General Mills: Making Food the World Loves
At General Mills, our purpose is simple: to make food the world loves. But we’re more than just a food company. We’re a place that champions being a force for good, where you can continuously learn, explore new perspectives, and reimagine possibilities every day.
We’re looking for individuals who bring their best selves – bold thinkers with big hearts who are ready to challenge and grow with us. Because to become the undisputed leader in food, we know we need to surround ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.
About the Job: Associate Brand Manager (Leadership Development Program)
At General Mills, Brand Management is central to our business. Our Brand Leadership Development Program (BLDP) is designed to cultivate the next generation of brand leaders. It offers multiple Associate Brand Manager (ABM) rotations across our North America and Pet Segment businesses.
Through a structured learning curriculum, hands-on experience, and direct ownership of multi-million-dollar brands, BLDP participants gain crucial brand leadership skills. You’ll learn to build brands, run businesses, and lead teams, preparing you for future leadership roles. As an ABM, you’ll lead cross-functional teams, make high-impact business decisions, and develop innovative brand marketing strategies that drive growth and brand equity.
To ensure a strong onboarding experience and set you up for success in this competitive program, we require participants to be located with their teams in Minneapolis. Given the fast-paced nature of the BLDP and frequent transitions (typically every 12-18 months), being in Minneapolis is essential for building relationships, accelerating your development, and integrating seamlessly into the broader business. Relocation benefits will be provided for selected candidates not currently based in Minneapolis.
Collaboration is vital for the success of our team members, our teams, and our business. Therefore, this role requires you to work in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. Our policy offers flexibility for personal and business schedules, allowing for flexible work locations on Mondays and Fridays.
What You’ll Do
As an Associate Brand Manager in the BLDP, you’ll focus on three key areas:
Build Brands
- Develop and execute brand strategies that genuinely connect with consumers through modern marketing approaches.
- Work closely with Consumer Insights to uncover trends and identify innovative business opportunities.
- Lead purpose-driven brand-building initiatives that align with our growth strategies.
Run Businesses
- Own and manage P&Ls, driving revenue growth, profit, and market share for your assigned brand.
- Influence key decisions across the 4 Ps—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion.
- Oversee demand planning and forecasting by leveraging deep business insights.
- Lead product innovation and commercialization initiatives that drive brand success.
Lead Teams
- Act as the “hub of the wheel,” leading cross-functional teams spanning sales, R&D, finance, and operations.
- Partner with Sales to develop compelling customer strategies that drive category growth.
- Execute brand-building, innovation, and business model ideas that shape the future of our brands.
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of proven experience in Brand Marketing, Finance, Sales, Consulting, or a leadership development program, demonstrating a clear track record of impact and results.
- Demonstrated success working in a large, matrixed organization, with a strong grasp of P&L mechanics and strategic decision-making.
- Proven analytical skills to assess complex data, generate actionable insights, and shape robust business strategies.
- Showcased ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage projects effectively, and drive execution against strategic objectives.
- Strong communication and influencing skills with a history of successfully aligning teams and stakeholders.
- A bias for action, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA (or actively pursuing one).
- Experience in Brand Marketing, CPG, the Pet Industry, or other consumer-driven industries.
- Ability to balance short-term performance with long-term brand health.
- Experience with forecasting, strategic revenue management, and commercialization.
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