Job Specifications
Description
The Central Life Sciences (CLS) business unit of Central Garden & Pet is dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and the protection of companion animals, economic animals, plants, stored grains and the environment. Our Grain & Specialty vertical is seeking a Marketing Manager to oversee our Diacon and Centynal brands of grain protectant products. The successful candidate is a driven and strategic leader who is energized by leading and executing marketing plans for our brand portfolio. This role is highly cross-functional and visible, requiring a balance of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and hands-on execution to deliver growth, profitability, and market leadership.
This role is based out of our Schaumburg, IL office where we work a hybrid work schedule (3 days/week in office) to balance in-office time with work from home time! Please visit our websites at www.central.com, www.centrallifesciences.com and www.bugfreegrains.com for additional company information.
Key Responsibilities
Brand & Business Leadership: Develop and execute business objectives and marketing plans for the assigned brand portfolio, aligning with corporate goals from product concept through commercialization. Ensure timely delivery of marketing initiatives that drive brand growth, financial performance, and market share.
P&L & Financial Management: Manage brand P&L, including establishing pricing strategies, identifying margin improvement opportunities, and monitoring marketing spend. Provide regular reports and insights to the Leadership Team to support timely, data-driven decisions.
Market & Competitive Insights: Conduct competitive, adjacent markets, and new market research to drive strategic decisions. Leverage internal and external market research tools which may include AI, Salesforce, syndicated data, etc., and BOBJ for reporting, data maintenance, and analysis.
Agency & Partner Management: Lead advertising and marketing agency partners to ensure seamless execution of brand strategies, campaigns, and annual marketing plans with accountability for results.
Sales Enablement: Equip the sales force with impactful tools, including training presentations, marketing collateral, new product launch materials, and customer programs to drive demand and strengthen distributor relationships.
Brand Advocacy: Serve as the “Brand Champion,” representing the portfolio at industry events, consumer and trade shows, customer meetings, and forums to enhance visibility and credibility.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead multi-functional teams to drive project execution, including championing and managing successful new product launches. Ensure internal alignment and resource optimization across departments.
Operational Partnership: Collaborate with Sales Operations to improve forecast accuracy, ensure product availability, minimize back orders, and manage supply chain efficiency (SMOG).
Salesforce Email Campaigns: Manage, execute, and track performance of targeted email marketing campaigns.
Qualifications
Experience managing a P&L and understanding ways to improve business profitability
Experience in product launch and market development
Proficiency with Salesforce/CRM, Business Objects (BOBJ), and MS Office Suite. Familiarity with the use of syndicated e-Commerce data and sales analytics tools
Exceptional project management skills and experience leading cross-functional teams
Must be creative and possess excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills
Proficient in analyzing/leveraging Sales and Financial data and persuasively presenting findings
Experience presenting to management and sales organizations
Self-motivator able to deliver exemplary work with minimal oversight
Minimum Experience & Education
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; MBA a plus
5–7 years of brand management, marketing, or related experience with proven results in driving growth and profitability in a B2B marketing organization; experience marketing regulated products a strong plus
Work Environment
This position is based in a quiet, professional (but not stuffy!), corporate office environment. We wear jeans on Fridays and host celebratory activities throughout the year! Our office is located within the Schaumburg Corporate Center, which offers many amenities including an on-site fitness center, convenience center, deli-style restaurant, dry cleaners, hair salon, and covered parking.
Occasional business trips as necessary, up to 20%.
POSITION INFORMATION
This position pays $100,000 - $120,000 per year depending on experience and geographic location. This position is also eligible for a management incentive bonus based on individual and company performance.
Benefits Package & Employee Programs
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Free Life and Disability Insurance
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
Paid
About the Company
Central Garden & Pet understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. Our innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger.
Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands, including Amdro(r), Aqueon(r), Cadet(r), Farnam(r), Ferry-Morse(r), Four Paws(r), Kaytee(r), K&H(r), Nylabone(r) and Pennington(r), strong manufacturing and distributio...
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