For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Sr Manager, Digital Operations

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 Sr. Manager, Digital Operations is an essential leader in the strategy and further development on Ferrara’s in-house agency. They are responsible for leading the digital operations and project management of all internally executed content, creative, eCommerce, shopper, Public Relations and tentpole initiatives at Ferrara. They will serve as the central connector across departments, aligning internal and external stakeholders to ensure a cohesive, omnichannel approach across a wide range of projects. This individual manages programs from inception through delivery—ensuring each initiative is grounded in the brief, aligned with business objectives, and executed with operational excellence.

This person’s work impacts large audiences and is essential to achieving each brand’s business goals. This role reports to the Sr. Director, Content & Public Relations.

Ways you will make a difference

  • Leads the strategic vision and framework for the 1908x content, PR, and creative teams, positioning them as a high-performing in-house agency
  • Responsible for architecting and continuously refining the tools, processes, and capabilities that enable the internal agency team to deliver impactful, integrated work across the Ferrara ecosystem. They are both a product architect and an implementer.
  • Leads the strategic planning and execution of all internally managed initiatives across the Brand Marketing department, Content team, eCommerce department, Sales Strategy & Shopper Marketing department, Public Relations team, and key tentpole campaigns at Ferrara. Ensures internal agency projects are delivered on time, on strategy, and at the highest standard of quality.
  • Unifies cross-functional talent with diverse subject matter expertise to unlock operational efficiencies and deliver cost savings for the organization.
  • Optimizes systems to ensure seamless collaboration, resource alignment, and strategic execution across all touchpoints. Scout technologies and workflow systems.
  • Oversees team’s hours tracker and additional tools that allow the team to work as efficient as possible.
  • Defines the in-house execution strategy, establishes clear guardrails for what the team could deliver internally and accountable for cost avoidance tracking.
  • Leads the development of a cross-department strategy and execution of marketing acumen building inter-department. Uncovers white space learning opportunities for Ferrara and develops plan to upskill teams. 

Skills that will make you successful

  • Highly proficient in the content creation process
  • Experience working with project management tools
  • Must have a growth mindset
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills
  • Exceptional collaboration skills
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills
  • High levels of energy, creativity and enthusiasm
  • Strong sense of ownership and accountability over results
  • Comfortable operating in highly dynamic and ever-changing environments

Experiences that will support your success

  • Bachelor’s degree required, with 8 - 10 years in a content, project management, agency account management or communications role
  • Project management certification preferred
  • Experience working at an in-house agency or managing multiple creative, social, digital or shopper agencies
  • Experience working in content production both with internal stakeholders and external vendors/freelancers
  • Experience working within a dynamic cross-functional team environment, navigating objectives to drive priority and deliver breakthrough results
  • Experience developing processes and ways of working that resulted in efficiencies
  • Experience planning and executing high profile integrated campaigns
  • Experience measuring and evaluating digital KPIs

 

 

#LI-Hybrid

 

 

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 $112,500 - $157,000 annually.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.


Nearest Major Market: Chicago