Brand Assistant, DCS Sweets

Brand Analyst, Sweets DCS

Hershey, PA

The S&R DCS team is responsible for driving innovation, brand strategy, and whitespace growth across Hershey's sweets and refreshment categories including Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Sour Strips, Shaq-a-licious, Ice Breakers, Bubble Yum, Breath Savers, and related seasonal assortments.

The Brand Analyst will be responsible for assisting the DCS Sweets Innovation team on specific projects and activities in support of the business. The responsibilities will involve supporting Associate Brand Managers (ABMs) and Brand Managers (BMs) in both strategic and operational marketing work to get a holistic introduction to marketing and opportunity to build a diverse skillset

The ideal candidate is someone who can hit the ground running by being very effective at:

• Ideation support and coordination - Support coordinating with agencies (including AI partners) through RFP and set-up, and ensuring all deliverables are received
• Assist in innovation project management (with BM and ABM) and collaborate with cross functional partners including R&D, engineering, brand teams, finance, and operations
• Innovation pipeline fill management: Manage records of previously tested innovation concepts with possibility of leading projects through early-stage gate process while also leading renders, initial creative with third party agencies
• Weekly business tracking - Analyzing IRI data to assist in understanding performance of recent Hershey and competitive Innovations and key drivers of performance. Assisting with ad hoc retail business analysis on an ongoing basis.
• Initiative trackers: Provide assistance in updating initiative trackers (ex. Design updates for Innovation, DME Innovation spends, and other program management as needed)
• Utilize trend tracking via tools like Innova/Datassentials and monitor internal metrics to stay on top of other social media product trends to inspire future innovations.
• Ad hoc support for Senior Leadership team: (ex. Brand Planning materials, Tableau dashboard builds, or ECDF projects)

Education:

Bachelor's degree required (preferably Business, Commerce)

Experience/Skills:

• Strong analytical ability; able to use multiple sources of data and put together data visualizations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong marketing, finance, and commercial understanding and intuition
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks effectively
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional business units
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI); ability to learn new systems
• Analytical and project management experience is a plus.
• Experience with food and beverage flavor development also a plus.