Director, Brand Portfolio Initiatives

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 Director of Brand Portfolio Initiatives will lead enterprise-level, cross-category marketing projects that elevate Simple Mills equity and drive growth across all categories. This highly strategic and collaborative role will oversee initiatives including new brand campaigns, brand refresh efforts, price/pack architecture (PPA), and portfolio-level strategic planning. The Director will play a critical leadership role on the Marketing Leadership Team (MLT), helping shape team-wide prioritization, cross-functional alignment, and the brand’s future growth roadmap.

This position reports to the VP of Marketing and will be responsible for building and executing multi-year brand initiatives in partnership with the Category Brand Leads, Sales, Finance, Innovation, and Integrated Marketing.

Role Expectations

• Lead cross-category initiatives such as masterbrand campaigns, brand refresh efforts, portfolio pricing/pack strategy (PPA), and customer-facing narratives that drive long-term brand equity and revenue growth.

• Develop and communicate a clear, insight-driven narrative for brand performance and portfolio-level initiatives to build alignment across internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Spearhead enterprise marketing planning and strategy, shaping portfolio-level frameworks that inform team prioritization, campaign sequencing, and investment allocation.

• Manage external agencies and strategic vendors in the development of portfolio-level marketing assets, ensuring executional excellence and strong ROI.

• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, and Operations to ensure master-brand strategies align with the Long-Range Plan and Annual Operating Plan; provide input into in-year forecast assumptions as they relate to cross-category efforts.

• Lead strategic, creative, and research efforts that strengthen brand equity and improve brand health metrics, in collaboration with cross-functional teams and agency partners.

• Identify and implement cross-functional process improvements that increase executional efficiency and elevate collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Innovation, and Integrated Marketing.

• Support a culture of curiosity, agility, and prioritization within the marketing team by contributing to strategic planning forums, cross-functional working sessions, and connection.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and MBA required
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience required, with at least 5 years of Brand Management or Marketing Strategy roles in Food CPG
• Demonstrated success managing portfolio-level initiatives and driving results through influence in cross-functional environments.
• Ability to lead an inter-agency team to bring breakthrough and cohesive ideas across the marketing funnel.
• Track record of creating and leading brand campaigns and delivering business results.
• Ability to distill and analyze complicated research, data, and macro trends into actionable insights, strategies, and plans.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills with comfort operating at both executive and executional levels.
• High level of curiosity about consumer trends, retail dynamics, and marketing innovation.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to bring structure to ambiguity, solve complex challenges, and inspire teams.
• A deep passion and curiosity for natural food, healthy eating, holistic health.  A desire to positively impact our food industry 

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 $195,000 to $205,000
• 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].