Marketing-Brand Manager

• Own the strategy that turns a local Ballarat favourite into a market leader
• Family owned Ballarat business, backed by 30 years of innovation
• Have real Commercial Influence, work directly with the Sales Manager and CEO to shape decisions that matter to the bottom line.

What if the next big idea in confectionery came from Ballarat, not a global boardroom?

Ferndale Foods Australia makes some of the mints, gum and pastilles Australians grew up with, JILA, JOLS, LICORETTE and So Soft, a marshmallow brand that’s already carved out a strong position in the market with plenty of room to grow. They have been doing it from Ballarat for 30 years, 100% family owned, in a market full of big name competitors. This is your chance to build Ferndale’s voice from the ground up and make it genuinely stand out, backed by a business that’s never compromised on quality since day one. They know their customers better than anyone else in the market, and now they need someone who can turn that into a presence people notice.

Ferndale are looking for a Marketing Brand Manager to own where that innovation goes next. This role sits at the centre of the business, working directly with the Sales Manager and CEO to shape brand strategy, leading their Social Media Manager to bring that strategy to life online. If you want real ownership over how a portfolio of loved Australian brands grow, this is that role.

About the role:

• Brand Strategy: Own brand strategy and planning across a full portfolio, making the calls that shape how each brand grows and where it’s positioned in a competitive market.
• Product & Innovation Management: Own NPD from concept to launch, partnering with R&D and operations, managing packaging refreshes and portfolio decisions, keeping Ferndale ahead of trends and compliant with regulatory and retailer requirements.
• Consumer & Market insights: Uncovering customer insights that go beyond the numbers, helping sharpen how Ferndale position their brands and speak to the people buying them.
• Trade & Customer Marketing: Partnering closely with Sales to build retailer specific promotions that land, supporting major customer presentations and category reviews, and creating the POS materials and growth plans that keep Ferndale strong on shelf.
• Campaign & Communications Management: Managing campaigns and communications end to end, from strategy and planning through to execution, across every channel that matters.
• Financial management: Manage annual brand budgets and take ownership of sales, profit and market share targets against clear KPIs. Keep promotional spend and marketing investment focused, and build strong business cases for new launches and major initiatives.
• Cross – Functional Leadership: Partnering closely with the Sales Manager and CEO on commercial priorities, so your marketing thinking directly shapes business decisions

About you:

• You have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or commerce.
• Strong experience in brand management within FMCG or food and beverage; you might be looking to take ownership of a broader portfolio, or you might be ready to step up into a role with genuine strategic influence and autonomy.
• Solid experience across trade and customer marketing, customer insights and campaign management, coupled with the commercial judgement to know which opportunities are worth backing.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to manage brand budgets, deliver against KPIs and build sound business cases, alongside excellent communication skills to build strong relationships with retailers and stakeholders.
• An ability to think strategically while staying close to execution; you can set the direction and trust your judgement, but you’re just as comfortable getting into the detail when it matters.
• A genuine commitment to innovation and quality, with the confidence to spot where the market is heading and move before your competitors do.

Why join Ferndale Foods Australia?

• Have real influence, shape brand strategy at a business where your ideas reach the CEO’s desk.
• Be part of an innovation led company that’s never stopped evolving in 30 years, with more growth ahead
• Take on a broad portfolio of quality products. Lead brand strategy across a genuinely diverse range of loved products, not just one
• Ferndale Foods is family owned and proud. Be a part of a business that’s never compromised on quality.
• Embrace the Ballarat roots, join a business that’s proudly invested in its local community for three decades

Inspired? For further information, contact Ange Connor or Kate O’Connell on 03 5331 1734
To apply, please click the apply for position’ button. Applications close at close of business Monday 7th September 2026.