Unilever Looking for Chief Marketing Officer, Ben & Jerry’s at South Burlington, VT Full Time

About Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc., started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA, founded by childhood friends and dedicated activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. In 2000 Ben & Jerry’s became a wholly owned autonomous subsidiary of Unilever with a unique governance structure that provides for an independent Board of Directors vested with primary responsibility for advancing Ben & Jerry’s social mission and ensuring the essential integrity of the brand.

Ben & Jerry’s is one of Unilever’s most valuable and iconic brands, with annual turnover exceeding €1 Billion, and with high ambitions to double the business, and expand its impact throughout the world. Central to the mission of Ben & Jerry’s is the belief that all three parts of its mission must thrive equally. This translates into a high-paced growth environment without compromising our grassroots and activist spirit. That is how we remain a true purpose-led organization with a connected 3-part mission, which you will find reflected in our KPI’s.

Ben & Jerry’s 3-Part Mission

Social mission: We initiate innovative ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally, and internationally specifically on Climate Justice, Social Justice, Racial Justice, and Economic Justice

Product mission: We make and distribute the finest quality natural ice cream and euphoric concoctions.

Economic mission: We operate our Company for sustainable, Profitable financial growth.

Background & Purpose of the Job

The CMO will lead the Marketing Team in the development of brand communications, social mission campaigns, new product innovation and marketing platforms that create a strong B&J’s business and connection with our fans in every market in which we compete. Responsibilities encompass all aspects of brand development for B&J’s ice cream businesses, retail scooping, digital, PR, event/guerilla marketing, CMI, advertising and activism communication, as well as the staff, budgets and processes that support same. Lead the Marketing Organization in the creation of integrated marketing platforms that can be applied broadly in Global markets to build brand awareness/trial, demonstrate leadership in progressive values and deliver the fun and irreverence that define Ben & Jerry’s. Continue to advance and strengthen Ben & Jerry’s unique and compelling voice to build, relevance, reputation, and esteem among target audiences. Ensure that the brand is strong and consistent in every marketing tactic, and that the Ben & Jerry’s story is communicated with creativity and impact. Lead the creation/production of inspiring design, content, and campaigns that builds the brand and drives consumer engagement.

Work with the digital communications team to create a best-in-class social media presence that empowers the marketing team globally to spread the Ben & Jerry’s brand virally. Develop innovative campaigns that increase fans and followers and turn them into Core Consumers. Build and leverage connections to ensure that key target/influencers know and love the company. Leverage these relationships to broaden Ben & Jerry’s reach and impact to ensure extended value/values creation in the marketplace.

Working with the Product Innovation Team, R&D, CMI and Values Led Sourcing lead the organization in the development of exciting new product and platform offerings that build on brand equity, inspire our fans, and fulfill marketing and financial objectives and leverage synergies across businesses (packaged and retail).

Direct the Global Marketing Teams and manage resources to obtain maximum benefit through organizational training and development and full utilization of the Performance Development Planning process. Develop and maintain efficient systems, processes and communication/reporting methods for project management, budgets, and marketing programs. Lead and develop brand management resources in the reporting and analysis of syndicated data and competitive intelligence to support business insights and marketing program/product development. Hire, develop and supervise all staff in the marketing organization driving performance and excellence across the business. Direct the Integrated Marketing Team in the creation of effective and compelling integrated initiatives that support and extend brand equity, meet stated marketing and financial objectives, and leverage the company’s unique core competencies in these areas.

Work closely with Ben & Jerry’s CEO to drive the globalization of the Ben & Jerry’s brand. Report as needed on business plans, projects, and results to support effective communication and coordination. Work closely with Unilever’s Ice Cream Organization in the development of global marketing programs that support quality execution, leverage in-market learning and meet business objectives. Work closely with the Sales organization in the development of marketing programs that support quality execution, key customer opportunities, and hit key sales objectives.

Who You Are & What You’ll Do

• Serve as brand steward and integral member of the leadership team providing clear brand vision and strategy.
• Lead and mentor a growing team of marketers, prioritizing activities that support the company’s strategic goals while fostering a culture of inspiration, growth, and empowerment.
• Lead the development and strategy for global marketing plans including media, messaging strategy, promotions, social mission communications and activism.
• Champion digital acceleration and innovation including paid & earned opportunities across emerging digital channels.
• Source, develop and manage external marketing agencies, working collaboratively to deliver compelling results.
• Work closely with the Finance Director to set targets, goals, and budgets for your team.
• Maintain external relationships with production and creative agencies, media, social media platforms, content studios, and brand partners.
• Proactively cultivate an inclusive environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities love working together.
• Lead and inspire big, creative thinking that drives differentiation and brand love, and cascades into impactful business results.
• Oversee all creative, communications, and content teams to develop and maintain, messaging, creative, communications, experiences, partnerships, and content.
• Staff includes Brand Management, Innovation, Integrated Marketing, PR, Design, Insights, Consumer Services, Digital, & Scoop Shop Marketing.
• Current number of markets – 35

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• Masters degree in Business, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7-10 years of consumer products marketing experience as well as exposure to the unique requirements of a more entrepreneurial consumer products businesses.
• Communication and leadership skills, with proven success in traditional and innovative campaigns across the broad spectrum of today’s marketing channels.
• Thorough knowledge of marketing principles, brand, product and service management, sales, and business development; along with a demonstrated track record of success and performance.
• Ability to understand changing market dynamics, translating them into actionable strategies to achieve company objectives.
• Advanced experience working with a variety of modern marketing, digital platforms, and communications functions including branding and messaging to different target audiences.
• Experience with trade channels, marketing resources (suppliers) and marketing best practices is a necessity.
• Prior consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience using a variety of marketing tactics to build brand love and drive sales is desired.
• Must exhibit a personal commitment to the Company’s social mission and marketing’s vital role in delivering all three elements of Ben & Jerry’s 3-part mission statement and progressive values.
• Strong analytical, project management skills.
• Ability to drive innovation across the business from products to how we show up for our fans.
• The CMO will be expected to lead in a team-focused environment that is fun, collaborative, values-driven and results-oriented. An inclusive leadership style is essential.
• Skilled at budget management with a focus on budget allocation and optimization and the ability to build business cases for annual plans and strategic initiatives.
• Experience with franchise systems, franchise marketing, and franchisees is a plus.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills along with the ability to professionally communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative work relationships with diverse individuals, internally and externally through direct and positive communications.
• Excellent leadership skills including the ability to build teams, motivate, guide, develop & mentor.
• Strong facilitation skills and managing teams through creating trust, psychological safety, and effective delegation & empowerment.

What We Can Offer You

• Hybrid workplace
• Dog friendly office environment
• Volunteer days off
• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision benefits.
• Generous vacation/holiday pay
• 401(k) Retirement
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Learning and development programs
• Discount programs
• Access to our gym at headquarters and the local area
• 3 Free pints a day!

Work Environment

• Hybrid Office environment, some repetitive motion required.
• Travel required approximately 30% of the time.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.

The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected to perform.

Ben & Jerry’s is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. 

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Pay: The pay range for this position is $200,600 to $300,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents

Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.