Brand Manager

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.

Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.

Role Description

The Brand Manager will lead product marketing and brand-building programs for the Cookies and Bars categories. This individual will be responsible for growing brand equity and product performance through breakthrough marketing, commercialization, and cross-functional leadership.

This role will craft insight-led brand strategies, lead commercialization and launch plans of new products, analyze business and category performance to identify growth opportunities, and support brand campaign initiatives. It will report to the Senior Brand Manager for Cookies & Bars and will partner closely with Innovation, Sales, Integrated Marketing, Finance, and Operations to deliver results.

Role Expectations

Define strategies for Simple Mills to win in the Cookies and Bars categories by:

• Maintaining a deep understanding of category, competitive, and consumer dynamics
• Using syndicated data and consumer insights to analyze in-market performance, inform strategy, diagnose performance, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Developing and implementing consumer-driven brand strategies that grow brand health and accelerate category performance.

Lead Cookies and Bars go-to-market strategies, communications, and marketing plans by:

• Leading go-to-market planning for innovation and renovation efforts, including packaging graphics, messaging hierarchy, and retailer launch support.
• Collaborating with Innovation and R&D teams to guide commercialization of new products and packaging formats; lead cross-functional workstreams to deliver launches on time and in full.
• Leading development of packaging graphics and claims for all SKUs within the category.

Manage Simple Mills Cookies and Bars businesses, ensuring product lines deliver against revenue targets by:

• Optimizing product portfolio and fundamentals across the 4Ps to accelerate velocity growth
• Building strong account-specific plans, assessing performance, and optimizing activities based on learnings, opportunities, and threats
• Crafting compelling sell stories and partnering with Sales on customer presentations to win new distribution

Guide commercialization projects for Cookies and Bars including product renovation and new pack sizes/structures by:

• Building strong cross-functional relationships to motivate and lead teams through ambiguity and obstacles to successfully deliver projects on time & in full

Provide informal mentorship and project leadership for junior teammates and cross-functional partners.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in brand marketing, with preference for CPG experience in food or natural products.
• Track record of leading brand campaigns and delivering business results.
• Strong analytical capability and ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience in packaging development, new product launches, and commercialization processes.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.  Appreciation for ambiguity.  Ability to create structure and organization from scratch, creatively solve problems with incomplete information, and roll up sleeves
• Passion for building brands that make better food more accessible.

• A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive. 

Working at Simple Mills

At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand—we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Why Join Us?

• Be a Change-Maker
  Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.

• Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
  Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.

• A Workplace Where You Belong
  We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.

• A Culture of Integrity and Impact
  We don’t just talk about doing good—we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.

• Grow with People-First Leadership
  Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success
• Continuous Learning & Development
  Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.

At Simple Mills, you’ll have the chance to make an impact while working in a collaborative and inspiring environment. If you’re ready to shape the future of food, let’s talk.

Benefits

We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life. 

• Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $140,000 to $150,000
• Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, calculated at the end of the fiscal year.

• Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support your long-term financial security. 

• Work-Life Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally with unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays (where afternoons are yours to recharge), and a three-week sabbatical after five years of service—because we believe your best work happens when you have the time to rest and refocus.

• Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and exclusive product perks to enhance your well-being—because your health and happiness matter. 

We’re committed to taking care of our people—so you can focus on making an impact. 

Work Model at Simple Mills

Our work model is role-dependent, and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.

• This position will be hybrid: a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Chicago, IL office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) with sufficient internet access to support video conferencing. Safety protocols in accordance with CDC recommendations are followed.

At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].