Exceptional Experiences: Provide value to customers, take pride in your work, and help others to be successful.
• Enjoy What You Do!: Have a positive attitude, Live the Spirit of E.A. Sween, and celebrate success.

E.A. Sween is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and well-being of our team members. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match – fully vested after 2 years
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program (Boss Bucks)