Director, International Marketing (Nerds)

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

The Director, International Marketing Nerds will have the opportunity to substantially influence Ferrara’s growth trajectory and elevation as a global leader.  

Reporting to the VP International Marketing, the Director International Marketing will be charged to develop best-in-class marketing & launch plans, strategy & process for existing and new markets, while liaising with Global and Local teams. 

The role is based in Chicago, Illinois and will require 25-30% travel.

Ways you will make a difference

• Play a critical role in accelerating Nerds global growth, delivering strong creative work that is translating into local relevant insights, building global strategic executional frameworks, launch & sustain playbooks, commercialize innovation secure global partnerships, develop new markets business cases & opportunity sizing. 
• Leads Nerds strategy, portfolio & innovation development and management in-line with 5-year strategic plans across several global markets including motivating cross-functional teams and local markets to deliver launches on time.
• Translate brand growth objectives into an annual plan to drive the right objectives globally.
• Lead adaptation and deployment of creative campaigns; identify and champion global tentpole moments; oversee and deliver development and activation of 360° marketing plans in priority countries, ensuring brand consistency and local relevance.
• Develop global strategic frameworks and toolkits, including launch and sustain playbooks.
• Deep understanding & proper implementation of brand guidelines in the local markets and liaise with brand counterparts to drive global brand platforms, executing global brands with consistency and excellence.
• Lead a cross-functional team to deliver key global innovations on time, ensuring local market alignment and proposing alternatives as needed and in partnership with insights function asses and lead innovation & global consumer research across current and emerging markets.
• Build & deliver the annual marketing plans inclusive of a prioritized mix of marketing activities & investment levels supporting brand launches and continued growth, in partnership with local markets and relevant cross functional teams.
• Own and manage the creative asset vault, leading global key idea development and ensuring proper implementation and support across all markets.
• Develop and deploy the launch commercialization toolkit, media guidelines & social/digital media strategy, ensuring consistent brand execution in partnership with local teams.
• Lead international agency relationships and ecosystem, leveraging the scale of Ferrara to disrupt the confection category globally.
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships covering global senior leadership, regional & local employees, third party distributors as well as global and local agencies.
• Drive projects forward with a culture of collaboration, with multiple stakeholders including local markets and counterparts in manufacturing, operations, finance, R&D, commercialization and supply. 
• Support the on-going management, continued evolution, and application of the international growth strategy, providing respective inputs into key senior level decision forums.
  Preparation for relevant senior leadership share outs.
• Own rigorous tracking of budget and understand the P&L impact.
• Lead 1 marketeer.

Skills that will make you successful

• Strong leadership: ability to inspire, motivate, and guide resources to a common goal and vision
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: empathy, integrity, enthusiasm, collaborative, driving consensus
• Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong listening skills and ability to work with senior leaders – inside and outside of the organization - to understand their goals and objectives
• Strategic thinking: able to “see around corners”, synthesize insights from disparate data sources, and form convicted, high-accountability recommendations
• Desire to be a supportive and proactive business partner across the organization

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred
• 10+ years’ experience in brand marketing or applicable consulting roles
• 5+ years of people management experience 
• Min 3+ years of experience working on international, global, multicultural projects
• FMCG industry expertise required 
• Proven track record of agency management, media campaigns, marketing activations
• Experience in managing brands & innovation pipelines in FMCG
• Knowledge of regional/local consumer insights, media, trade, and regulatory landscapes

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $128,850 to $180,390 annually.