Brand Manager - Pasta Sauce

Brand Manager - Pasta SauceLarkspur, California, United StatesSince 1935, we've been on a mission to bring a little extra happiness to everyday life and inspire connections over food. We select the finest ingredients the world has to offer, craft premium products made with love, and never settle for shortcuts. We believe that when we share our food, we share a part of ourselves and that's the only way we'd put our name on it.Today, our small family company has grown into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces under the leadership of CEO Jeff Mezzetta, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. With an 80-year legacy behind us and a bright future ahead, we're seeking passionate, driven candidates to help us bring our cherished family traditions to a new generation.Mezzetta is seeking a high-impact Brand Manager to lead the Pasta Sauce category, a strategically important growth business for the company in a highly competitive market. This is an opportunity to help shape the next phase of growth for a brand with real potential and a clear opportunity to grow our position in the market. This position is based in the Mezzetta Larkspur office just north of San Francisco.This position owns the direction of the business, setting priorities that accelerate growth and strengthen the brand's position in category. This Brand Manager will define where to compete, how to win, and what it will take to stand out, then drive action across the organization to deliver against those priorities.The scope spans the full business, from sharpening brand positioning and driving demand to expanding distribution and building a disciplined innovation pipeline. It requires a strategic, creative, and competitive leader who can move with speed, make sound decisions, and keep the organization focused on the growth drivers that matter most.Success in this role comes from building momentum, increasing household penetration, and establishing the brand as a stronger and more relevant player in the category.ResponsibilitiesBusiness Ownership & PerformanceOwn overall business performance for the Pasta Sauce portfolio, including revenue growth, share, and contributionIdentify and act on the most critical growth levers to accelerate velocity, trial, and repeatTranslate performance data into clear actions that drive measurable improvementStrategy & PositioningDefine and refine brand positioning to create clear differentiation in a crowded categoryEstablish a focused strategy for where to play and how to winTranslate strategy into clear priorities that guide the organizationMarketing & Demand GenerationLead development of integrated marketing programs that build awareness, drive trial, and increase repeatPartner with Digital and Creative teams to deliver compelling, high-impact campaignsEnsure marketing efforts are grounded in consumer insight and deliver measurable resultsRetail & Channel ExpansionPartner closely with Sales to expand distribution and strengthen in-market presence across key retailersSupport sell-in with strong, insight-driven stories that demonstrate category and brand opportunityIdentify opportunities to improve competitiveness through pricing, assortment, and channel strategyInnovation & Portfolio DevelopmentLead the innovation agenda for Pasta Sauce, identifying and prioritizing opportunities grounded in consumer and market insightBuild and manage a pipeline of products that drive both growth and differentiationPartner with Innovation and R&D to bring new products to market successfullyCross-Functional LeadershipOperate at the center of the business, aligning Sales, Insights, Finance, Supply Chain, and R&D around clear prioritiesDrive clarity, accountability, and momentum across cross-functional teamsContribute to key company processes including AOP, S&OP, and Monthly Business ReviewsQualificationsBachelor's degree required, preferably in Business, Marketing, or a related fieldMBA preferred58+ years of brand management experience in CPGExperience building or scaling a brand or category strongly preferredStrong strategic thinking and ability to translate ideas into actionDemonstrated ability to operate in competitive, fast-moving environmentsStrong cross-functional leadership and communication skillsPay Range$150,000 - $160,000 USDOur Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace: At Mezzetta, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where you know you belong. Part of that commitment includes a zero-tolerance policy and being an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Mezzetta are solely based on merit, qualifications, abilities and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, family or parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. All of us share in the responsibility of fulfilling this commitment and creating a culture where our team can thrive.