Lead, Brand Activation & Partnerships-Distribution & Expansion

Job Description

As the Lead, Brand Activation & Partnerships for our Distribution & Market Expansion team, you will bring our iconic brands to life through strategic distribution partners and independent operators —priority channels for the Away From Home (AFH) business unit. You will lead and execute strategic channel priorities, develop and co create strategic marketing activations to support core brands & innovation launches, deliver go-to-market plans while building and strengthening key external partnerships to drive growth. This role offers the opportunity to amplify our brand portfolio on a national scale, creating high-impact consumer experiences. You will collaborate with AFH Leadership, Consumer Insights, Sales, Brand Marketing, Operations, R&D, and Finance to ensure a cohesive approach to business growth. You will also engage directly with customers and industry partners to align and promote marketing strategies that drive growth and market expansion.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead a team to drive marketing strategy and brand activations through distribution partners and independent operators, ensuring alignment with AFH business objectives.

• Design and implement impactful marketing activations across in-restaurant experiences, E-commerce, and distribution networks, elevating brand equity and winning market share.

• Seek, Build and manage strategic brand partnerships that drive business growth and expand brand reach in key growth channels.

• Collaborate with brand marketing teams to transform business objectives into effective marketing strategies and execution plans.

• Develop senior-level relationships with key customers and industry partners to champion the marketing agenda and build strategic long term plans.

• Partner with Sales and Culinary teams to identify and close new business opportunities, driving revenue growth, market penetration & share gains.

• Utilize consumer, operator, and chef insights that translates into customer benefits while shaping channel strategies and create compelling customer selling stories.

• Lead strategic initiatives that contribute to P&L growth, ensuring alignment with financial targets and efficient resource allocation.

• Represent Kraft Heinz within key industry events

• Hire, develop and lead a best-in-class marketing team, fostering creativity, accountability, flawless executional excellence with measurable business impact while building culture of a high performing and engaged team.

• Mentor and coach team members, promoting a culture of continuous learning and career development.

• Foster a collaborative, fast-paced “entrepreneurial” team environment that encourages cross-functional partnerships and innovative problem-solving.

• Monitor and analyze campaign performance, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize marketing strategies and maximize ROI.

• Adapt to evolving business needs with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

• Build coalitions and credibility across organizational levels through strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Maintain financial stewardship by effectively managing marketing budgets and resource allocations.

• Stay ahead of industry trends, identifying opportunities to maintain brand relevance and competitive advantage.

People Management Responsibilities

• Team (salaried): 3 directs

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field. An MBA with a marketing focus is preferred.

• 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in brand marketing, product innovation, or multi-channel marketing. Experience in Foodservice marketing is a plus.

• Proven leadership experience with direct reports, demonstrating the ability to inspire, empower, prioritize with focus and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong relationship-building and managing upwards skills with senior executives, influencing decision-making and driving strategic initiatives.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop long-term marketing strategies aligned with business objectives.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners while delivering activations, product launches and all other initiatives with executional excellence.

• Proactive problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset for navigating complex challenges.

• Analytical skills to interpret quantitative data, conduct trend analysis, and develop data-driven marketing strategies.

• Ability to balance creativity with business needs, leveraging consumer insights to inspire innovative marketing campaigns.

• Experience leading strategic initiatives with P&L accountability and financial management.

• Ability to quickly develop a level of organizational agility to navigate both formal and informal channels to achieve business objectives.

• Self-starter mentality with a positive attitude, consistently driving impactful results and championing innovative marketing solutions.  

• Familiarity with digital marketing tools, CRM platforms, and marketing automation systems is a plus.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time for business, including meetings, site visits, and collaboration sessions with customers.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$137,400.00 – $171,700.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.