Associate Marketing Manager, Private Brands
Storck USA, L.P.📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Marketing Manager, Private Brands
🔹 Company: Storck USA, L.P.
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
📌 Essential Job Details
🚀 Job Overview
Storck USA is seeking an analytically minded Associate Marketing Manager to drive the growth of private label chocolate brands with their largest strategic customer. This role combines market research, brand management, and product commercialization responsibilities. You'll own marketing initiatives for two private label chocolate brands and work closely with international colleagues in Berlin to identify growth opportunities in the US market.
ASSUMPTION: The job category is listed as "Marketing" based on the role's responsibilities and title, as the original listing did not specify a category. The job type is assumed to be "Full-time" based on the comprehensive duties and benefits package described.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Market Research & Business Analytics:
- ✅ Analyze opportunities for new chocolate innovation in the US market, collaborating with international colleagues
- ✅ Compile competitive reviews using store checks and IRI/Circana data
- ✅ Turn data into insights and stories to drive growth
- ✅ Enhance monthly reporting to better understand shopper behavior
- ✅ Evaluate competitive landscape and category analysis
- ✅ Partner with Market Research/Insights on research projects
- ✅ Manage shipment and consumption data to drive business performance
Brand Management:
- ✅ Track consumer trends and manage product positioning, branding, and packaging strategies
- ✅ Execute promotional campaigns to increase brand awareness and sales growth
- ✅ Lead packaging re-designs through comprehensive market analysis
- ✅ Communicate brand strategies to the customer
- ✅ Assess and lead strategic changes as needed
Product Commercialization:
- ✅ Manage end-to-end commercialization process for private brand items
- ✅ Own project briefing process for new opportunities
- ✅ Support commercialization of branded products (Werther's, Mamba, etc.)
- ✅ Oversee testing and launch of new products
- ✅ Lead review process of consumer packaging from compliance and marketing perspectives
General Business Management:
- ✅ Maintain knowledge of key customer confection sets
- ✅ Create promotional product calendars for both private label and brand products
- ✅ Support creation of selling presentations for customer meetings
- ✅ Analyze and manage product distribution to optimize sales, profitability, and inventory
- ✅ Serve as the go-to resource for trends related to the Strategic Retail Customer
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Marketing, or related field or equivalent experience
Experience: 3-6 years of experience in FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) marketing
Skills:
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Knowledge of IRI/Circana and/or Nielsen data
- Precise attention to detail
- Proactive and action-oriented approach
- Ability to work independently and cross-functionally
- Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills
- Strong analytical aptitude
- Customer-focused mindset
- Creative idea generation
Preferred: Experience with private label products and/or chocolate confectionery
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000 annually plus bonus eligibility
Benefits:
- 6% employer 401(k) plan contribution
- Health benefits on day 1 including a 100% employer-paid option for medical and dental
- Hybrid flexible work schedule with reduced Friday hours year-round
- 35-45 days PTO based on company policies
- Paid maternity/paternity leave
- Monthly wellness stipend
- Paid Sabbaticals ranging from 5-20 days based on tenure
- Supply of delicious candy
Industry Comparison: This compensation package is competitive for marketing roles of this level in the Chicago area, with particularly strong benefits considering the PTO allowance and fully paid healthcare options.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry Position: Storck USA is a subsidiary of the global confectionery company August Storck KG, known for brands such as Werther's Original and Mamba. The company partners with major retailers to develop private label products.
Company Size: Medium to large established confectionery manufacturer
Company Stage: Established international company with growth focus
ASSUMPTION: Company size and stage are inferred based on Storck being an established international confectionery company with headquarters in Berlin and sufficient resources to support international travel and collaboration. The listing mentions "fastest growing retailer" as their partner, indicating a growth focus.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level
Reporting Structure: Reports to a Team Lead with connection to international marketing colleagues
Team Size/Composition: Works cross-functionally with domestic and international colleagues
Growth Opportunities: Potential for advancement in brand management, product development, or international marketing roles
ASSUMPTION: Career level is determined to be mid-level based on the 3-6 years experience requirement, "Associate" title prefix, and the fact that the position has no supervisory responsibilities but significant ownership of marketing functions. Reporting structure is inferred from mentions of reporting to a "Team Lead" and working with international colleagues.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Monday and Friday work from home; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in office)
Geographic Context: Downtown Chicago, a major business hub with numerous consumer packaged goods companies
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with reduced Friday hours year-round
Regional Considerations: Chicago offers excellent public transportation but can have challenging winter weather. Downtown location provides access to a vibrant business community and networking opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: The regional considerations are based on general knowledge of downtown Chicago as a business location.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process: Initial screening, panel interviews with marketing and cross-functional team members, possible case study or portfolio presentation focusing on analytical and creative marketing skills
Key Assessment Areas: Analytical abilities, communication skills, understanding of FMCG marketing, brand management experience, cross-functional collaboration skills
Application Tips: Highlight experience with data analysis (especially IRI/Circana), brand management experience, product launch successes, and examples of cross-functional collaboration
ATS Keywords: FMCG, private label, brand management, IRI, Circana, Nielsen, product commercialization, market research, packaging design, confectionery, consumer insights, retail marketing
ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard interview processes for marketing positions in consumer packaged goods companies but may vary based on Storck's specific hiring practices.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- IRI/Circana data analytics platforms
- Nielsen data tools
- Retail analytics software
- Project management tools
ASSUMPTION: While Microsoft Office and IRI/Circana are explicitly mentioned, project management tools are commonly used in marketing roles with product commercialization responsibilities and are therefore included as an industry-standard assumption.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values: International collaboration, data-driven decision making, innovation, attention to detail
Work Style: Hybrid work environment balancing independent work and cross-functional collaboration, energetic and proactive approach
Self-Assessment:
- Are you comfortable working independently while maintaining communication with international colleagues?
- Do you thrive in an environment requiring both analytical thinking and creative marketing?
- Are you adaptable and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously?
- Are you comfortable working directly with major retail partners?
ASSUMPTION: Company values are inferred from the emphasis on international collaboration, data analysis, and attention to detail throughout the job description.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing workload across multiple brands and projects
- Managing international collaboration across time zones (Berlin, Germany)
- Navigating the complexities of private label relationships with major retailers
- Adapting to different communication styles between US and international colleagues
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are identified based on the international nature of the role, the relationship with a strategic retail partner, and the breadth of responsibilities outlined in the job description.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
This position differs from typical Associate Marketing Manager roles by combining private label brand ownership with significant analytical responsibilities. Unlike traditional brand management roles that focus primarily on consumer-facing activities, this position requires deeper involvement in retail relationships and product development. Compared to similar roles in other companies, this position offers unique international exposure and direct interaction with major retailers.
ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry structures for marketing roles in consumer goods companies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a packaging redesign project for a private label chocolate brand, from consumer research through design execution and implementation
- Developing a seasonal promotional calendar for private label products based on category trends and retailer needs
- Conducting competitive analysis of the chocolate category to identify innovation opportunities in the US market
- Creating enhanced monthly reporting dashboards that better capture shopper insights and drive strategic decisions
ASSUMPTION: These projects are illustrative examples based directly on the responsibilities listed in the job description.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How would you describe the working relationship between the US marketing team and the international team in Berlin?
- What metrics will be used to evaluate success in this role during the first year?
- What are the current challenges and opportunities for the private label brands I would be managing?
- How does Storck approach innovation for private label products compared to your branded portfolio?
- Can you share an example of a successful product launch or initiative for the strategic retail partner I would be working with?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are suggested based on the role type and should be adapted to the specific interview context.
📌 Disclaimer
⚠️ This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- Resume Customization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with brand management, private label products, and data analytics (IRI/Circana specifically). Incorporate keywords from the job description to optimize for ATS systems.
- Cover Letter Development: Emphasize your experience with cross-functional collaboration, international teams, and retail partnerships. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth through data analysis and marketing innovation.
- Portfolio Preparation: Compile examples of marketing analytics projects, brand management work, and any experience with product commercialization. Be prepared to discuss how you approach data analysis and turn insights into action.
- Research: Familiarize yourself with Storck's brands (Werther's Original, Mamba) and major retail partners in the US. Understanding the chocolate confectionery market and private label trends will demonstrate your proactive approach.
- Network: Connect with current or former Storck employees on LinkedIn to gain insights into the company culture and interview process.