Brand & Innovation Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Icelandic Provisions is an early-stage growth company that provides essential nutrition rooted in the Nordic Food Philosophy.The flagship product, dairy Skyr, is the only authentic Icelandic Skyr brand in the United States that uses heirloom Skyr cultures and the original recipe that is beloved across Iceland.

The Nordic way of life is not only deeply rooted in the quality of the Icelandic Provisions’ products but runs deep in the organizational culture through the WÁOO (pronounced WOW!) values.When we are attracting talent to join our growing organization, a natural question we ask is whether the candidate brings the “wáoo” factor?We describe is as: Welcoming, Ámbitious, Optimistic, and On with the butter!

With a strong consumer and business base to build on, we are looking for product-obsessed, passionate individuals who are energized about rapid growth and achievement and want to be a part of the happy, healthy cultural movement that we are leading.We believe in putting best-in-class products in the market and take pride in what we are building, “making everything count” along the way.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Icelandic Provisions is looking for a strategic, motivated and passionate brand-oriented Swiss army knife to help further grow our business through new formats and innovation platforms, bringing key projects to life from ideation through execution.This person would also double as the voice of the consumer for the brand, leading all key research activities for both base business and innovation efforts.

We are a startup so it’s essential that this individual is comfortable with working in a dynamic, ever-changing work environment, and is highly collaborative in nature, as comfortable working in a silo as in highly cross-functional workstreams that require EQ and partnership with peers/organizational leaders.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as the brand and innovation lead, taking key strategic initiatives/projects from consumer insights to positioning through to commercialization and in market communications in collaboration with the product development department and broader cross functional team. This person will be key to driving material growth to the business in the coming years and brining a range of exciting new IP items to shelf.

Combine strategic/creative thinking & practical planning, and an ability to orchestrate and drive a cross functional team, manage agency partners, etc. to bring new items/platforms, as well as key brand renovations, to market and grow IP’s core business.

Lead development of new item/platform strategy, positioning and POD to ensure IP is successful at market

Manage ongoing cross-functional workstream to hit key project and commercial milestones

Partner with agency partners (Design, Media Planning, etc.) and Comms team to ensure projects come to life grounded in the right strategic thinking and with the right level/types of marketing support

Develop and lead Brand & Innovation research and consumer insights workstreams, inclusive of focus groups, quant/qual studies, etc. with the support of organizational leaders and external partners (as needed)

Support Sr Manager, Brand Strategy & Business Planning in communicating consumer insights and marketing support plans as part of sales collaboration

Own and manage Marketing & Innovation budgets

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidate must have strong understanding and experience in brand/CPG marketing and communications, as well as consumer insights, and a burning passion to breathe life into new projects.

Experience in managing cross-functional and/or interdisciplinary projects with multiple, disparate stakeholders

Proven track record of uncovering and acting upon consumer insights through different research methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative analyses

Strategy oriented with strong experience in crafting/ideating positioning statements, developing product/brand point of differences, etc. to drive success in market

Success in building marketing/comms strategies and implementing programs that drive awareness and trial

Has proven ability to develop creative, out-of-the-box ways to bring brands to life across the media and cultural landscape

Experience in managing agency/vendor partners ranging from packaging design to media planning

Strong organizational skills and comfort with basic financial forecasting to manage monthly/annual budgets

High comfort level in leading with soft power in a highly collaborative and cross functional environment

Strong ability to manage down and upstream – able to both get into the weeds with projects and ensure the fine details and workstreams are being completed, as well as remain grounded in the macro strategy and advise leadership of key obstacles/challenges

Can lead existing external partner relationships as well as forge new ones.

Has a strong sense of entrepreneurialism and a proven ability to lead collaborative workstreams.

Strong copywriting skills

Strong communication stills

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant marketing and strategy experience, ideally at a marketing/advertising agency with significant CPG client experience and/or a food/CPG company
• Has passion for building new products/platforms and is able to manage in ambiguity, as well as quickly pivot as needed
• Has passion for the natural foods industry and health + wellness.
• Approaches work with high integrity, strong IQ & EQ and accountability.
• A healthy fascination with Iceland is a plus.

YOU’RE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE IF...

• You are passionate about the brand and food landscape
• You are a “Swiss Army Knife” of talents and are comfortable with the often fluid, changing environment of a startup.
• You ask lots of questions, actively seek the opinions of others and love working collaboratively.
• The unknown, the ill-defined or the uncharted does not phase you.
• You are looking for an incredibly collaborative work environment without a lot of hierarchy, you like empowerment and have a “roll up your sleeves” mentality.
• You are Welcoming, Ambitious and Optimistic.
• You are results oriented and have an “on with the butter” approach to your work.

WHAT ICELANDIC PROVISIONS OFFER:

• Competitive salary in the range of $120,000 - $140,000, with pay being commensurate with skills and experience
• Competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance and 401k matching
• Exciting work environment in a small team and a great deal of autonomy
• Flexibility to work remotely or in our New York City offices
• Flexible paid time off allowing to manage your time as it works for you

Delicious Skyr available (for free) in the office