Brand Manager I
At PBI-Gordon Companies, and our subsidiaries PBI-Gordon Corporation, Pegasus Laboratories, and PetAg, Inc, our priority is people, pets, and the places they go. As employee owners, we support each other in building our careers as well as our companies. Our foundation is rooted in integrity, innovation, partnership, and pride. Come grow with us!
Location: Hampshire, IL or Shawnee, KS
Department: Marketing
Reports To: Sr. Brand Manager
Travel: Less than 25% / year
Position Summary
Lead PetAg’s brand communications development and portfolio management to strengthen brand positioning and drive growth. Own brand strategy support across where-to-play decisions, consumer research, innovation/renovation stage-gate leadership, pricing, and SKU prioritization/rationalization, while supporting Sales with customer sell-in tools and monthly business reviews.
Compensation & Benefits
- Employee Ownership (ESOP): Company-funded retirement contribution of approximately 18% of pay, plus 401(k)
- Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus opportunity
- Comprehensive benefits package: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, FSA, and Pet Insurance
- Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and parental leave
- Fitness and tuition reimbursement programs
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Drive development of brand communications (positioning, identity, messaging, storytelling briefs) in partnership with the Brand Director to support consumer recruitment and brand growth.
- Support situation assessments, where-to-play choices, and annual brand strategy development and planning by contributing analysis, recommendations, and cross-functional coordination aligned with marketing leadership direction.
- Serve as day-to-day Brand Manager for assigned PetAg categories (e.g., Supplements, Nutrition, Grooming), leading core business activities (4Ps/5Cs) while ensuring strategies and decisions align with marketing priorities.
- Lead the marketing workstream for renovation projects through the Stage-Gate process, ensuring consumer and brand fit while presenting options, risks, and recommendations; support new product go-to-market launches with cross-functional partners.
- Support management of the domestic and international product portfolio, including SKU rationalization and priority ranking, providing insights and recommendations that drive P&L growth and margin improvement.
- Own monthly business/product performance reporting and develop insights and “so what” implications to inform the Brand Director and guide strategic decision-making.
- Lead or collaborate on consumer research initiatives to strengthen brand strategy, positioning, and project decisions, ensuring findings are translated into recommendations for leadership alignment.
- Partner with Sales to develop customer sell-in stories and tools that drive distribution, velocity, visibility, and promotion in line with brand strategy and leadership guidance.
- Support pricing management by serving as a source of truth for PetAg pricing data and helping develop price pack architecture and SKU-level recommendations for review and approval by marketing leadership.
- Monitor marketing trends, competitor activity, and customer insights to provide ongoing updates and recommendations that keep marketing leadership informed and proactive.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Retail Marketing, Business, or related field.
- 4+ years of experience including pet/animal health CPG (or adjacent), retail/product marketing, financial oversight, and exposure to product P&L management; brand management experience in B2C animal health or human supplements preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent written/verbal communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and execute with minimal guidance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and marketing analytics tools; familiarity with syndicated tools (e.g., Nielsen, SPINS/IRI) a plus/required as applicable.
- Travel is less than 25% / year.
Work Environment & Culture
PBI-Gordon Companies offers a collaborative, employee-owned environment where accountability, partnership, and continuous improvement are valued. Team members are encouraged to contribute ideas, develop professionally, and grow their careers alongside the business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
PBI-Gordon Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Ready to Apply?
If you're energized by building strong brand positioning, translating consumer research into growth-driving decisions, and partnering cross-functionally to bring products to market, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today to join an employee-owned organization that invests in its people while advancing the wellbeing of pets and their families.
The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.
The estimated pay range for this role is $69,437 Min to $104,156 Max per year.
Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus incentive program associated with this specific role.
PBI-Gordon Companies and its subsidiaries are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week or more. Full-time employees will become eligible to participate in benefits on the first of the month following their start date, unless stated otherwise below. (Note: Interns do not qualify for eligibility.)
Medical Insurance
We are committed to helping you and your dependents maintain health and wellness by offering voluntary, competitive medical insurance and prescription drug plan options.
Dental Insurance
Choose from two voluntary dental plans that are designed to help protect you and your dependents’ oral health.
Vision Insurance
Our voluntary vision insurance plan is designed to help protect you and your dependents eye health. Coverage is available for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Employee owners are responsible for 100% of the cost of this plan.
Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
We offer a company-paid $50,000 life insurance policy with AD&D. You also have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and/or your dependent children. The cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age.
Short- and Long-term Disability
Our company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans to provide income replacement in the event you are not able to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability will provide 70% income replacement up to $1,350 per week and long-term disability will provide 60% income replacement up to $5,000 per month.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP Services are company paid to benefit all employee-owners and their families. EAP provides up to six free counseling sessions to help you and your family members manage life stressors, solve personal or relationship concerns, and achieve your goals.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Flexible Spending Plans offer employee-owners the option to set aside pre-tax monies into a medical reimbursement or dependent care account to help pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses or day care costs. The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited.
Pet Insurance
We love our pets! Pet insurance options for your furry friends is offered through the ASPCA. Employee-owners can enroll and pay premiums directly to ASPCA.
Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)
Everyone needs time off to rest and recharge! Paid time off includes Regular PTO, Personal PTO, and specified paid company holidays. *The amount of paid time off (PTO) depends upon the employee's position and years of service.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
We act like we own the company because we do! An ESOP provides employees with an ownership stake in the company. It’s an additional form of compensation directly tied to PBI-Gordon Companies financial success. All regular employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP the first of the month following 30 days of service. PBI-Gordon Companies contributes approximately 18% of total compensation annually with a six-year vesting schedule. Our ESOP is more than a benefit, it is a key part of a culture, and it can provide significant rewards in retirement!
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan to assist employees with this important financial goal. New employee owners are eligible to participate the first of the month following 30 days of employment. We provide a company match of 100% up to 3% deferral with a three-year vesting schedule.
Fitness Reimbursement
We believe regular exercise helps improve overall health and job performance. PBI-Gordon will reimburse up to a maximum of $300 annually for gym/fitness memberships.
William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman Scholarship Fund
Children or grandchildren of employee-owners may apply for a scholarship under the William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman scholarship fund. Applicants are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular/community activities.
Tuition Reimbursement
After one full year of employment, employee-owners are eligible for tuition reimbursement for bachelor’s level coursework related to their current job or any future job offered at PBI-Gordon Companies.
Parental Leave
Company paid parental leave is offered to employee-owners following the birth of a child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or surrogacy. This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable.
If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Please see our CCPA disclosure for more information.
Employment is contingent upon and may not begin until the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen. PBI-Gordon and its subsidiaries participate in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit the E-Verify Website.