Product Marketing Associate - HiChew Brand [Hybrid]

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

As a Product Marketing Associate for the Hi-Chew brand, you'll be responsible for working alongside Sr. Product Marketing Manager and Product specialists with the planning, development, and coordination of Morinaga’s products and other product marketing-related activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists in the management of the company’s product portfolio and innovation pipeline, including the planning and development of new products.
• Leads projects end-to-end, collaborating with cross-functional partners to meet key milestones and ensure on-time completion, including new product development, product renovation, and packaging updates.
• Contributes to and occasionally initiate new product ideation that stems from understanding of market trends, consumer segments, and the competitive landscape.
• Accurately completes required technical documentation, schedules, and testing to support successful product launches.
• Drives cross-functional discussions and communication throughout the product and project development process, ensuring alignment among key stakeholders and proactively flagging potential issues.
• Reviews and approves product and packaging details to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to quality standards.
• Manages product mockups, renderings, sell sheets, and other marketing collaterals, and develop compelling sales decks that incorporate market trends and consumer insights to clearly and effectively communicate product value.
• Leads communication with packaging suppliers and vendor partners to source and approve materials at competitive costs, driving continuous improvement and maintaining company quality standards.
• Partners with external agencies to conduct primary research and build skills needed to analyze and interpret secondary research.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and maintain confidential information.
• Maintains high ethical standards in the workplace.
• Maintains good communication with other managers, staff & outside contacts.
• Professional appearance and demeanor, with the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures while upholding and demonstrating the Company’s values internally and externally.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
• Carries out special projects and other duties as assigned by your supervisor or senior management in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• This position is hourly.

COMPETENCIES

Customer Focus, Problem Solving, Innovation, Adaptability & Collaboration

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or closely related field.
• 2+ years’ experience in product marketing or project management.
• Knowledge of product feedback loop processes and project management tools.

EXPERIENCE

• Proficiency in Windows operating system, Microsoft Office applications, and familiarity with the basics of Adobe Illustrator.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, demonstrating the ability to collaborate and prepare communications, presentations, reports, and recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong analytical ability, attention to detail, and organization skills.
• Working knowledge of the product launch process and/or project management.
• A problem solver who’s comfortable with ambiguity and deadline pressures.
• Experience in high-growth company with focus on execution.
• Involvement in product or feature launches in a confectionary/food environment, preferred.
• Ability to collaborate remotely and on site with different team members across various functions and departments as well as work independently.
• A willingness and desire to take on new things as the organization changes and grows.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional air and car travel will be required; may require traveling outside of the U.S.

MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE

All interaction, results, and position-related skills will be measured through oral and written performance reviews.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work is performed remotely and onsite in a professional office environment with quiet to moderate noise levels. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices.

This is a full-time position. Typical days and hours of work are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some flexibility in hours is allowed. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must regularly talk, hear, sit, and occasionally stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move products up to 15 pounds or achieve through another method, such as a dolly, cart, or assistance.

Specific vision abilities include the ability to read and analyze data in hard copy and on a computer screen, measure or identify using eyesight, and adjust vision focus.

The above job description identifies the essential job functions and skills needed by the person or persons assigned to this position. These job functions are not intended to be a complete and exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The information contained herein may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Company. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

Pay: $26.00 - $31.00 per hour

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 4% Match
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Irvine, CA 92614